Construction sites are inherently dangerous places. Whether it is unfinalised infrastructure or heavy machinery, it is a place where potential accidents can happen. The construction industry has been slow to innovate regarding safety and security. However, in recent years, advancements in wearable technology have brought about a significant shift in the industry’s approach to safety measures. The integration of high-visibility wearable technology has made work environments safer by leveraging advanced technology to combat traditional safety hazards. In this blog post, we will take a closer look at how wearable technology is improving safety in gadgets for construction sites.
One of the most significant benefits of wearable technology is that it enhances visibility. High-visibility vests and clothing have been long-used safety equipment for construction workers, but the downside is they offer only static visibility. However, new high-visibility wearable technology illuminates a steady or pulsing glow in low light environments, making it easy for site supervisors and other workers to monitor workers visually. These wearable gadgets are equipped with LED lights and are made from light-weight, durable materials, to ensure that workers are visible at all times.
In addition to the visual safety benefits of wearable technology, earplugs with added safety features can help improve safety on construction sites. Many construction jobs involve working with noisy operations such as drilling, cutting and welding, which can lead to hearing loss. Safety earplugs come equipped with a built-in accelerometer and noise measuring sensor that can detect when the sound level goes above the safe limit, alerting workers to protect their hearing. The earplugs also have microphones that allow workers to communicate with others without any need to remove them.
Wearable technology has also come in handy in coordinating worker motion and reducing fatigue. Smartwatches have been designed with features that monitor a worker’s activity status, including step counts, heart rate, and other vital signs. With this knowledge, site supervisors can intervene when fatigue levels are too high to reduce accidents’ chances. The watches also have features that coordinate worker movements to minimise communication errors. This increases safety and reduces the risk of accidents. In addition, wearable technology can be used to track workers in real-time, allowing for more efficient coordination of operations.
Wearable technology also helps workers with physical disabilities such as deafness or blind spots. During construction sites’ operations, these workers may have difficulty seeing, hearing or communicating due to the working environment’s noise levels. Technology like augmented reality smart glasses and vibrate vests not only improve communication levels but also alert personnel with visual or audio alerts. The glasses’ audio sensors provide real-time audio feedback that can warn workers of potential dangers, while the vibrating vests alert workers to changes in their environment.
The construction industry faces unique safety challenges, and the need for innovative wearable technology has grown rapidly in recent years. High-visibility wearable technology devices that provide static or pulsating visibility, noise-cancelling earplugs and audio-visual warning systems are some of the excellent examples of wearable technology that improve safety in construction sites. These gadgets allow construction workers to conduct their jobs safely and with fewer accidents, thereby reducing insurance premiums for construction companies.