AMHIGLEY BUILDERS BLOG: Technological Innovations Transforming Safety Standards
Welcome to the AMHIGLEY BUILDERS BLOG, where our experts share their insights and technical expertise in the construction industry.
This month, Tom Lippert and Dave Perry discuss how advancements in technology have impacted the safety of workers and jobsites. From everyday implications to overall project and reporting improvements, the use of different technology and software has proved to transform the safety industry.
Tom Lippert | Vice President of Safety and Quality | 14 Years with AMHigley
Dave Perry | Safety Manager | 9 Years with AMHigley
TECHNOLOGICAL INNOVATIONS TRANSFORMING SAFETY STANDARDS
In the construction industry, project teams are all too familiar with complex workdays, tight timelines, and ever-changing environments. This can mean that managing risks on-site is a constant challenge. Fortunately, advancements in technology are reshaping the way safety is approached, making job sites smarter, more efficient, and safer than ever before. Technological innovations drive safer practices and by adopting these tools, companies can reduce risks, improve compliance, and safeguard both workers and projects.
One of the many ways to make a construction site safer is the use of technology when it comes to document tracking and reporting. Automated safety platforms allow for the standardization of safety audits in a checklist format and the ability to upload real time photos and to document observations on the photo highlighted areas of concern.
Software like HammerTech or Procore, works as fully automated safety software from a smart device/iPad and eliminates all paperwork. This software can store all necessary safety orientations for workers on site as well as safety kickoff meeting agenda and notes, toolbox trainings, and weekly huddles. To ensure all workers on the site are fully qualified the software is able to house drug test results/cards, government issued identification, permits, and training/certifications. All these capabilities create a more efficient working environment as well as ensure all workers are fully aware of all safety plans.
In addition to helping workers, safety platforms can reduce the struggle with any safety audits. OSHA citations and audits are easier to navigate with the use of technology as well as historical data (which can also be stored on the software). Safety management plans, Job Hazard Analysis, prework meeting checklists, safety data sheets, and incident reports can all be used during regulatory audits and are easily accessible within software like HammerTech or Procore.
HammerTech Dashboard Highlighting Inspection History
Another technological innovation that has improved safety standards is the use of artificial intelligence. Natural Reader, a language AI platform, has been used in the formation of the new safety orientation video enabled an English to Spanish translation of the video to be more inclusive to non-English speaking workers. The platform can translate any video or PowerPoint notes into any language with the use of artificial intelligence, while also understanding when to use tone/vocal changes to make the speaking voice sound more natural.
Microsoft’s Power BI is a platform that can create job dashboards to record safety information and any required safety data. The platform learns from historical inputs and can be customized to fit whatever requirements a company may have for their safety information. This technology greatly enhances and quickens the ability to capture data, data trends, and depict in a functional and real-time format.
When it comes to technological applications on equipment to improve safety standards, the last few years have seen an exponential increase in technology. Construction workers can wear sensors clipped onto their clothing/safety vests that will record any slips/falls. This sensor will monitor the force and movement of the fall as well as a worker’s movement or lack of movement post fall. This creates an accurate and immediate report and gives information to any safety professionals to assess the severity of falls.
A new “smart” ladder is under development that places sensors on the ladder to detect and alert workers of unsafe movements or uses. This tracking includes alerts if a person is leaning out beyond the ladder’s side rails or on an unstable working surface. There are now cameras using recognition software to complete a visible safety check (workers wearing a helmet and safety glasses) and record footage for review.
Overall, jobsite safety has become more streamlined with the use of technology. As field leadership becomes more sophisticated with using technology it has become easier to implement these innovations and improvements. By using these new technological tools and programs, companies can mitigate risks, operate more efficiently, and improve safety culture. Adopting these technologies is a step toward a safer, more resilient future for the construction industry, where any project can be executed with confidence and efficiency by those both on and off the jobsite.