Andrew Wehle

Active leading indicators (ALIs) have the potential to identify safety hazards and prompt immediate actions to prevent incidents. Currently, there is a major gap in research that incorporates a fully automated ALI system because implementation has been hindered by a lack of established industry thresholds of measurable performance that would trigger an actionable response. Therefore, this paper addresses this gap by presenting a new method that utilizes the Internet of Things (IoT) to collect quantifiable data which can trigger an actionable response in real time based on established thresholds. This novel method integrates the Construction Industry Institute (CII) active leading indicator framework with a prototype IoT-based system. Significantly, the ALI provides the physical–virtual feedback loop, which is an essential aspect of the IoT system because it provides real-time feedback to both the users and systems. This paper also identifies potential inputs to the ALI framework from emerging IoT-enabled systems. A case study was presented to initially validate the IoT-based ALI framework. Bluetooth-enabled heart rate monitors were issued to workers in a hazardous and critical mining construction site. The ALIs that were recorded included heart rate and body temperature. Thresholds were established that alerted the monitoring safety staff when a worker exhibited potentially unsafe conditions. The results of the study demonstrated the feasibility of the system. Additionally, other results included worker resistance; non-disclosing of medical conditions, and limitations for IoT connectivity.

As standard industry practice, safety performance has been measured by metrics such as the OSHA recordable injury rate (RIR); days away, restricted work, transfer injury rate (DART), and the experience modification rating (EMR). These metrics provide historical information about the measures of safety performance classified as lagging indicators. In contrast, leading indicators (LI’s) are measures used as predictors of safety performance. When leading measures indicate a weakness in an aspect of the safety process, interventions can be implemented, positively impacting the safety process prior to an incident. This study identified the use and characteristics of leading indicators as well as evaluated the measures based on their impact on safety performance. The findings of the research regarding passive leading indicators (PLIs) show that safety performance improved as more safety policies practices were implemented. In the case of active leading indicators (ALIs), the research showed that the assessment of the direct effectiveness of these programs are more difficult to measure. Through the creation of a taxonomy of ALIs, the findings reveal that ALIs are affected by variables such as communication, leadership, and management. This taxonomy can be used by construction companies to better design and implement more effective safety programs.

When constructing and updating the built environment, ensuring the safety of all parties involved is of utmost importance. Traditionally, safety has been measured and managed reactively, where actions are taken in response to adverse trends in injuries. Alternatively, safety-related practices can be measured during the construction phase to trigger positive responses before an injury occurs. Despite the potential benefits of such strategies, few have been identified in the literature and there has yet to be an organized effort to codify and investigate these methods. A mixed-methods research approach was used to (1) clearly identify and define elements of the safety management process that can be measured and monitored during the construction phase, (2) describe resource requirements for measurement, monitoring, and response, and (3) describe specific management actions required when any indicator fails to satisfy a desired value. To produce internally and externally valid and reliable results, da...