International conference on construction engineering and project management (국제학술발표논문집)

  • 2024.07a
  • /
  • Pages.879-886
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  • 2024
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  • 2508-9048(eISSN)
Korea Institute of Construction Engineering and Management (한국건설관리학회)
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Enhancing Construction Safety through Wearable Technology - A Study of Employee Acceptance and Adoption in the USACE

  • Karen E. CARNAGO (McWhorter School of Building Science, Auburn University) ;
  • Junshan LIU (McWhorter School of Building Science, Auburn University) ;
  • Scott KRAMER (McWhorter School of Building Science, Auburn University)
  • Published : 2024.07.29
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Abstract

In the dynamic construction industry, particularly within the United States Army Corps of Engineers (USACE), ensuring worker safety in high-risk environments is a critical challenge. This study explores the integration of wearable technology in construction safety, focusing on its potential to enhance personal protective equipment (PPE). The primary goal of this study is to understand the factors influencing USACE employees' acceptance and adoption of wearable technology. Additionally, the research aims to assess the experiences of employees who have already used such technology to identify its practical benefits and levels of user satisfaction. A mixed-method approach was employed to gather qualitative insights from interviews with USACE safety experts and quantitative data from an online survey of USACE personnel. The findings indicate a general reluctance among workers to adopt wearable technology for monitoring work activities, mainly due to privacy concerns, usability issues, and perceived additional workload. However, there is interest in technologies that provide direct safety benefits, such as hazard alerts. This study illuminates the gap between the potential benefits of wearable technology and its current level of acceptance in the construction industry. It identifies the need for strategies to enhance worker acceptance and offers recommendations for future research.

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