Technological advances are continuing to disrupt the construction industry. The worksites of today look entirely different from what they were just a few decades ago, and they're still evolving. Nearly all aspects of construction can improve with the help of modern technology, but perhaps the most important is worker safety.
Though the industry has made significant strides in safety, 14 workers die on the job each day on average. This grim statistic is not unavoidable. Recent technological breakthroughs are helping construction companies reduce the risk of worksite injury and death.
Wearable technology can help workers monitor factors like heart rate, fatigue and posture to determine if they're in danger of exhaustion or other health-related risks. Some crews use these devices to alert employees if they get near a restricted or hazardous area. The vast majority of adopters in construction report that they've noticed a positive impact since integrating wearable devices. Despite this potential, most contractors haven't adopted the technology.
A growing number of businesses are using virtual reality to train their employees in a controllable environment before moving onto the real worksite. With VR training, workers could get used to working in hazardous areas before actually being at risk. Similarly, augmented reality can help workers on the job. AR goggles can show employees step-by-step instructions or updates from project managers in real-time as they work.
Drones have a variety of applications within the construction site. Companies can use remote-controlled aircraft to perform thorough safety audits or gain a bird's-eye view while monitoring progress. Drones not only optimize the efficiency of these tasks, but they decrease their risks. Companies can also use drones as a security measure. Camera-equipped machines hovering over a worksite can be a strong deterrent against would-be trespassers.
It's becoming increasingly common to see construction companies deploy sensors across their worksites. These devices can monitor potential hazards such as temperature, noise levels, volatile organic compounds and airborne particulates. Sensors can connect to other devices like smartphones and tablets as part of the "Internet of Things." Utilizing these connections, onsite sensors can send alerts to workers' devices if conditions become exceedingly hazardous.
Not all modern solutions to onsite safety come in the form of new devices. Today's construction workers and engineers have a plethora of helpful software at their disposal. Mobile apps can improve both safety and efficiency by providing tools such as tracking services or gamified training courses. Software solutions can also aid collaboration. Programs like building information modeling (BIM) allow stakeholders to stay informed of changes during the planning process in real-time.
Construction involves many repetitive, physically demanding tasks, which makes it ideal for automation. Robots can perform monotonous jobs without tiring or over-exerting themselves. By taking over these positions, they free human employees to attend to more nuanced tasks and step away from potentially dangerous situations. For processes that involve higher inherent risk, companies can employ robots so that they don't endanger their human workers. The aim of robotics is not to replace workers but to help them accomplish their goals more efficiently and safely.
Some construction companies have been slow to embrace new technologies, but the advantages are both evident and substantial. As these technologies grow more varied and more affordable, they'll likely see higher a higher adoption rate. It won't be long before most construction sites reap the benefits of advanced tech.
Integration is often a slow process, and it should be. Gradual and careful adoption of new technology will allow companies to see what options best suit their needs, as well as highlight any potential areas for improvement. At the exponential rate at which technology is advancing, the construction site of tomorrow may be virtually accident-free.
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