Draft 1

Title: Implementation of sensor-based technology and Data Mining Technology in Construction Sites to improve WSH statistics 

 1. Introduction

This report has been developed in response to Workplace Health and Safety (WSH) request for proposals to improve safety in a construction site in Singapore. This proposal focuses how technology such as Heat and Motion Sensors and Data Mining Technology mitigates the challenges of working on a typical site in Singapore and how it can benefit the various stakeholders.

1.1 Background

Definition

Workplace Safety and Health (WSH) is a multidisciplinary field concerned with protecting the health and safety of all stakeholders in a workplace from exposure to hazards, mishaps and risks resulting from work activities. (https://www.mom.gov.sg/workplace-safety-and-health)

How is the Problem Identified – Alarming Statistics despite having set Campaign

In Singapore, a WSH Council launched a campaign in 2019 to make Singapore one of the safest workplaces in the world by 2028. (https://www.todayonline.com/commentary/why-singapores-new-approach-workplace-safety-and-health-matters-you) Titled ‘WSH2028’, it aims to achieve a fatal injury rate of less than 1 per 100,000 workers. However, the Minister of State for Manpower and National Development Zaky Mohamad identified that there has been a rising number of workplace deaths in the first quarter of 2020. Up to 400 inspections have been conducted so far in response to the three fatalities that have occurred. (https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/mom-reminds-firms-to-ensure-workplace-safety) It is also evident in a press release from 2019 that ‘Fall from Height’ remains as the leading cause of fatal injuries and ‘Slip, Trip and Fall’ for  major and minor injuries. (https://www.mom.gov.sg/newsroom/press-releases/2019/0930-fewer-fatalities-but-more-non-fatal-injuries-in-first-half-of-2019) 

Related Issues (Gap) – Extreme Weather Conditions & Inevitable Long Work Hours

These unsettling statistics are mainly due to the challenge of combatting the extreme weather conditions in Singapore and working through inevitable long operating hours. Firstly, Singapore’s hot and humid weather can put construction workers at an increased risk of heat stress, especially for those who are not acclimatised to working in hot weather. Supervisors on site are to watch out for heat stress symptoms in workers. However, it is possible for them to fail to do so. According to Ministry of Manpower (MOM), an employer was heavily fined for failing to take adequate measures to prevent a workplace fatality from heatstroke. (https://www.mom.gov.sg/-/media/mom/documents/safety-health/circulars/2012/circular-20120815-managing-heat-stress-in-the-workplace.pdf?la=en&hash=8C0FC9674D57A01D742BD8C04D3BB2EE) Secondly, due to meeting deadlines in a rigorous schedule, working hours on site can be longer than 8 hours a day which leads to extreme fatigue to construction workers. According to a study by Transient Workers Count Too (2017), a tired workers’ attention may be cloudier, his reflexes slower and the temptation to take shortcuts increase. (http://twc2.org.sg/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/workfatigue_report_final5.pdf) The consequences of these challenges goes to show that if not sufficiently mitigated, the state of workplace safety in Singapore might worsen.

What Has Been Written About The Issue Before

Currently, there are existing measures that are taking place to implement WSH on site. Upon MOM taking issue with safety officers not enforcing stronger security measures, measures have been set out which revolves around training manpower. The Continuing Professional Development Programme (CPD) was carried out to provide proper training and skills to safety officers. Enrolling officers, workers and trainees in Accredited Course also exposes them to relevant coursework. (https://www.constructionsingapore.com/construction-safety-path-singapore-must-take/) These trainings will increase their ability to regulate workflow and improve construction safety.

Who Are The Main Stakeholders and How Are They Impacted – Construction Companies (Awarded project tenders) & WSH (Astray from Campaign target)

One of the parties that would be negatively affected by bad WSH statistics is the construction companies themselves, in terms of functioning as a business. According to Mr John Ng, the head of the Workplace Safety and Healthy (WSH) Council, the award tender system in Singapore is traditionally based on the lowest quote and that the evaluation of contracts rarely take into consideration of safety performance of the contractors. (https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/committee-proposes-tougher-measures-for-companies-with-poor-workplace-safety-records) However, in the recent years, the Ministry of Manpower (MOM) is driving towards greater transparency on business’ safety performances where companies may find it more beneficial to invest in good safety practises. Good Workplace Safety statistics reflects the company dedicated team effort and that they have the manpower to execute procedures proficiently. (https://www.ehstoday.com/safety/article/21916148/for-a-successful-project-put-safety-first) 

These efforts will be recognised by the WSH Council and as shown in 2020, a total of 190 companies and individuals have received awards that highlight excellence in WSH. (https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/190-companies-and-individuals-recognised-at-annual-workplace-safety-and-health-awards) These awards highlights company’s reputation in the industry and their business opportunities of being awarded projects. Another party that may be directly affected by bad WSH statistics is the WSH Council themselves. After launching the WSH2028 with the aim of improving WSH performance by 2028 as mentioned above (https://www.todayonline.com/commentary/why-singapores-new-approach-workplace-safety-and-health-matters-you), any data that deviates from their target would be unideal. 

Ideal Situation (Goal -> Ideal) – Technology to be implemented to improve WSH

The goal of this project is to implement the use of technology as safety precautions carried out on site with the use of heat and motion sensors and data mining analysis. Firstly, The function of heat sensors are to perform frequent heat scans on the workers on site to identify those overheated and overworked. Supervisors would then be able to identify them immediately and advice accordingly. Secondly, the function of motion sensors are to detect rapid and sudden movement of construction workers such as tripping and falling over an object or when they have stepped over the safe boundary and being too close to a fall from height. (https://www.pressac.com/insights/types-of-smart-building-sensor-and-how-they-work/) These motion sensors will produce a sound that alarms these workers, alerting them to move out of the line of danger. Lastly, the use of data mining technology is to obtain large amounts of data overtime that is able to generate reports and charts that displays the possible dangers in the future.These data will then guide supervisors to make improvements to their existing measures moving forward. These three applications of technology will ease the challenges of a construction site in Singapore and improve WSH of a site.

1.2 Problem Statement

Inevitable challenges such as extreme weather conditions and long hours on sites leads to injuries and fatalities to construction workers occurring despite the existing measures. The proposed solution will help fill in the gap by using heat and motion sensor technology and data mining technology to carry out the supervision instead at all times. 

1.3 Purpose Statement

The purpose of the proposal is to implement the use of new technology among construction companies to improve their WSH statistics. This would benefit the construction companies themselves in terms of functioning as a business while being in line with the targets of the WSH2028 campaign.