Real-time construction worker posture analysis for ergonomics training

Construction activities performed by workers are usually repetitive and physically demanding. Execution of such tasks in awkward postures can strain their body parts and can result in fatigue, injuries or in severe cases permanent disabilities. In view of this, it is essential to train workers, before the commencement of any construction activity. Furthermore, traditional worker monitoring methods are tedious, inefficient and are carried out manually whereas, an automated approach, apart from monitoring, can yield valuable information concerning work-related behavior of worker that can be beneficial for worker training in a virtual reality world. Our research work focuses on developing an automated approach for posture estimation and classification using a range camera for posture analysis and categorizing it as ergonomic or non-ergonomic. Using a range camera, first we classify worker’s pose to determine whether a worker is ‘standing’, ‘bending’, ‘sitting’, or ‘crawling’ and then estimate the posture of the worker using OpenNI middleware to get the body joint angles and spatial locations. A predefined set of rules is then formulated to use this body posture information to categorize tasks as ergonomic or non-ergonomic.

Graphical abstractFigure optionsDownload full-size imageDownload as PowerPoint slideHighlights► Statistics to non-fatal occupational injuries and illness related to ergonomics. ► Need for a tool to train workers to avoid injury or severe permanent disabilities. ► Automating human posture estimation and classification using real-time range camera. ► Definitions of rules and body part angles to classify (non-) ergonomic motions. ► Algorithm for and data analysis of construction workers in varying body postures.