Worker safety remains a major challenge within the construction industry. After all, the construction industry is one of the most dangerous businesses in the world. According to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), 21.1% of all worker fatalities in the United States in 2016 occurred in the construction industry.
Many things aside from the physical complexity of the work make the construction business extremely dangerous. This includes but is not limited to the size of the site, the presence and operation of heavy-duty equipment, and the complexity of the construction site itself.
The construction industry is making major strides to improve the safety environment for workers. Many of the improvements that have been made are a result of new and innovative technology. Today there exists a wearable technology called Spot-r which could revolutionize worker safety in the field.
This technology is a wearable clip which workers can attach to their waistband that provides several safety monitoring benefits. For one, it provides “visibility” of every worker on the site through the use of GPS tracking. One of the major functions of this technology is its ability to notify a Superintendent or Project Manager whenever a worker slips, trips, or falls. Once notified, they are able to pinpoint exactly where the individual is and can send help right away. This technology helps to ensure that every incident is reported, not simply the ones that result in serious injury.
Spot-r also has the capability for workers to press an alert button for when they experience a non-slip, trip, or fall injury such as cuts or particles in the eye. It can also be used to simply report a hazard on the job site or send a loud signal to notify all workers to evacuate immediately due to a serious threat.
In addition to improving worker safety, this new technology helps to streamline the data collection process by giving you a more accurate and precise data set. It offers immediate data collection whereas manual safety checks are extremely time-consuming and prone to errors.
Another added benefit is that this technology enhances communication. It allows workers to communicate in real-time and at all times to ensure that everyone on site is kept in the loop. Times are changing, and the construction industry must change with them. Keeping up with the latest technological innovations as they relate to the industry is extremely important. Doing so not only adds value to your business but it also makes projects easier and more efficient. Safety is a major concern within the industry and will likely remain that way for many years. That being said, anything that can be done to minimize potential accidents should be done. So, don’t wait. Stay ahead of the curve!