Construction is a high-risk industry that requires proper training and precautions to keep workers safe. According to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), one out of every five workplace fatalities is a construction worker. Identifying the leading causes of workplace injuries is a good start, but it’s not enough to implement effective safety measures. Many in the construction industry are turning to artificial intelligence (AI) to eliminate hazards and prevent avoidable accidents.
The following are several ways AI is making meaningful improvements to construction safety:
- Around-the-clock monitoring. Connected devices, IoT data, and remote monitoring systems provide real-time visuals of the entire construction site. Site supervisors are still necessary to ensure a hazard-free construction zone. However, they can’t always have eyes on everyone. Continual monitoring helps fill the gaps and allows construction companies to build data-driven safety training and remain compliant with OSHA regulations.
- Personal protective equipment (PPE) enforcement. OSHA reported that fall protection violations were the most prevalent safety citation issued in construction during the fiscal year 2021, followed by respiratory protection violations. PPE prevents injuries and saves lives, but compliance is an ongoing challenge for many construction companies. Remote monitoring systems equipped with AI can use advanced mapping technology to identify if workers are wearing the required PPE for the work they’re performing.
- Predicting cyber and physical threats. Security systems equipped with machine learning can predict certain threats. For example, physical breach attempts often follow cyberattacks. Hackers may attempt to break into a security system to access and steal from a construction site without challenge. AI can automatically increase surveillance on the most likely areas for physical breaches following a cyber event and send alerts to construction managers. Over time, the AI can use theft-related data to predict future cyberattacks and burglaries.
- Thwarting industrial espionage. It’s not difficult for employees from a competing company to blend in among many other construction workers. Wearable devices, security tokens, and other forms of remote access can protect construction sites from competitors trying to gather information to gain an edge. AI can trigger silent alarms or notify site supervisors when unauthorized visitors enter the site. Looking the part is no longer sufficient to conceal covert competitors investigating the site.
Artificial intelligence enhances construction site security and safety through advanced monitoring and machine learning. The technology can analyze everything about the site and compare all its factors against previous data sets to identify and mitigate risks. AI can also uncover previously unnoticed patterns from historical data to amplify site security. Contact Windermere Insurance Group to learn more about mitigating the risks that threaten your construction company.