Construction sites carry many safety risks. Structures may be unsafe or unstable, and equipment malfunctions or misuse can occur. While construction companies are highly trained to perform efficient and safe work, accidents can still happen.
The construction industry constantly implements new procedures and tools to make the job site safer for builders, and technology has played a significant role in this. Technology has changed the game for construction companies, improving safety conditions, procedures, and risk assessments.
Risk Analysis
Technological advancements, such as 3D building modeling software and augmented or virtual reality, have revolutionized risk analysis and assessments in the construction industry.
These tools provide unprecedented accuracy and accessibility to crucial information about structural issues, site safety concerns, and construction details. This accessibility benefits various roles, from construction workers to insurance evaluators, enhancing their ability to detect and mitigate risks.
Equipment Safety Features
Construction equipment provides more safety features than ever. Newer power tools and construction equipment have alerts and alarms when there is a tool malfunction or error, including proximity alarms.
Heavy equipment features LED lighting, brakes, horns, backup alarms, and other warning features to reduce accidents or damage.
Backup cameras in heavy, drivable construction equipment make accessibility and safety a priority. Automated or remote-controlled equipment can reduce the need for workers to access unsafe building conditions.
Enhanced Protective Gear
Safety testing technology has improved, making protective equipment more efficient with better materials, flexibility, and accessibility. Wearable technology in construction has been implemented and advanced, providing real-time alerts to health or safety concerns while on the job site.
These wearables can evaluate heart rate, breathing quality, and other metrics to manage builders’ health. Certain alarms or alerts can go off when a worker is near hazards like live wires or active power tools.
Connected Equipment (Internet of Things)
With the Internet of Things (IoT) technology improvements, construction equipment statuses and locations are more easily monitored.
Dangerous equipment is less likely to go missing, malfunctioning equipment can be avoided, and construction field managers have real-time updates on the performance of all equipment, machinery, and tools.
On-Site Monitoring
Through improvements in remote communication technology, on-site monitoring is easier than ever.
Internet hotspot technology can connect any phone, tablet, or computer to the internet for video, chat, or phone communications, regardless of a construction site’s location or cell signal. Long-distance builder management and construction site updates are more accessible and efficient.
Advanced Communication
With advanced safety alarms, radio connection distances, and battery capabilities, worker statuses and messages are more easily delivered and received on the job site.
Drones and equipment cameras can allow more team members to view and access job sites and situations. With instant communication comes instant emergency response, mitigating damage, duration, and severity.
Aerial Drones
The advancements in drone technology have been unparalleled. Workers or managers no longer need to risk safety to access job sites for visuals or planning.
Safety procedures can be tailored for specific scenarios using enhanced aerial drone visuals. Aerial drones can allow remote equipment to perform more accurately. Safety risks are more efficiently and easily visualized.
Accessible Safety Training
Safety training no longer needs to be performed in a traditional classroom. Advanced teaching technology makes remote teaching more accessible than ever.
Online safety classes can be taught and learned from anywhere at any time. Equipment and drone footage allow workers to be trained in real-life scenarios and situations.
Insurance and Workers’ Comp Software
In the unfortunate event of an accident, technology ensures that employees and employers are informed in real time. This technology includes updates and communications with insurance companies and workers’ compensation, allowing for quick and efficient processing of claims and case updates.
Real-time communication technology facilitates more effective and efficient communication with any construction accident lawyer, making legal paperwork more accessible and distributable through e-signing and e-filing.
On-Site Telehealth
If any injuries or accidents do occur on the construction site, quick medical attention is more accessible. Telehealth allows immediate connection to medical care through the internet via voice or video call.
While in-depth procedures like surgeries will still require a hospital visit, damage, pain, and severity can be lessened through the advice of a real-time virtual medical appointment.
Conclusion
Technology is a valuable asset for high-risk work like construction sites. Technology allows constant communication and connection through construction teams, managers, and risk assessors.
Drones and other camera equipment can make safety analyses risk-free. On-site telehealth allows for prompt medical advice and care should an accident occur.
When accidents do happen, technology allows for quicker updates regarding insurance claims, litigation, and employer-employee communications.
Safety training is more accessible, too. Wearable technology can monitor the health and status of construction workers, improving job stress and safety measures.
Construction equipment has more safety features than ever, including backup cameras, proximity alarms, and malfunction alerts.
