Safety in Off-Site Construction: Simulation of Crane-Lifting Operations Using VR and BIM

Tower cranes are frequently used for installation of prefabricated modules and are on-demand resources in off-site construction. Tower cranes, however, are associated with many site accidents and severe injuries. Proper safety training that builds upon hazard perception of tower crane operators will help to increase safety performance and reduce site accidents. Toward this aim, the current study develops a framework that facilitates the development of context-aware safety training for lifting processes. This framework is then evaluated for its applicability by creating safety training scenarios using building information models (BIM) and virtual reality (VR). The resultant outcome from employment of the framework developed in this study is enhanced situational awareness of tower crane operators that allows them to anticipate risks in a fast-paced construction environment, thereby reducing the number of safety incidents and (lost time injuries) LTIs. This framework allows inexperienced contractors to adopt newer construction methods, such as off-site prefabrication, by mitigating safety risks with context-aware training.