OSU To Build Jobsite Simulator For Safety Research

CORVALLIS, ORE. (April 10, 2015) – The College of Engineering at Oregon State University is developing one of the leading facilities in the world to improve safety for construction workers and the general public. A $1 million grant announced from Knife River Corporation and MDU Construction Services Group will help support creation of this laboratory, which will be called the MDU Resources Group Construction Safety Laboratory, officials said.

“This lab establishes us as the principal national facility for construction and transportation safety research and education,” said Scott Ashford, the dean and Kearney professor of engineering at the OSU College of Engineering.“We’re delighted to partner with Knife River and MDU Construction Services Group on this critically important project.”

When complete, the lab will have two components to create a virtual construction environment that replicates real-world jobsites. An interactive, high-definition projection system will allow multiple users to conduct sample work operations without actually putting workers at risk for injury. A connected driving simulator will help evaluate driver and worker actions as vehicles pass through a work zone.

“This project provides a virtual environment where industry and academia can work together on real-world solutions,” said Jeff Thiede, president and CEO of MDU Construction Services Group.

The lab will also expand and enhance an initiative begun several years ago at OSU to yield major improvements in worker safety by emphasizing “prevention through design.” This concept emphasizes safety consideration at the very design stage to make buildings, bridges, roadways and other structures safer both to build and to maintain.

OSU researchers and other experts eventually see construction safety, both in design and jobsite activities, as becoming one component of “green” construction concepts, and adding a social aspect to the idea of sustainability. Based in part on OSU research, the U.S. Green Building Council recently added a pilot “prevention through design” credit to their rating system for sustainable buildings.

For more information, visit the OSU website.