Kodikara Edirisinghe, R. and Gunathilake, L. (2026) An IoT-based heat stress management system for the construction industry. Engineering, Construction and Architectural Management, 33(3), pp. 2200-2219. ISSN 0969-9988
Abstract
Purpose – Alarming statistics underscore the pressing need for effective heat stress management strategies for the construction industry. Validated, holistic systems are lacking. This paper presents the usability of a technological solution that generates early warnings to proactively manage heat stress conditions. Design/methodology/approach – Theoretical frameworks guiding technology design, development and validation proposed in this paper are based on the principles of technology readiness levels (TRL). The system encompasses two types of heat stress indicators: environmental and workers' temperature data. Portable weather stations generate a hierarchy of environmental measurements at multiple levels at various work zones. Internet of Things (IoT) enabled smart vests monitor construction workers' body temperature in real-time. A web-based system and a smartphone app enable data visualization. The system was deployed on residential construction sites, and usability was evaluated using the strong theoretical frameworks of the technology acceptance model (TAM) and System Usability Scale (SUS). Perceptions of both construction workers and management personnel were captured. Findings – The usability test provided valuable insights into the effectiveness and practicality of the system. Both construction workers and management provided positive feedback, indicating that the system was user-friendly and enhanced their awareness of thermal conditions on site. The integration of individual temperature monitoring with environmental data has proven to be beneficial for managing heat stress. Originality/value – This study contributes by providing a validated innovative system that monitors thermal conditions on construction sites using smart personal protective equipment (PPE) and IoT technology. The proposed system, tailored to the construction industry, enables the combining of personal and environmental data to comprehensively and effectively understand thermal conditions. This approach has the potential to reduce heat-related incidents and improve overall worker safety and productivity.
| Item Type: | Article |
|---|---|
| Uncontrolled Keywords: | construction safety; innovation; productivity; technology |
| Index terms: | monitoring, personal protective equipment, residential construction, effectiveness, construction worker, statistics, construction industry, internet, technology acceptance model, heat stress, management strategy, productivity, methodology, integration, validation, construction safety, weather, personnel, management system, construction site, usability, web-based system, data visualization, early warning, body temperature |
| Subjects: | work location, health monitoring assessment and metrics, data science, user-centered design, mathematical modelling, air quality, control systems, computing systems, occupational health and safety management, organizational analysis, environmental health, industry analysis, performance management, construction integration, management, professional development, digital technology, practitioner, research methods, financial risk, acoustic properties |
| Topics: | Quality Management, Engineering Principles, Health and Safety, Sustainability, Human Resources, Design Practice, Digital Applications, Organizational Design, Site Management, Research Practice, Information Management, Cost Management, Business Strategy, Roles and Professions |
| Descriptive scope: | 4 PCTA |
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