Prevalence of respiratory abnormalities and spirometric disparities among construction workers in Tangail, Bangladesh

Background: Occupational exposure is a significant factor for having respiratory symptoms and impairment of lung function in the working population. Construction workers impose a great risk of respiratory diseases since they continuously expose to construction hazards at their working place. The objective of this study was to explore the status of respiratory health of construction workers as well as correlation of blood parameters with it.Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted among construction workers along with the control group (university staffs) by randomly selecting 50 individuals in each group from September 2019 to February 2020 in Tangail, Bangladesh. Questionaries’ survey was executed followed by spirometry and oximetry. After confirming abnormalities of lung function, blood was drawn for further IgE, ESR, and CRP analysis.Results: Significantly (p<0.05) higher percentage of respiratory symptoms such as dyspnea (24%), coughing (30%), sneezing (40%), discomfort of chest (18%) were found in construction workers. In addition, lung function (FVC, FEV1, FEV1%, PEF, PEF%, FEF25, and FEF2575) was significantly (p<0.05) lower in construction workers compared with control. Furthermore, both IgE (353.57±25.41) and ESR (17.87±5.25) also reported a marked rise in the number of construction workers (p<0.05).Conclusions: It can be concluded from our study that construction hazards might the cause of prevalent respiratory symptoms, decreased lung function, and increased inflammatory markers such as IgE and ESR.

CLASSIFICATION OF CONSTRUCTION HAZARDS FOR A UNIVERSAL HAZARD IDENTIFICATION METHODOLOGY

Hazard identification in the construction industry is subject to a larger number of variables and unknowns than in other manufacturing industries making the hazard identification process more difficult and resulting in many injuries and fatalities. Moreover, previous research identified a research gap with regards to a universal hazard identification method. The results presented in this paper are a prerequisite for the development of such a method. Specifically, this paper proposes a novel classification of hazards in order to enable a more accurate hazard identification process which can take all possible hazards into consideration. Based on the theoretical framework, three hazard types are proposed in the research: self-induced hazards, peer-induced hazards, and global hazards. This classification is based on who is the source (who causes) the hazards in relation to who is affected by the hazards. Such classification was not identified in previous literature. This research also has practical implications. Such classification of hazards may influence safety experts to more actively focus on peer-induced hazards which are the hardest to identify. Finally, the outputs of the entire research should enable a more accurate and comprehensive hazard identification resulting in reduced injury and fatality rates in the construction industry.

Construction Hazard Investigation Leveraging Object Anatomization on an Augmented Photoreality Platform

Hazard investigation education plays a crucial role in equipping students with adequate knowledge and skills to avoid or eliminate construction hazards at workplaces. With the emergence of various visualization technologies, virtual photoreality as well as 3D virtual reality have been adopted and proved advantageous to various educational disciplines. Despite the significant benefits of providing an engaging and immersive learning environment to promote construction education, recent research has also pointed out that virtual photoreality lacks a 3D object anatomization tools to support learning, while 3D-virtual reality cannot provide a real-world environment. In recent years, research efforts have studied virtual reality applications separately, and there is a lack of research integrating these technologies to overcome limitations and maximize advantages for enhancing learning outcomes. In this regard, the paper develops a construction hazard investigation system leveraging object anatomization on an Interactive Augmented Photoreality platform (iAPR). The proposed iAPR system integrates virtual photoreality with 3D-virtual reality. The iAPR consists of three key learning modules, namely Hazard Understanding Module (HUM), Hazard Recognition Module (HRM), and Safety Performance Module (SPM), which adopt the revised Bloom’s taxonomy theory. A prototype is developed and evaluated objectively through interactive system trials with educators, construction professionals, and learners. The findings demonstrate that the iAPR platform has significant pedagogic methods to improve learner’s construction hazard investigation knowledge and skills, which improve safety performance.

A Model for External Walls Selection in Hot and Humid Climates

Literature review shows that, to date, no local based method has been developed for evaluation of optimal wall constructions in a hot and humid climate from architects’ point of view. Hence, this study aims at developing a multi factor optimization model (MFOM) for comparative selection of opaque wall construction in a hot and humid climate based on four main evaluation criterion namely energy efficiency, thermal comfort, moisture control, and cost efficiency. In order to indicate the application of the MFOM, a case study methodology was employed in Kish Island, Iran, which is characterized by a hot and humid climate. Both qualitative and quantitative research methods were employed in the research process including literature and field survey, computer simulation, thermal, moisture and economic analysis finalized with a simple multi attribute rating technique (SMART) grading the outputs for final assessment. According to the results, it can be deducted that the application of the MFOM has the potential to save cost and energy, improve the thermal quality of the indoor environment while predicting the possible construction hazards posed by condensation in hot and humid climates.

Relative Importance of Factors Affecting Construction Hazards in the Design Phase

dentifying the root causes of construction accidents has indicated that not only contractors but designers and architectures are capable of influencing construction workers safety. The aim of this study is to investigate and prioritize factors affecting construction hazards in the design phase. To achieve the aim of this study, a questionnaire survey was distributed among respondents randomly selected from construction sites within Malaysia. Relative Importance Index method was used to prioritize factors in order of level of effect on construction hazards. The results indicated that Lack of designers safety knowledge, Lack of designers knowledge about construction processes and Late involvement of constructors in the design process have the highest level of effect while Lack of safety organizations which evaluates the safety level of design and Few application of components' prefabrication have the lowest level of effect on hazards in the design phase of construction projects.

Relative Importance of Hazards at Construction Sites

Construction hazard identification is one of the fundamental steps in construction safety management therefore identifying hazards and determining their severities of consequences are extremely important. The aim of this study is to investigate and rank the construction hazards in order of the severity of consequences. The data for this study were collected using a questionnaire survey, distributed among respondents randomly selected from construction sites within Malaysia. The results of this study indicated that the most critical construction hazards are Awkward postures, Forceful exertions and Physical injury hazards which originate from process of work and manual handling of operations and equipments. On the contrary Blue green algae and Fungi are the least critical construction hazards which are not critical threats to the safety and health of construction workers. In addition to training and educational purposes, the results of this study can be used in preparing appropriate construction safety and health plans.

Warning System Analysis for Highway Construction Disaster

This paper discusses the highway construction disasters and the impact, then analyzes the mechanism of highway construction hazards, which is mainly about the leading to disaster causes and the composition of its specific factors, finally, based on the above-mentioned disasters mainly discusses the construction of early warning system for highway hazards, mainly includes disaster warning organization mode and operation mode, this mode could reduce the hazards arising or reduce economic losses through the model.