Enhancing resilience in construction against infectious diseases using stochastic multi-agent approach

Examining the Relationship Between Workplace Industry and COVID-19 Infection

“…53 The construction and transportation/warehousing industries similarly emerged in the literature as high risk for COVID-19 transmission. 3,20,22,26,27,44,54,55 The enactment of safety measures to curb virus spread has been documented in these sectors, including requiring employees to wear face masks, adoption of physical distancing protocols, staggering of construction operations, offering COVID-19related training, and administering temperature checks before workplace entry. 21 One study observed, however, that while some construction companies implemented extra measures and developed new protocols, others were found lacking in the provision of screening, regulation of site access and handling of material, and equipment deliveries onsite, which increased risk of COVID-19 transmission.…”

“…At the same time, it has been shown that in such resource extraction industries, public health measures are more difficult to enact, for example, in underground labor-intensive mining situations 53 . The construction and transportation/warehousing industries similarly emerged in the literature as high risk for COVID-19 transmission 3,20,22,26,27,44,54,55 . The enactment of safety measures to curb virus spread has been documented in these sectors, including requiring employees to wear face masks, adoption of physical distancing protocols, staggering of construction operations, offering COVID-19–related training, and administering temperature checks before workplace entry 21 .…”

“…18 Other occupational groups may be even less prepared to control a global pandemic, including the retail industry, transportation, tourism and recreation, 19 and the construction industry, with its particular challenges around work in close proximity. [20][21][22] Agriculture and food processing facilities have also been identified as particularly susceptible to COVID-19 outbreaks. 13,[23][24][25] Across the board, associate professional and technical occupations, personal service occupations, and plant and machine operatives are a higher risk of contracting COVID-19, compared with managers and senior officials.…”

“…Despite substantial emergency preparedness, those working in healthcare settings face increased exposure to infectious disease, in particularly when Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) stockpiles are inadequate or during periods of overwhelming patient loads 18 . Other occupational groups may be even less prepared to control a global pandemic, including the retail industry, transportation, tourism and recreation, 19 and the construction industry, with its particular challenges around work in close proximity 20–22 . Agriculture and food processing facilities have also been identified as particularly susceptible to COVID-19 outbreaks 13,23–25 .…”

Generative design for COVID-19 and future pathogens using stochastic multi-agent simulation

“…Existing environment-occupant–pathogen modelling studies have predominantly implemented simplified virus–occupant interaction models to assess risk (e.g., well-mixed air in isolated spaces or probabilistic exposure based on the distance between agents) ( Bouchnita and Jebrane, 2020 , Martinez et al, 2022 , Ronchi and Lovreglio, 2020 , Simeone et al, 2020 ) . Recent studies have highlighted the importance of appropriately accounting for finer spatial and temporal details involved in virus transmission, as well as relevant occupant behaviours ( Gerami Seresht, 2022 , Salmenjoki et al, 2021 ). Still, to the best of our knowledge, existing studies that have included detailed space layouts have only compared and contrasted a small number of distinct space designs ( Lee et al, 2021 , Martinez et al, 2022 , Salmenjoki et al, 2021 ).…”