Technology is changing our lives. It can make our daily lives easier, it provides us with instant entertainment, and it can impact our health care for the better. As it turns out, it is having a huge impact on the construction industry too.
Whether you or someone you love works in construction, you know how dangerous it can be. Technology can help. Whether you drive a crane, you lay cement, or you install roofs, there are many ways technology is making construction zones safer.
Wearable Devices
Wearable devices are normal in our everyday lives. A smartwatch can help you take calls and keep track of your schedule on your wrist, while fitness trackers can make sure you meet your fitness goals. There are also different kinds of wearables that are being used in the construction industry. They include devices that can:
- Warn workers when heavy construction equipment is near
- Monitor physiological changes, like heat stress
- Identify when, where, and how far someone falls on the job
Although most wearable tech in our everyday lives includes devices that are worn around the wrist, construction workers have more choices. They can be imbedded in clothing, attached to helmets, clipped onto eyewear, and placed on a belt. These options are often less intrusive for construction workers, and depending on the kind of device they are using, placing them somewhere else besides the wrist can make them more effective.
Virtual Reality Training
Virtual reality training is being used in many different industries. It’s a great way to help teens learn how to drive and pilots learn how to fly a plane, while retail stores are even using it so employees can practice what to do in case of a robbery.
It’s extremely helpful in the construction industry too. Hands-on experience is important in construction, but getting enough of it can be a challenge. Not to mention, it can be dangerous. With a virtual reality program, welders can practice using tools without the threat of being burned, hopeful electricians can practice without the possibility of being electrocuted, and construction teams can practice building in dangerous situations before they actually arrive on-site.
Self-Driving Equipment and Machinery
Self-driving cars always seem to be in the news. There’s no denying that they are the future of personal transportation. It’s only a matter of time. That’s because driver error causes the majority of accidents on the road. Without a driver, being on the road inside a vehicle is much safer.
The same is true when it comes to construction equipment, so it should come as no surprise that self-driving technology is being used in this industry too. Equipment that can drive itself is safer when dealing with steep slopes, unstable ground, and other risky situations.
There are other types of devices that are helping the construction industry too! Bricklaying machines can make short work of a wall that’s being built, while a 3D printer can create components so they don’t have to be created by hand.
Exoskeletons
Sometimes, danger in the construction industry isn’t as obvious as falling or getting injured in an instant by a machine. Instead, it’s something that happens over time.
Being in construction can be hard on your body, especially if you push yourself a little too hard. An exoskeleton can help.
Exoskeletons can be extremely helpful when lifting heavy items. They can support the body and even provide the wearer with enough support to lift heavier objects than they would be able to lift on their own. They can support proper posture and take stress off of muscles, bones, and joints, which can make working in construction a lot less tiring and painful.
Environmental Sensors
The construction site itself isn’t always all that safe, and it isn’t always what you can see. Sometimes, it’s what you can’t see that can pose some serious health risks.
Environmental sensors can help keep everyone safe by measuring air quality and setting off an alarm if it becomes dangerous. Other types of sensors can measure temperature and pressure to ensure workers remain safe.
Humidity sensors are especially helpful, as they can determine if there is even the smallest leak before it turns into a huge problem. It can also prevent mold growth that can be dangerous to human health.
Working construction is one of the most dangerous occupations you can choose. Fortunately, it’s only getting safer as the years go by, and it’s getting safer with the help of the technology on this list.
