Source
Trends and Current Best Practices in Construction Safety and Health. Hinze J, ed., Gainesville, FL: IeJC, 2005 Aug; :1-10
Abstract
Even though diverse support systems such as shoring, shielding, and sloping are to be applied to protect workers from cave-ins in trench excavating and pipe laying operations, accidents still happen. Tele-operation, which enables the control of a mechanical device from a safe distance provides a technical alternative making OSHA regulations non-applicable. This paper will present two remotely controlled manipulators able to install large and small pipes. Because of the need to be competitive on every project-bid, contractors have to be assured that new technologies not only work in the rugged environment of a construction site but that they also reduce cost. Not having to observe OSHA regulation results in many cost savings such as a reduction in excavation volume, less material to be backfilled and compacted, and a reduction in man-hours. The paper will discuss not only the technologies that were integrated into the system but also show the use of the system in the construction environment.
Keywords
Construction; Construction-workers; Construction-industry; Construction-equipment; Occupational-hazards; Mortality-data; Mortality-rates; Occupational-accidents; Safety-measures; Excavation-equipment; Accidents; Accident-prevention; Ground-stability; Ground-control
Document Type
Book or book chapter
Identifying No.
Grant-Number-R01-OH-004201
Priority Area
Research Tools and Approaches: Control Technology and Personal Protective Equipment
Source Name
Trends and Current Best Practices in Construction Safety and Health
Performing Organization
North Carolina State University, Raleigh, North Carolina