Serious gaming approach framework for construction hazards identification

Construction-related workers are always exposed to occupational hazards ona construction site. Hence, safety training is inevitable to reduce the alarming rate ofaccidents on sites. However, due to the nature of construction environment which ishazardous and harmful current safety training is still lacks hands-on approaches.Training assisted by affordable technology such as serious game would be aneffective tool to improve learning and has become a new approach to trainingdelivery. It offers safer, interactive and entertaining learning environment for theconstruction-related workers. Therefore, the aim of this study is to develop a seriousgame framework for hazard identification training module. To develop thisframework, the Garris‘s Input-Process-Outcome game model is adopted as thefoundation and five objectives are laid out. The first objective is to determine themost suitable instructional design method and the second objective is to determineserious game attributes to support the effective learning. Through content analysismethods, the findings show that there are 12 attributes of the serious game andGagne‘s Nine Events Instructional Methods Design is able to support an effectivelearning. The third objective is to understand user characteristics. Data wascollected from 319 construction-related workers using questionnaires and analysedusing mean comparison and ANOVA. Findings confirmed that they belong toindependent learners‘ category and inclined to ‗vigilant‘ and ‗brooding‘ types ofdecision-making style. These objectives become the basis for Input phases of theframework. The Gagne‘s instructional method also laid out the learning expectationfor Outcome phase i.e. skills, cognitive and affective learning. The fourth objectiveis to design the process of hazard identification. Through content analysis,Recognition-Primed Decision making model (RPD) is chosen and merged withhazard identification process and hierarchy of control to establish the Process phaseof the framework. All the findings are incorporated to achieve the fifth objectivewhich is to develop the serious game framework. The framework is validated bythree experts specialised in education, construction safety, and informationtechnology. They agreed that this framework would be able to enhance learning interm of skills, cognitive and affective learning. Finally, this serious game frameworkwill provide a safer, more affordable and interactive as well as entertaining forhazard identification training delivery in the construction industry

Latent factors manifesting sustainable construction understanding

There is a strong premonition that a future successful sustainable construction implementation pivots partly upon a manifestation of sustainable construction understanding among the professionals in the industry. This research stands to advocate that a distinct manifestation of sustainable construction concept by AEC professionals reflects the knowledge kept, which mirrors the understanding thus provides a plausible starting point for future successful implementation of sustainable construction practices. Using Nigeria AEC industry’s current effort in sustainable construction as the backdrop, this research aimed to determine latent factors that characterise sustainable construction understanding among professionals in the AEC industry. Research data was gathered via a survey carried out on 580 construction professionals. Data were analysed by way of EFA and CFA (using PLS-SEM). Findings from the structural model developed showed seven latent factors which includes awareness, political, passive culture, knowledge, demand, financial and attitude. The latent factors derived from this research provide a context-specific understanding of sustainable construction concept by AEC professionals in its indigenous setting as a basis for future implementation of sustainable construction practices

Exploring gamification approach in hazard identification training for Malaysian construction industry

In recent years gaming products have increasingly been used to enhance learning and training development in academic and commercial sectors. Games have become more pervasive; they have been adopted for use in many industries and sectors such as defense, medicine, architecture, education, and city planning and government as tools for workers development. In Malaysia, it has been reported that the construction industry holds the third highest record of occurrences of accidents at work. Therefore, safety training is inevitable to reduce the alarming rate of accidents on construction sites. However, currently, available safety training approaches are still lacking in terms of delivering hands-on training and are more theoretical- instead of being more practical-based. This is due to the nature of the construction environment itself in which safety training involving certain hazards that cannot be implemented hands-on as it may bring harm to trainers, trainees and the environment. Gaming is an approach that applies technology to provide an almost real experience with interactive field training, and also supporting the theory of learning by doing with real case scenario. The purpose of this paper is to seek and explore the differences in existing gamification genres such as simulation game, role-playing, action game, strategy game and etc. Data were collected through available literature. The findings of the study show that serious game is a suitable genre to be adopted as an approach in hazard identification training for the construction industry in Malaysia

Construction player’s perception of training approach using serious game–A pilot study

Construction workers are always exposed to numerous occupational hazards of different kinds and levels of complexity in every project they engage in. Therefore, there is a need for training modules which can provide the knowledge to construction workers to acquire the skills necessary for occupational and environmental safety on site. However, current safety training still lacks hands-on approaches and it is theory-oriented. This is due to the nature of the construction environment itself in which hands-on approaches are impossible to be applied for certain types of hazards. Training which is assisted by technology is an effective tool in improving learning for not just for children but also for adults. Currently, serious game has become a new approach in training and learning not limited to the field of education but this approach has been applied across disciplines and areas including military, mining, transportation, oil and gas and also the construction industry. Therefore, this paper sought to review construction workers’ perceptions toward serious game as a training tool. Fifty players at various levels from the construction industry participated in a pilot study. A set of questionnaire was distributed to the participants during an occupational safety and hazard (OSH) training course with the cooperation of OSH state agency in the southern region of Peninsular Malaysia and also online. Descriptive statistics were used to analyze data from the questionnaire. Preliminary findings of the pilot study indicated that construction workers had high expectation toward serious game in delivering hands-on training in safer environment. They also believed training module using serious game had the potential in creating affordable, interactive and entertaining training module for the industry. The study contributes to an understanding of occupational safety training needs in the construction industry for a safer, more affordable and interactive as well as entertaining approach

Perspectives on issues and the application of the innovative procurement approaches for the Industrialised Building System (IBS)

Malaysia is making an aggressive effort of transformation to become a fully developed country. As one of the pillars for transformation, the construction industry has been undergoing a major reform with regard to the traditional method of construction. In recent years, the Industrialised Building System (IBS) has been promoted extensively with the government taking a lead with the practice. Studies showed that IBS has been able to expedite construction process, improve the time taken to accomplish a project, improve building quality, able to control cost and human resources, which in overall, raise occupational health and safety standard of construction. Despite, as most IBS projects were carried out under the traditional procurement method, the full benefits of IBS are somehow obscured. Several issues such as work delay, lack of communication and integration, lack of knowledge and increase in cost, which are synonymous to the traditional procurement method appear to outweigh the benefit of IBS. Hence, this research aims to suggest an alternative to the traditional procurement method with regard to IBS project implementation. The focus of this research has been on the challenges and innovative procurement methods most suited for IBS project. Two objectives were outlined: (1) to identify issues faced by client on current procurement method in IBS project; and (2) to identify the client’s perspective on innovative procurement method most suited for IBS project. Data for this research was collected through semi-structured interviews with five respondents from five major developers having experience in IBS project implementation. The results from the thematic analysis revealed that apart from the common issues which ascend from the sequential nature of the traditional procurement method, design integration issue was opined to aggravate the situation. Unanimously, respondents agreed that partnering is the way forward for IBS project implementation in Malaysian construction industry. This research contributes by providing important pointers for the local construction industry to move forward with IBS project implementation

Summary judgement : triable issues as a defence

Litigation under civil takes a long time to complete, there are many stages need to be started from pleading, pre-trial discovery, trial and judgment, appeal and enforcement. Normal average time taken is three years. The RHC contains a mechanism that can cut short the time and completion called Summary Judgment under Order 14 RHC. Summary Judgment can be used where the Defendant has no valid defence. However, the Defendant may prevent Summary Judgment by raising triable issue as defence. Triable issues are defences that rose by the defendant, as subject to a legal trial capable of being brought under judicial prosecution or determination. When triable issue successfully arises then Summary Judgment should not be granted, means Triable issue can be a defence against Summary Judgment. Therefore, this research has been conducted to determine triable issues in various contracts related to the construction industry. To achieve the objective of this research 18 cases were selected to be analyzed by using qualitative method analysis. From this case found that there are eight (8) points of issues that can be a triable issue as defence which are claimed for interest, contractual issue, certificate, final account, work done, set-off, obligation and liability and the last issues related to liquidated ascertain damages (LAD). Overall, triable issues can arise from any other issues but need to prove that there are disputed issues on the facts or on the law, as disclosed in the pleadings read together with the affidavit or affidavits

Addressing the needs of gaming approach in hazard identification training

Construction industry is reportedly the third highest accident occurrence after manufacturing and agriculture. Research have shown that hazard is the major factor that contributes to accident on construction sites. Thus, training on hazard identification is important to construction workers as they need to understand how to identify and act wisely in handling hazards. Construction Industry Development Board (CIDB) and National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) through government initiatives provide trainings in order to enhance the knowledge on safety among the construction individuals. Currently, trainings are conducted through lectures, hands-on and video demonstration. However, these approaches can only increase the awareness and theoretical knowledge of the trainee which 70% of the training modules cover the theoretical aspects and the rest is the hands-on. Unfortunately, they are not able to practice the theories that they have learnt. Moreover, the cost of training is high and not all levels of construction workers could afford to attend the training. Gaming approach seems to be an approach that could provide more hands-on training. Unlike the above mentioned conventional approach, the gaming approach allows users to experience and practice a real life scenario within a gaming environment. As well as it is an affordable module, this approach offers flexibility to users in term of time and venues. The purpose of this paper is to address the needs of gaming approach to enhance the hazard identification training, by providing an immersive, real experience and affordable approach to trainin

Urban River Reserve Potentials as Passive Cooling Strategies

In Malaysia, urban riparian refers to river reserve that reflects green space. As surviving greenery space amidst concrete jungle, urban riparian is essential for safe-keeping the river health, the surrounding environment, and the well-being of urbanites. The existing developments found by the Malaysian riversides are already in place prior to river reserves establishment, thus constricting expansion and synchronisation due to its guidelines applied in isolation within several related agencies. Prior studies have highlighted the potential of riparian vegetation as a viable method that lowers the temperature within urban space. Hence, this paper probes into the potential of river reserve as a passive cooling strategy by determining the vegetation technical requirements from the light of urban river physical planning and design guidelines in Malaysia. Thus, this study outlines the possibility of integration by comparing vegetation requirements for river buffer with vegetation function and ability in altering radiation, as well as heat transfer, through physical attributes. By focusing on vegetation physical structure, the riparian area can attain multiple functions and benefits. Thus, this finding serves as a basis for integration of passive cooling strategies with vegetation requirements for urban river reserve, and for further studies that investigate other essential physical attributes

Urban River Reserve Potentials as Passive Cooling Strategies

In Malaysia, urban riparian refers to river reserve that reflects green space. As surviving greenery space amidst concrete jungle, urban riparian is essential for safe-keeping the river health, the surrounding environment, and the well-being of urbanites. The existing developments found by the Malaysian riversides are already in place prior to river reserves establishment, thus constricting expansion and synchronisation due to its guidelines applied in isolation within several related agencies. Prior studies have highlighted the potential of riparian vegetation as a viable method that lowers the temperature within urban space. Hence, this paper probes into the potential of river reserve as a passive cooling strategy by determining the vegetation technical requirements from the light of urban river physical planning and design guidelines in Malaysia. Thus, this study outlines the possibility of integration by comparing vegetation requirements for river buffer with vegetation function and ability in altering radiation, as well as heat transfer, through physical attributes. By focusing on vegetation physical structure, the riparian area can attain multiple functions and benefits. Thus, this finding serves as a basis for integration of passive cooling strategies with vegetation requirements for urban river reserve, and for further studies that investigate other essential physical attributes

Serious Game Attributes for the Construction of a Hazard Identification Framework

In recent years gaming products have increasingly been used to enhance learning and training development in the academic and commercial sectors.  Gaming is an approach that applies technology to provide an almost real experience with interactive field training.  It is an approach that supports the theory of learning by doing with a real case scenario.  The purpose of this paper is to determine serious game attributes to support effective training using serious game approach.  Through systematic literature review on eleven selected articles, nineteen game attributes were identified.  Hence, based on the definition and description from the articles, text analyses were conducted to determine categories of attributes based on educational theories' perspectives.  This study adopted the deductive content analysis approach which 14 relevant research articles between 1994 and 2016 were identified from the Web of Science and SCOPUS databases.  It appears that serious game attributes according to the educational perspectives are being practised using various ideas, terms and concepts.   Hence, the findings can be justified that serious game attributes are important to enhance the effectiveness of training modules.  All these attributes will become part of the serious game framework for hazard identification training modules.  The target is to deliver effective and active training module to construction-related workers