Construction Today - Vol 21 Issue 6 | Page 22

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Empowering safet

Building a safer future in construction through mobile technology and AI
By R . Mukund

The construction industry remains one of the most hazardous , accounting for nearly a quarter of all US worker fatalities in 2022 . Despite the increase in safety initiatives , injury and fatality rates have remained steady , underscoring the ongoing opportunity to improve safety practices and better address the evolving challenges of modern construction . As construction work grows in complexity , so does the pressure on workers . The pandemic exacerbated this strain as workers returned to job sites before adequate support systems were in place . Supply chain disruptions added further pressure , increasing the likelihood of accidents . Construction often involves simultaneous operations ( SimOps ), where overlapping tasks create heightened risks . In these situations , even a small error or lapse in communication can lead to a significant incident , highlighting the need for safety protocols that align with the realities workers face daily .

Empowering frontline workers by aligning safety with on-the-ground realities
Improving construction safety requires empowering frontline workers with tools that reflect the realities they face on job sites . Mobile-enabled applications are transforming how safety is managed by digitizing traditionally paper-based processes , allowing workers to complete safety inspections , track compliance , and access training materials directly from their smartphones or tablets . This shift from cumbersome paperwork to digital workflows ensures that safety protocols become part of daily routines , reducing administrative burdens and enabling workers to focus on safety , not documentation .
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