The Future Of Construction Job Safety

The combination of PPE and IoT technology will have a considerable impact not only on worker safety but also on the efficiency of production on a construction job site. With proper wearables, such as safety vests, and sensors embedded in equipment, these would dramatically improve worker health and safety.

Not just that, it would also reduce costs, improve work productivity, and decrease worker injury. In fact, these are just some of the main reasons why smart wearables are continually being developed.

How the Internet of Things Handle This Trend

The IoT technology answers this demand by transforming everyday objects into “smart” products– tools with innovative features that increase efficiency and enhance usability. These are more than just nifty gadgets. Smart products are being utilized to the fullest, and they have been dynamic in several industries for the past few years.

As we talk about this, it’s obvious to figure out the factors behind this fast rise in smart technology adoption. Wherein, electronics and hardware costs continue to fall, and the loss of connectivity, as well as the embedded sensors,  are slowly adapting smart technology.

Then there are also connectivity solutions, such as Zigbee, Wi-Fi, Broadband communications, and mobile networks being capable of supporting vast volumes of IoT connectivity without the need to spend a lot.

Merging Conventional Construction Practices With Smart PPE

This force is slowly entering PPE. Wherein, workers are starting to depend on PPE when it comes to ensuring safety. Employers, end users, and purchases have a robust public interest. To ensure that PPE, as well as other safety equipment, won’t only comply with the regulations, but it would also dramatically improve protection by eradicating the risks of accidents and injuries within the workplace. However, it’s still up to the project managers if they’re going to request for safety equipment, and from which they are going to make this purchase. This gives the IoT technology an opportunity for the flourishing health and safety equipment market.

Strict regulations, as well as the need to be able to distinguish what is available and the search for better solutions have been inspiring the market to consider expansion.

Similar to other industries, smart sensors, and wearables capable of improving safety are slowly being adopted by manufacturers and factories that is gradually encouraging regulations changes that aim to improve the overall efficiency of the workplace.

Possible Challenges To Come

Perhaps, one of the most notable challenges a lot of safety professionals have to face is to look for ways on how to efficiently increase user safety. This applies to every industry– from construction sites to factories, work environment and so on. In fact, according to surveys, there has been around 2.9 million non-fatal injuries and illnesses that happened in these industries. It often ranges from environmental hazards to actual equipment malfunctions.

For instance, industrial noise is one of the hazards often overlooked at. Each year, there are more than 22 million US workers who are regularly exposed to damaging noise levels. Not just that, even in environments where it seems to be uncontaminated, there’s still the risk that it can be hazardous to your workers– paint, wood, dust particles, and other harmful chemicals could contribute to breathing problems and even long-term health issues.

With PPE and IoT technology, employers would be able to better worker health, as well as safety without spending a lot on production costs. This has been made possible with the help of PPE wearables, as well as sensor-embedded solutions that can be used in almost any industry.

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Author Bio:

Chris is a Digital Media Strategy Consultant in Orlando, FL who provides national brands with freelance copywriting, PPC Management Services, and SEO strategies.  Chris is also passionate emerging technologies and traffic safety issues.