The adoption of new technologies like automation and robotics is necessary to enhance the safety of construction worksites
Construction is inherently a risky business. Complex projects often involve half-built structures, heavy machinery, fluctuating weather conditions, and the coordination of large work crews, making the element of risk unavoidable. While many occupations have become less risky, construction work has become more dangerous. Between 2011 and 2019, construction worker deaths increased by 41%, with the trend continuing upward.
Companies in a fast-paced global construction industry see that a business-as-usual approach could be more effective. Ensuring safety on construction sites requires a new strategy for managing and mitigating hazards as on-site technology becomes more widespread. This necessitates the adoption of new technologies, including automation and robotics, to enhance the safety of construction worksites.
The rise of machine-driven construction sites
Robots and automated tools are already transforming construction sites. Automated masonry tools can dramatically increase the speed of construction—one prototype robot can lay 1,000 bricks per hour, for instance, while reducing the need for human workers to haul heavy pallets of brick or mortar around worksites. Autonomous vehicles and ‘driverless dozers’ are also starting to break through, promising to allow heavy equipment to complete risky tasks while keeping humans safely out of harm’s way.
Other technologies are already widely utilized: drones, for instance, are used on at least 37% of construction sites, and they can significantly reduce the need for human workers to climb to high areas for inspections. With falls from dangerous heights accounting for more than a third of fatal construction accidents, this proves a significant positive safety improvement. There is also potential for drone-mounted sensors to help detect heat signatures to prevent fires and dangerous equipment malfunctions, and in commercial spaces, robots are being used to detect slip-and-fall hazards.
The benefits of automated construction site tools are evident. Automating high-risk activities significantly enhances the safety of construction workers, allowing them to perform dangerous tasks remotely. Many injuries, some of them fatal, result from human error. Automated systems, with their precision and consistency, can eliminate this factor. Properly configured robotic systems do not make mistakes, and in the event of a malfunction, the equipment is replaceable, not human lives.
Don’t take safety for granted.
However, there are challenges associated with the use of automation on construction sites. Many construction workers report finding it distracting to work alongside drones – evidence suggests that even when drones operate at a considerable distance, they can cause workers to look away from their tasks. To use drones safely, they must manage their deployment effectively and ensure they coordinate with human workers. This will enable teams to operate safely and confidently across various worksite settings.
New technologies such as robot exoskeletons are also a mixed blessing: they can significantly reduce the strain on human workers, making many workplace injuries less prevalent, but any technology that helps a single human lift 1,000 pounds brings potential dangers, too. These new capabilities bring new risks and require proper training and new safety protocols to ensure their safe use.
Worksite automation also aims to increase productivity. New tools or technologies enabling a worker to complete a task independently are beneficial. However, having fewer people involved in a task can sometimes allow mistakes to be noticed. Proper planning and checklists are essential to mitigate this risk. Using digital tablets and other systems to deliver and track these measures seamlessly will ensure that automation does not lead to potentially dangerous oversights.
A safer future for construction teams
Robots will bring both potential benefits and new risks to construction worksites. Capturing these benefits and managing the risks requires proactive integrating new technologies into worksites and workflows smartly and responsibly. It is essential to avoid merely patching together new technologies and expecting seamless and safe operation without central oversight. As construction increasingly relies on new technologies, complete visibility into the processes, equipment, and personnel across worksites is necessary.
The manufacturing sector offers a valuable model where industrial robots and automated systems are standard. Facility managers use “virtual twins” to digitally track every aspect of their equipment, from motor rpm to worker and automated vehicle locations to factory floor temperature. This enhances operational efficiency and provides centralized oversight and communication, ensuring safety.
Achieving similar success with new technology in construction will require proper training and education for construction teams. Workers will need to become adept at both manual labour and knowledge work. Following safety guidelines and processes for using sophisticated tools in real-time will be crucial. Making this process easy and seamless for human workers will ensure teams work safely and efficiently while overcoming potential resistance to automated tools.
As we introduce new automated and robotic technologies, we must remember that construction worksites are complex places where humans and machines come together to get the job done. Using digital tools for education, training, worksite management, risk prediction and mitigation, asset tracking, communication, and related purposes will be essential as we strive to make construction sites the safest they can be for their workers.