Assessing the importance of implementing wearable technologies for construction employees in the Sri Lankan context

Abstract

Occupational Safety and Health (OSH) is important in the construction industry, as it can help ensure the physical, mental and social well-being of workers when performing work-related tasks. Wearable Safety Devices (WSDs) can proactively detect hazards and perform real-time surveillance, enabling the elimination and control of risks and improved safety outcomes. As useful as it is, there are a few things that affect adoption, such as high initial costs, lack of understanding and privacy concerns. This study identifies wearables technology applications that apply to construction. Based on the outcomes, Sri Lankan construction workers exhibited a preference for wearable technologies. Participants in the construction industry provide data via a questionnaire survey, which is then analysed and prioritised using the Relative Importance Index (RII) for wearable technology applications. The key finding from the document identifies that smart shoe for roofing work, smart glasses for dust particles and smart helmets for working at heights are the most prioritised wearable technologies in the Sri Lankan construction industry for enhancing OSH practices. In addition, this study provides insights into how essential it is to introduce wearable technology, from the point of view of overall safety and health implantation practices in the Sri Lankan construction industry and emphasises the importance of a systematic implementation approach suited to the needs and challenges of this region.