In the world of construction, prioritising health and safety is not just a requirement but an absolute necessity. The industry is fraught with potential hazards, and ensuring the safety of workers is paramount. Failure to adhere to health and safety standards can have severe consequences. Since 2008, construction has experienced more total deaths than any other industry (and that figure doesn’t include fatalities from suicide — of which this industry also has the most.
According to OSHA’s data on common statistics, there has been a significant number of occupational fatalities, resulting in a rate of 3.4 deaths per 100,000 full-time equivalent workers. Shockingly, almost half of all fatal occupational injuries occurred in transportation and material moving occupations, as well as construction and extraction occupations. These two categories accounted for 47.4 percent of workplace deaths, with 1,282 and 976 fatalities respectively.
The impact of these accidents extends beyond human tragedy. The economic ramifications are staggering, with businesses incurring billions of dollars in costs each year due to workplace injuries and illnesses.
The AFL-CIO’s report on workplace fatalities further underscores the importance of health and safety adherence. The report highlights that the rate of workplace fatalities is on the rise, emphasising the urgent need for improved safety measures.
At Evercam, we understand the critical importance of safety in the construction industry. We are committed to providing innovative solutions that not only enhance efficiency but also ensure the well-being of workers on-site. In this blog post, we will delve deeper into the challenges faced by the industry and showcase how Evercam’s reality capture technology plays a crucial role in mitigating risks and creating a safer working environment.
To minimise accidents, construction companies can enhance safety by adhering to the recommended health and safety measures established by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE). These measures comprise:
Reality Capture holds significant potential in enhancing health and safety adherence. By utilising this technology, organisations can effectively monitor and enforce compliance with health and safety protocols, leading to a safer work environment for employees. Here’s how it works:
Reality Capture has improved how comprehensive risk assessments are conducted in the construction industry. Through the creation of digital site replicas, potential hazards can be identified and mitigated preemptively, safeguarding workers from harm. This proactive approach to safety significantly reduces the likelihood of accidents.
Site managers utilise advanced monitoring capabilities, including high-definition cameras, to observe site activities and promptly recognize any potential hazards without physically being present. This real-time monitoring enables them to take immediate action to minimise risks and ensure adherence to safety policies and regulations.
The ability to remotely review site practices not only enhances safety but also allows managers to efficiently handle multiple sites simultaneously, minimising the need for physical visits and optimising time and resources. By remotely monitoring high-definition reality capture images, site managers identify problems in real-time and take immediate remedial action to reduce the risk of harm. The below clip taken from a site shows the level of detail that can be achieved using Evercam’s reality capture platform.
Evercam’s edit tool further facilitates risk analysis and mitigation by enabling teams to mark up images and effectively communicate safety protocols, instructions, and violations to on-site staff. This tool provides a proactive approach to training, allowing employees to actively engage with safety information and site activities. By annotating images, workers can highlight critical safety details and communicate them clearly. Through the use of edit tool, organisations can foster a safer working environment by facilitating clear and effective communication of safety protocols and ensuring that employees actively participate in training processes.
The ability to stream one image every 15 seconds to the cloud in real-time throughout the project duration, with accessibility for all users during and after the project for at least three years, allows for swift access to incident footage. This facilitates efficient incident investigation by enabling prompt review and analysis of evidence, leading to the timely identification of root causes. Organisations can take immediate action to implement process remediation, improve safety measures and prevent future incidents. The clear and indisputable video evidence enhances the accuracy and efficiency of incident investigations, contributing to a safer working environment.
Reality Capture can also be used to ensure compliance with health and safety regulations. By comparing the digital model with regulatory standards, any deviations can be quickly identified and rectified.
The benefits of using Reality Capture for health and safety adherence are manifold. Here are just a few:
Reality Capture technology plays a crucial role in enhancing site safety. Enabling comprehensive risk assessments allows for a thorough evaluation of potential hazards and the implementation of effective safety measures. Through digital visualisation, the likelihood of accidents and injuries is greatly reduced, safeguarding the well-being of personnel. Additionally, by prioritising safety, companies can minimise their liability and insurance costs, as a safer work environment reduces the risk of costly incidents and legal claims.
Reality Capture streamlines various aspects of health and safety adherence, contributing to improved efficiency. It allows for the visualisation and analysis of potential hazards in a virtual environment, saving time and resources compared to traditional methods.
One of the significant advantages of Reality Capture is its ability to provide detailed and reliable documentation of a site at a specific point in time. The digital models created through Reality Capture serve as a permanent record, capturing the conditions of the site accurately. This documentation is invaluable for incident investigations, allowing investigators to review the site’s state and identify factors that may have contributed to the incident.
It provides a visual representation that enhances the understanding of the circumstances surrounding the event and assists in determining preventive measures. Furthermore, the documentation serves as evidence of compliance with health and safety regulations.
By capturing the site’s conditions and safety measures in a digital format, companies can demonstrate their commitment to maintaining a safe working environment and complying with applicable regulations. This documentation is particularly useful during audits or regulatory inspections, where a comprehensive and reliable record of safety practices is required.
Prioritising health and safety in the construction industry is of utmost importance due to the potential hazards involved. The alarming number of fatalities and injuries in the sector underscores the urgent need for improved safety measures. Evercam’s reality capture technology offers innovative solutions to mitigate risks and create safer working environments.
By utilizing reality capture, organisations can conduct comprehensive risk assessments, remotely monitor sites, enhance training and education, facilitate incident investigation, and ensure compliance with health and safety regulations. The benefits of reality capture are evident in increased safety, improved efficiency, and reliable documentation, which contribute to minimising accidents, reducing liability, and demonstrating a commitment to maintaining a safe work environment.
Contact Evercam today to learn more about how our reality capture technology can enhance your approach to health and safety in the industry. Together, let’s build a safer future for construction.