Automated human-centric construction dust alert system for construction workers: field test operation and technical review

Abstract Due to the dust generated by construction activities, workers are particularly vulnerable to health and safety risks. Although studies on the management of construction dust are limited, this topic is gaining increasing attention owing to the growing emphasis on construction safety and health. This study aims to develop worker-centered technology to more effectively manage construction dust. A human-centric automated dust monitoring system was developed to protect workers from high dust concentration. The system utilizes an IoT sensor network and real-time GPS data measured via workers’ smartphones to automatically alert them when they are exposed to high-concentration dust events. The system was tested at a construction site to verify its performance and identify any technical limitations. The significance of this study lies not only in establishing an efficient way to monitor dust over a broad range of construction sites but also in implementing a previously unavailable human-centric dust monitoring system.