A new study highlights how real-time monitoring technologies are reshaping safety in the construction industry, particularly in preventing workplace accidents. With falls from height remaining one of the leading causes of injuries and fatalities on job sites, researchers examined the most effective tools available today. The study follows the PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses) method, focusing on real-time fall risk assessment.
Study: BIM for Safety: Applying Real-Time Monitoring Technologies to Prevent Falls from Height in Construction. Image Credit: Sach336699/Shutterstock.com
Why Construction Site Safety Matters
Construction is one of the riskiest industries, with job sites posing more hazards than many other work environments. The biggest causes of accidents are falls from heights, getting hit by objects, rollovers, and falling debris. Despite all the safety measures in place, lack of proper fall protection remains the most common safety violation.
Even with worker training and preventative design strategies, falls from height continue to be a leading cause of accidents. The problem? Traditional safety monitoring still depends on manual inspections by safety engineers, which can be slow and impractical for large, complex sites.
To improve safety, construction sites need to become smarter, incorporating real-time monitoring to detect and prevent accidents before they happen. This review explores various technologies designed for fall prevention and looks at how they integrate with Building Information Modeling (BIM) to improve workplace safety.
Real-Time Monitoring Technologies for Construction Safety
Positioning technologies fall into two main categories: external and internal. GPS is the most widely used external system, while internal options include Wi-Fi, radio frequency identification (RFID), infrared, ultrasound, and laser-based tracking.
GPS is advantageous because it works independently without additional technology. RFID, on the other hand, enables tagged objects to exchange data with information systems, enhancing communication. However, RFID isn’t perfect—it lacks the precision needed for pinpoint tracking, such as locating a worker trapped in a tunnel.
Wi-Fi-based tracking systems offer advantages over RFID and GPS. They function indoors and outdoors, are cost-effective, and don’t suffer as much from interference, even in non-line-of-sight conditions. Other indoor positioning methods include geomagnetic and ultrasound waves, as well as vision-based technologies that use full-spectrum light.
Since no single internal system is foolproof, researchers recommend hybrid positioning—combining different technologies to mitigate weaknesses. A common setup integrates GPS for outdoor tracking with indoor Wi-Fi, making it particularly useful for semi-indoor construction environments.
Enhancing Workplace Safety with BIM Integration
Building Information Modeling (BIM) is a digital tool that manages project data across a building’s entire lifecycle, covering both physical and functional details. It’s increasingly adopted in construction for its ability to accelerate projects, reduce costs, and improve safety.
BIM enhances safety by helping with site planning and accident prevention. Project managers can assess risks and implement preventive measures early. BIM also enables teams to simulate construction phases, allowing them to spot hazards in advance and refine safety protocols before work begins.
Once construction is underway, BIM supports real-time tracking via mobile devices, monitors safety compliance, and evaluates risks even after project completion.
Several BIM technologies contribute to workplace safety. Four-dimensional BIM models aid in site layout planning while minimizing risk. Virtual reality applications help workers identify hazards, visualize safety scenarios, and undergo training. Additionally, three- and four-dimensional simulations provide a clear view of site conditions and potential dangers, enabling teams to prepare ahead. BIM can also automate the detection of fall hazards, such as slab edges, making it an essential tool for safety management when combined with databases, virtual reality, and schematic visualization.
Key Takeaways on Real-Time Monitoring for Construction Safety
This review provides a detailed look at real-time monitoring technologies aimed at reducing fall-related accidents—one of the biggest causes of injuries and fatalities in construction.
Currently, worker monitoring relies on wireless and computer vision technologies. When integrated with BIM, these tools enable a proactive approach to safety, preventing accidents before they happen. However, these systems also raise concerns about data privacy related to worker tracking.
Journal Reference
Pereira, F., González, N., & Martins, J. P. (2025). BIM for Safety: Applying Real-Time Monitoring Technologies to Prevent Falls from Height in Construction. Applied Sciences, 15(4), 2218. DOI: 10.3390/app15042218, https://www.mdpi.com/2076-3417/15/4/221
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