Potential functions of construction worker–machine interaction safety assessment

The interaction of several workers with intelligent construction machinery can lead to serious collisions. Typically, the safety distance is used as an indicator of the safety of worker–machine interactions (WMI). However, the degree of risk does not increase linearly with decreasing worker–machine distances. To further reveal the essence of WMI safety, this study proposes a new method for assessing the safety state of WMIs, namely, the construction safety potential field. It is used to describe the factors and patterns associated with the spatial overlap and decay of hazardous energy in WMI operations. The proposed method was tested in an earthworks construction WMI operation and the results were valid. A preliminary discussion of the relevant parameters constituting the construction safety potential field model is presented. The contributions of the research is proposing a generic energy-based model, which provides a novel idea for the interpretation of safety issues in construction WMI operations and opens up a new foundation for the development of active safety control.