Chellappa, V and Luximon, Y (2026) Computer-aided technologies for posture-based ergonomic risk assessment in construction: A systematic review. International Journal of Construction Management, 26(2), pp. 316-331. ISSN 1562-3599
Abstract
The limitations of traditional postural ergonomic risk assessment (ERA) methods prompted the construction research community to turn to computer-aided technologies (CATs) for assistance. However, a comprehensive review is lacking to systematically examine the application of CATs for ERA in this context. This study aimed to understand the CATs used for ERA and their implementation trends, evaluate their technological capabilities, and practical applications, identify critical gaps in current research, and provide actionable insights. The systematic literature review (SLR) followed the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) protocol to retrieve relevant documents from the Scopus and Web of Science (WoS) databases. Based on the researcher's pre-established inclusion criteria, 85 papers were retrieved and subsequently analyzed through a content analysis approach. The findings revealed eight CATs adopted for ERA in construction wearable sensors, vision-based, machine learning/deep learning, exoskeletons, expert systems, virtual reality, computer-aided design, and digital twins. Further, the analysis uncovered various benefits and limitations of implementing each technology and identified critical gaps in the existing research. The findings emphasize the need for future research to address these gaps, explore broader applications, and integrate innovative solutions to enhance worker occupational health and well-being within the construction domain.
| Item Type: | Article |
|---|---|
| Uncontrolled Keywords: | computer-aided technologies; construction industry; ergonomics; musculoskeletal disorders |
| Index terms: | systematic literature review, construction industry, virtual reality, technological capability, occupational health, machine learning, expert system, content analysis, documents, science, implementation, ergonomics, well-being, computer aided design, risk assessment, meta-analysis, wearable sensor, database, digital twin, deep learning |
| Subjects: | computational design, professional development, specialized education, data analysis and analytics, contractual arrangements, virtual reality, artificial intelligence, data management, digital engineering, financial risk, innovation and technology management, computer vision, occupational health and safety management, research evaluation and metrics, mental health and wellbeing, industry analysis |
| Topics: | Engineering Principles, Procurement, Research Practice, Cost Management, Education, Health and Safety, Information Management, Digital Applications |
| Descriptive scope: | 5 PCTEA |
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