Yue, H; Ye, G; Liu, Q; Yang, X; Xiang, Q and Luo, Y (2024) Impact of cognitive fatigue on attention and the implications for construction safety: A neuroscientific perspective. Journal of Construction Engineering and Management, 150(8): 04024102, ISSN 0733-9364
Abstract
The global concern over fatigue in construction professionals, leading to diminished attention, unsafe behaviors, and even accidents, has escalated. Existing research on the impact of fatigue on attention has predominantly focused on qualitative behavioral aspects, relying extensively on self-reported measures and subjective assessments, resulting in interpretations with strong subjectivity and occasionally inconsistent findings. This study bridges this gap by adopting a neural perspective, utilizing a comprehensive quantitative measurement approach that integrates EEG (electroencephalograms), behavioral tests, and subjective rating scales. This interdisciplinary approach attempts to explore the neural mechanisms underlying the impact of fatigue on the attention of construction professionals, considering the regulatory effects of effort. Twenty participants from the construction sector were enlisted to undertake a 60-min Oddball cognitive task. The results indicate that as cognitive fatigue intensifies, the pattern of attention decline exhibits a slow-fast-slow trajectory. Initially, the dominance of effort is observed, which transitions to a stage where resource consumption takes precedence. In the later stage, participants tend to prioritize expediency over accuracy. The study synthesizes these outcomes to delve into the neural mechanisms of fatigue's impact on attention, addressing the distinct phases, underlying mechanisms, and functions of attention. Moreover, it provides actionable recommendations to elevate attention levels and enhance safety in the construction industry, serving as a valuable guide for practical applications and further research in construction safety management.
| Item Type: | Article |
|---|---|
| Uncontrolled Keywords: | attention; construction professionals; effort; electroencephalograms; fatigue; neuroscientific perspective |
| Index terms: | construction sector, construction safety, accuracy, fatigue, subjectivity, unsafe behaviour, construction industry, resource consumption, construction professional |
| Subjects: | environmental resource management, human factors and perception, health conditions and diseases, industry analysis, environmental health, financial risk, professional development |
| Topics: | Cost Management, Health and Safety, Research Practice, Information Management, Sustainability |
| Descriptive scope: | 3 PCT |
N.B. Descriptive scope is a count of how many of the five facets of empirical research are indicated by the words used in title, abstract and keywords. It is not intended as a judgement on the research; merely a count of the kind of word we would expect to indicate Phenomenon, Concepts, Theoretical framing, Empirical techniques, Analytical techniques. If all five are present, then a code of “5 PCTEA” will indicate this. If you feel the coding for this record is questionable, we welcome discussion around the terms we matched or the way we categorized them. The facet you would expect may not be coded, or a facet may be coded inappropriately. This can also bear on a larger question, of which facets should be treated as defining in construction management research. Please get in touch, and we will look at it. More details here