Technology has improved construction in countless ways. It has helped countless projects add efficiency and achieve greater profitability in the process. With that said, arguably its most impactful offering comes via safety enhancement. Keep reading as we explore how project managers are leveraging technology to improve safety at the job site.
Next-Level PPE
Construction safety begins and ends with PPE. No matter how advanced the machinery, software, and automation becomes, the industry will never stray too far from hard hats and steel-toed boots.
With that said, even these fundamental components of construction safety are more technologically-evolved than a decade ago. Smart helmets use sensors, cameras, and augmented reality features to give workers real-time information and alerts. Smart work gloves can warn workers when they have come in contact with toxic substances. Wearable exoskeletons support physical movements to reduce the risk of fatigue and overuse injuries.
Hydro Excavation
Digging is inherently destructive. Whether it be with a small hand-held shovel or gigantic commercial excavator, the process involves destroying the earth to some degree to get to a desired depth.
Unfortunately, it is all too common for more than soil to get torn up during construction projects. There are countless incidents of commercial digging resulting in damage to foundation walls, underground utility lines, and root systems of iconic trees.
Thanks to innovations in hydro excavation, this no longer has to be the case.
Hydro excavation, sometimes referred to as slot trenching, is a form of non destructive digging that uses pressurized jets of water to knock away soil. This advanced excavation method has many benefits, including:
- Greater precision during excavation
- The ability to excavate in tough recesses and other hard-to-reach areas
- Unmatched control during utility daylighting and excavation around delicate foundations
In addition, it greatly reduces soil waste at the construction site. Traditional digging results in huge mounds of moved earth that is unsightly, cumbersome, and potentially dangerous in and of itself. With hydro excavation, the slurry created from the pressurized water/soil mixture is sucked into a tanker truck and removed from the construction site, creating the cleanest, safest environment possible until underground work is complete.
3D Printing
Mark Twain famously quipped that “the difference between the right word and almost right word is the difference between the lightning bug and lightning.”
The difference between the right material and almost right material at the construction site is equally profound.
Advances in 3D printing technology are helping architects ensure that they no longer have to settle for “good enough.” By drawing up the specific parameters of any bolt or beam necessary, the 3D printer can output the ideal component for completing work, helping ensure the structural integrity of the building.
Fortified Scaffolding
Scaffolding is a crucial component of any multi-story construction project. It provides the framework on which workers can reach exterior windows and other elevated areas of the structure.
Unfortunately, hundreds of scaffolding accidents occur each year, with many the result of insufficient planking. The requirements for OSHA scaffold planks is that they must be able to support their own weight plus four times their intended load.
As with most matters pertaining to safety standards, this is just a starting point. Baseline scaffolding planks that offer the bear minimum to ensure OSHA compliance can quickly become inadequate, threatening the safety of those who use them. Some of the most common reasons that standard wood scaffolding planks fail include:
- Natural wear from use, sun exposure, and precipitation
- Unintentional overloading, either from too many workers or heavy tools and materials
- Acute impact
- Buildup of mud, mortar, and other forms of debris
To combat these issues and provide next-level safety for scaffolding, modern projects are turning to technologically-advanced expanded steel planking. The expanded mesh design of this galvanized steel product does not allow the accumulation of debris, making it a next-level option at wet and muddy construction sites. The elite strength-to-weight ratio of steel gives this plank a far greater load-bearing capacity than wood products, with the durability of steel providing long-lasting peace of mind for those in charge of scaffolding maintenance.
Streamlined Inspection
Third-party inspections are a crucial component of safe construction. They introduce trained, unbiased eyes that can spot issues that may be hiding in plain sight amid the daily grind.
Just like the technology used in building and materials is constantly evolving, so too are the resources used in construction inspection.
Infrared and laser technology can help inspectors identify potential safety breaches that may be hidden from the naked eye. Advanced modeling software can allow for side-by-side analysis as work unfolds, helping professionals instantly identify any places where actual work strays from approved blueprints. Comprehensive project management software allows for streamlined communication between all stakeholders, facilitating access to key safety documents and keeping team members instantly apprised of any emergent issues.
The Most Technologically-Advanced Means of Promoting Construction Site Safety
For all of its myriad benefits, technology’s role in creating safer job sites is arguably its most important aspect. From next-level PPE to streamlined inspection process, peruse the factors listed above for a better understanding of how technology is changing construction safety for the better. For more of the latest trends shaping the commercial construction industry, explore the resources at Construction Daily for ideas and inspiration today!
