Dynamic wireless sensor networks for real time safeguard of workers exposed to physical agents in constructions sites

The paper introduces a wireless sensor network platform specifically designed for the protection of workers employed in the building sector, exposed to critical physical agents, typical of their working scenario. The network configuration makes use of either a standard ZigBee communication scheme, or a more versatile ad-hoc set-up, which narrows the necessary transmission bandwidth and lowers the frequency of the carriers. The relevant part of the research activity has been concentrated on the design and realization of a compact, wearable, washable, ergonomic, low cost wireless sensor node, suitable to detect a huge variety of physical phenomena. The sample proposed in the paper has been specifically developed to measure two different kinds of exposure, UltraViolet rays and dust. Both these agents, for different reasons, represent a critical factors and a certified source of possible diseases. The sensor node is embedded on the worker garment: the electronic components are sewed on the cloth, and the antenna is integrated within the fabric, and, together with the fabric, forms a unique structure. Preliminary results, obtained with a non-optimized and non-compact node, testify the validity of the approach and its applicability to real cases.