As technology keeps on growing, so as wearable technology. Now, PPE wearables, such as, safety vests hard hats, and safety gloves, have environmental and biometric sensors, WiFi, GPS tracker, and other technological innovation that could alert and protect workers from potential hazards.
1) Wearables Prevent Injuries
To ensure overall success, it’s essential that the environment on the job site is safe from any danger. Smart wearables make it possible for construction companies to offer safety to workers, especially in dangerous areas.
The features these various technologies have could alert workers to hazardous situations. It can be something as simple as identifying that the ladder is a little out of reach, or if the carbon monoxide in the construction site is at dangerous levels. This kind of notices would save a worker’s life.
The use of wearables in a construction site creates a safety assessment for workers, and it’s also an excellent way to support the team. Wherein, if one of the workers has to take risks, then the whole team must work together to ensure the safety of everyone.
2) Data From Wearables Can Transfer Information
Aside from avoiding injuries, data from wearables can also be used to transmit information. For example, hard hats are now embedded with special goggles that allow project supervisors to get information from them. In fact, contractor and project managers can now view the changes happening on the project instead of waiting and guessing what these changes will be.
There are also some hard hats with specialized visors that could support 360-degree cameras, as well as 3D imaging. The new hard hats being developed could also send medical data that could inform project managers if the worker’s health is being compromised.
3) Safety Vests with GPS Badges
Even the safety vests used in the construction site are now designed with GPS badges that notify employees whenever they are going to a danger zone. Because construction workers are always on the move on the job site, it’s imperative for project managers to be able to pinpoint potential issues and inefficiencies that could ensure optimal time management.
4) Safety Glasses Equipped with Camera
Even safety glasses are now equipped with cameras that are connected to the Internet. Which means providing real-time feedback has become possible and what’s viewed on the work site can easily be communicated back to the manager. This ensures instantaneous communication and any problem can be resolved right away.
5) Alerting Employees Real Time
It’s essential for construction managers to be able to watch over their workers and notify them about potential hazards even before they happen. This is what real-time locating system can handle. This kind of technology utilizes radio frequency signals to communicate with workers through the tags attached to the objects worn by them. It’s a system capable of determining and tracking the location of tagged objects in real time.
RTLS badges are capable of identifying the worker’s location anywhere on the job site, and this kind of information can be used to alert the worker if there are any nearby hazards, such as heavy equipment. If needed, the worker can merely push the call button to call for help.
6) Sensor-Based Technology
New technology doesn’t only improve productivity, but it also enhances safety. Technology in the form of GPS, drones, and AR are now being utilized to prevent accidents at the construction site, and smart sensors are also taking the game to the next level. Wearable sensors keep track of employee slips and fall in real time, and this also notifies the wearer of any hazards within the work site.
Additionally, sensor-based systems help contractors and owners efficiently monitor the job site– both in and out of the building. Then, there are also sensors being developed to track the changes happening in the environment and send alerts to those who are in charge. This can be quite effective, especially during situations where the worker can’t contact the project managers during accidents.
The construction industry has been adopting new technologies to keep the worker’s safe while on the job site. Hopefully, for the following years, not only will we be able to enjoy overall productivity, but the peace of mind that the construction workers won’t be at risk anymore.
