Hossain, M M; Ahmed, S; Anam, S M A; Baxramovna, I A; Meem, T I; Sobuz, M H R and Haq, I (2025) BIM-based smart safety monitoring system using a mobile app: A case study in an ongoing construction site. Construction Innovation, 25(2), pp. 552-576. ISSN 1471-4175
Abstract
Purpose: Construction safety is a crucial aspect that has far-reaching impacts on economic development. But safety monitoring is often reliant on labor-based observations, which can be prone to errors and result in numerous fatalities annually. This study aims to address this issue by proposing a cloud-building information modeling (BIM)-based framework to provide real-time safety monitoring on construction sites to enhance safety practices and reduce fatalities. Design/methodology/approach: This system integrates an automated safety tracking mobile app to detect hazardous locations on construction sites, a cloud-based BIM system for visualization of worker tracking on a virtual construction site and a Web interface to visualize and monitor site safety. Findings: The study's results indicate that implementing a comprehensive automated safety monitoring approach is feasible and suitable for general indoor construction site environments. Furthermore, the assessment of an advanced safety monitoring system has been successfully implemented, indicating its potential effectiveness in enhancing safety practices in construction sites. Practical implications: By using this system, the construction industry can prevent accidents and fatalities, promote the adoption of new technologies and methods with minimal effort and cost and improve safety outcomes and productivity. This system can reduce workers' compensation claims, insurance costs and legal penalties, benefiting all stakeholders involved. Originality/value: To the best of the authors' knowledge, this study represents the first attempt in Bangladesh to develop a mobile app-based technological solution aimed at reforming construction safety culture by using BIM technology. This has the potential to change the construction sector's attitude toward accepting new technologies and cultures through its convenient choice of equipment.
| Item Type: | Article |
|---|---|
| Uncontrolled Keywords: | automated safety tracker; building information modeling; construction safety; GPS-based mobile app; smart safety monitoring system; web application |
| Index terms: | construction industry, fatalities, compensation, insurance, monitoring, Bangladesh, effectiveness, productivity, building information modelling, case study, new technology, visualization, construction safety, construction sector, methodology, construction site, economic development, penalty |
| Subjects: | performance management, design practice, management, health risk and incident analysis, information systems, environmental health, regulatory law, industry analysis, dispute resolution, control systems, data collection methods, work location, Geography, research methods, economic development, economic analysis, innovation and technology management |
| Topics: | Quality Management, Legal Issues, Engineering Principles, Geographical Context, Health and Safety, Sustainability, Digital Applications, Design Practice, Site Management, Research Practice, Business Strategy |
| Descriptive scope: | 4 PCTE |
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