Construction 4.0: Industry 4.0 enabling technologies applied to improve workplace safety in construction

Abstract

Industry 4.0, the new production paradigm, has been arousing the interest of researchers around the world, due to its potential for improvements for companies, however little has been studied of its potential in the construction industry. This paper aims to identify which enabling technologies of Industry 4.0 can be applied to improve job security in civil construction. The methodology adopted was literature review, followed by field study / research with interviews with specialists, to identify the possibility of improving work safety in civil construction, through the technologies of Industry 4.0. The results of this research showed that the main technologies listed were: (1st) 3D printing and drone, (2nd) Augmented Reality and Wearable sensors, (3rd) safety vest, (4th) Virtual Reality, (5th) Bionic exoskeleton, (6th) Building Information Modeling (BIM), Radio Frequency Identification (RFID), helmet with sensors and smart helmets, (7th) Internet of Things (IoT) and finally, (8th) concrete mixer truck. The theoretical and practical contribution of this work is given by the presentation of technologies from Industry 4.0 that can maximize work safety in the construction industry, mitigating accidents at work, thus collaborating for the management of technology and innovation.