Keeping construction workers and areas surrounding a construction site safe is a major priority, which is why it’s essential to stay updated with the latest safety trends, especially in accessibility and safety technology.
Construction site managers and architects are always looking for the latest in safety technology to help create a safer environment for those working at all hours on the site and people who live or work near it. Here are some of the most recent trends that are helping keep construction workers and bystanders safer.
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Automation of Heavy Equipment
Automation of heavy equipment is one of the main trends that is helping keep construction zones safer. Automation means that machines can complete a process without human intervention, and it’s something that construction companies are using more and more. There are many plenty of reasons to use automation in construction.
Safety is the first, when workers don’t have to operate heavy machinery, they will be less likely to get hurt or killed on a job site. Another reason is that automation can make the job easier by reducing physical strain on operating equipment manually.
Finally, automation can help reduce costs because it reduces labor hours required for projects where there might not be enough people available with adequate skills to do specific tasks manually.
Smart Helmets and Wearable Devices
Today’s hard hats are equipped with smart features that help improve worker safety. These devices can detect when a person has fallen or been struck by an object and alert others of the problem.
Smart helmets also have sensors that allow them to communicate with other devices such as cranes and machinery to prevent accidents from occurring.
They may also contain cameras that record events in real-time and provide evidence if an accident takes place on the jobsite, so companies know what happened and how to prevent similar incidents from happening again in future projects.
Traffic Cones and Barriers
Traffic cones are another essential tool for keeping drivers safe in construction zones. These cones help drivers know where they should be driving and where they should not be driving by putting them in the middle of the roadway or along the side of the road.
Workers need to place these cones correctly so that drivers will see them and know where to pass. That’s why you’ll see reflective tape on cones and notice that many of them have lights in them, so they’ll be easier to spot at night.
Another construction technology trend that helps keep construction zones safe is barriers. One of the biggest dangers at a job site is being hit by a vehicle and that is why the barriers are designed.
3D Printing
Construction workers are using 3D printers to create components of buildings on site. This is being done both to help keep construction zones safer and help increase the building process’s efficiency.
Typically, 3D printers are used for prototyping, but as technology has advanced, people have started using them in the field. Companies have been using 3D printing to create concrete walls that can be used to build a structure.
By making them on-site, workers don’t have to pay for shipping for large walls that would take too much space on a truck. The benefit of this is that it helps reduce the number of accidents that can happen when a wall falls off a truck or if a truck cannot make it through traffic.
This also makes it easier for workers to work under any weather conditions because they don’t have to worry about materials getting stuck or not being shipped on time because of bad weather conditions.
Drones
Drones can survey a job site from the sky to make sure everything is looking safe and organized. This is useful when you want to see if all of your procedures for keeping your workers safe are actually working, and it’s also great for making sure that everything is on track with your projects.
Some drone models now have thermal imaging technology built into them, which can be incredibly helpful for spotting any areas where there may be heat buildup or fire hazards. Technicians can use this information to help prevent fires from starting or spreading out of control.
In some cases, it might even be possible for technicians to use drones equipped with thermal imaging technology as a way of locating lost people or animals who have wandered into the construction zone by looking for the heat signature they give off with this technology.
Conclusion
Whether you are in the planning phase for a new construction site or already have a project underway, you must be prepared to help keep your site safe. Several specific technologies come together to promote safer work zones and construction sites.
Some of these are low-tech, and still, others are pretty advanced. The best practices for keeping construction sites safe include using the latest and most effective technology available. Using this cutting-edge technology, we can use innovation to help make construction zones safer than ever before.