According to a report published by the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics, 4,836 workers died as a result of suffering from work-related injuries in 2015, the highest number of work-related deaths reported since 2008.

The report also went on to state that the construction industry contributed 20% of all those fatally-injured workers, a majority of whom were employed by private contractors, builders and architects.

These alarming statistics should serve as an eye opener for the concerned authorities to take much-needed action to ensure the safety of onsite as well as offsite workers in the construction industry. A regular and strict check should be maintained to see whether proper safety measures are in place on construction sites and use of technology to facilitate this aim should be incorporated where necessary.

Let’s look at 5 pieces of technology which can be used by construction companies to drastically reduce the number of accidents and deaths;

1.      Wearable Technology

Over the years, technology has come so far that it has been integrated into virtually everything we own, including the clothing items and accessories we wear. Likewise, tech companies have recognized the importance of worker safety and have come up with construction accessories and attire, such as smart eye wear, helmets and hardhats, watches and high-visibility (HV) clothing, to name a few.

Smart eye wear, such as Google Glass, is a personal heads-up display which allows quick access to required information on-the-go, reducing instances where the worker may be distracted and depends on information passed on from others. The usage of carbon fiber helmets and hardhats have also increased at it provides better protection to workers against head injuries due to the material’s ability to absorb much more damage before shattering.

2.      Drones

A construction site is a very dangerous place where a slight error can be the difference between life and death. Some areas may also be inaccessible or difficult to reach by a person, resulting in work coming to a standstill.

A drone can prove helpful in these situations. As a result of being small and size, it can be used for a variety of purposes, including accessing no-go areas and providing visibility where there is no clear line of sight. It can also be used to monitor construction sites by feeding live video, capturing pictures and in the transportation of small equipment from one place to another on-site.

3.      Cameras

A vast majority of construction site deaths and accidents can be attributed to human error, including poor judgment and indecisiveness. In many instances, decisions also need to be made based on one’s instincts due to a lack of information and means to get it.

With the range of wireless cameras (HC-140 and HC-180) from HoistCam^TM, you can now view every situation up-close to make a better and more calculated decision. They provide a sharp and crystal clear image during the day as well as the night to ensure accuracy in all construction site tasks, including crane operation.

4.      Software and Remote Connectivity

Globalization has resulted in redefining the meaning of interconnectedness. The nature of work has become so competitive that it has severely limited our capacity to be anywhere as and when required. Thus, this lack of availability has given rise to a number of remote monitoring tools and software to be present through virtual means.

HoistCam™ Director Remote Enterprise Software is one such way to maintain a virtual presence and supervise construction operations without needing to physically be on the site. The software can be integrated with all HoistCam™ cameras through Wi-Fi as well as 3G/4G connectivity for monitoring and directing purposes.

5.      Smart Devices

Smart devices have been around for quite some time now and their industrial, commercial and private applications are only increasing with each passing day. From sending something as simple as a text to sharing documents and designs in the workplace, the possibilities are endless.

HoistCam™ Director Remote Enterprise Software, the HoistCam™ Low Profile (HC-140) and the HoistCam™ Armored Dome Wireless Camera (HC-180) is some equipment which make use of smart devices to display and record live feeds, among other numerous functions. The HC-140 and HC-180 come with 9.7-inch tablets which display image and video in real-time and can also be wirelessly connected to smart phones and monitors for playing recordings, accessing archives and using the 3D video rendering function.