IoT-Enabled Height and Zone Detection System for Worker Safety in Vertical Construction using RF Signal Strength and Alternative Sensing Approaches

Fall from heights remains the leading cause of fatalities in the construction sector, especially where work at elevated places is involved. In India, approximately 42 fatalities occur on a daily basis, which highlights the need for improving safety measures. Conventional monitoring system is dependent on manual intervention, which has proved to be error prone. This study proposes a novel IoT enabled system that integrates multiple technologies to triangulate the worker position. The proposed system utilises RF signal strength measurements, voltage variations and time-of-flight measurements for identifying the workers’ movement when he surpasses the critical height of >6ft. The system was validated using MATLAB simulations, and the results indicated an accuracy of 98.78%. The system was found to be a viable approach to ensure compliance with safety protocols.