Virtual Fence System Based on IoT Paradigm to Prevent Occupational Accidents in the Construction Sector

María del Carmen Rey-Merchán, Jesús M. Gómez- de-Gabriel, Antonio López-Arquillos and Juan A. Fernández-Madrigal
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María del Carmen Rey-Merchán: PhD Program Advanced Computing, Energy and Plasmas, University of Córdoba, 14071 Córdoba, Spain
Jesús M. Gómez- de-Gabriel: System Engineering and Automation Department, University of Málaga, 29071 Málaga, Spain
Antonio López-Arquillos: Economics and Business Management Department, University of Málaga, 29071 Málaga, Spain
Juan A. Fernández-Madrigal: System Engineering and Automation Department, University of Málaga, 29071 Málaga, Spain

IJERPH, 2021, vol. 18, issue 13, 1-17

Abstract: Many occupational accidents in construction sites are caused by the intrusion of a worker into a hazardous area. Technological solutions based on RFID, BIM, or UWB can reduce accidents, but they still have some limitations.The aim of the current paper is to design and evaluate a new system of “virtual fences” based on Bluetooth Low-Energy (BLE) to avoid intrusions. First of all, the system was designed using a number of beacons, a Bayesian filter, a finite state machine, and an indicator. Secondly, its safety attributes were evaluated based on a scientific questionnaire by an expert panel following the staticized groups’ methodology. Results showed that the proposal is inexpensive and easy to integrate and configure. The selected experts evaluated positively all the attributes of the system, and provided valuable insights for further improvements. From the experts’ discussions, we concluded that successful adoption of this “virtual fence” system based on BLE beacons should consider the influence of factors such as cost savings, top management support, social acceptance, and compatibility and integration with existing systems, procedures, and company culture. In addition, legislation updates according to technical advances would help with successful adoption of any new safety system.

Keywords: IoT; BLE; beacons; accident; safety; worker; location; virtual fence (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2021
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