Regardless of industry, the efficient use of the latest tools and equipment has led many businesses to facilitate growth and expansion. By using innovative products and advanced technological solutions, it allows owners to upgrade services in a more convenient and functional way. But in the world of construction, people are still skeptical when it comes to using new technologies for the fear of losing jobs due to automation.
But times have changed and the construction business is now more welcoming to the latest trends and technological advancements. Equipped with the right business insurance to ensure total protection against unwanted liabilities, the new shift aims to improve workplace safety by preventing job site injuries. Add with the many benefits of using modern tools such as high efficiency, ease of usage, and accurate outputs, these technological advancements open up a whole new world of brighter and safer future.
Here are some of the top technologies that are truly changing construction safety management.
Exoskeletons
In the construction business, most tasks require physical strength and constant stamina for an extended period of time. The repetitive motion and energy-draining work can be extremely demanding, not just to the body, but to overall health as well. And as a result, many workers face a number of ailments including body fatigue, muscle strains, soft tissue damages, and musculoskeletal injuries. In such cases, an exoskeleton comes in extremely handy.
Offered in various types from upper body support to full body suits, an exoskeleton is a wearable armor that allows movement with increased strength and stamina. It aids a wide variety of tasks requiring physical power such as heavy lifting by making loads feel lighter. Already used in the manufacturing business since most workers do the same type of work every day, exoskeletons are now being introduced in the construction industry to assist employees.
- Exoskeletons are useful for contractors doing exterior or finishing work.
- There are powered exoskeletons that use a combination of different technologies.
- Exoskeleton training is a common part of safety management to ensure proper usage.
Smart Wearables
As time goes by, wearables are becoming more functional from being a simple gadget to sophisticated devices. These smart electronic tools have gone beyond traditional use, that even construction companies can now enjoy these amazing instruments to aid services. From employee training apps to goggles equipped with video recording functionalities, the technology of today is truly changing how we interact with things.
Health is a topmost priority, especially in the construction industry. There are smart vests and boot inserts that can monitor vital signs such as heart rate, temperature, and sweat rate to ensure utmost safety while doing work. Gadgets with monitor sensors, on the other hand, helps prevent accidents by alerting nearby colleagues should there be an incident.
- You can use wearable devices to train and monitor employees regardless of distance.
- Tools with GPS are useful when calamity strikes like landslides, mudflows, and earthquakes.
- Modern wearables are intelligent enough to differentiate an accident from a stopped unit.
Virtual Reality Simulators
Next on these high tech construction safety management tools are virtual reality simulators. Virtual reality simulators are used to immerse humans in a simulated environment, with the help of special programs or apparatuses. And human immersion in a safe and secure setting is extremely important for construction businesses – there has been a great decline in training new contractors due to labor shortage and lack of senior mentors.
Proper training is without a doubt one of the most crucial aspects when hiring new employees. Because in the construction business, one mistake may lead to serious accidents or even death. With the help of virtual reality simulators, new employees can now be exposed to tricky and dangerous situations without jeopardizing safety. So, even before they encounter these situations in real life, mistakes can be learned and corrected.
- Virtual reality simulation provides real-life, hands-on experience.
- It aims to remove barriers from traditional training such as time constraints and security.
- VR apparatuses are expensive so financial planning is a must before purchase.
Robots and Drones
With their ability to take aerial shots in a fast, secured, and controlled way, drones are getting popular to almost all businesses including the construction industry. Drones can be used to perform site mapping without the need to send numerous employees on site. Paired with the proper program, it has the ability to send vital data and information with blazing fast speeds. And you don’t even need to be on site to monitor things because the broadcast can be transmitted live.
If safety management is your biggest concern, robotic machines are here to help save your day. Robots are often used to perform dangerous tasks such as demolition. They can also give much much-needed assistance when lifting heavy objects or transporting materials. Robotic machines, on the other hand, are valuable when doing tasks that require speed and accuracy, such as bricklaying.
- Robots will never replace employees; fine craftsmanship still needs a human touch.
- Explain to workers that robots should never be seen as rivals, but rather an aid.
- A 3D printer is a form of a robotic machine, and companies are using it to synthesize components.
Sensors
The last technology that has something to do with construction safety management are site sensors. Environmental factors can have a huge impact on the quality of construction. Moisture, dust, water, and presence of other matters can affect the integrity of a structure or building. If not detected and addressed immediately, it may cause significant liabilities to any construction business.
Site sensors are utilized to detect humidity, pressure, temperature, dust particles, and smoke in a particular environment. They are equipped with a warning system that if something changes within the given values, sensors will automatically send notification alerts. The beauty of site sensors is that it doesn’t take too much space or infrastructure because most of them are battery powered and use cellular data to send signals.
- Site sensors help prevent on-site accidents by avoiding construction defects.
- It improves the safety and security of people working on-site through consistent monitoring.
- Problems are addressed immediately which is critical to upholding safety standards.