How Wearable Technologies Are Helping Construction Safety
Wearable technologies have already become popular among many sectors in the market. It is also high time for the construction companies to introduce wearable tools in their industry due to its immense advantages for the employees. The technology can benefit, especially the workers, because they can improve safety, reduce injuries, improve efficiency, and also enhance the quality of life for the construction workers.
However, this technology may be at a very nascent stage of adoption. Still, it shows tremendous promises for the organizations that want to improve their vital areas that drive the company to its profitability, safety, and efficiency.
Defining wearable technology
A construction wearable is a device that consists of a computer or advanced electronic device that a construction worker can wear on their body, clothing, or personal protective equipment. The device is designed for collecting and delivering data about the worker’s environment, activities, and biometric conditions. The technology also can detect and warn employees about any potential for injury, or reduce the seriousness of an injury when one occurs.
The construction companies can also achieve their objectives by having portable and timely access to sensors, computers, and electronics. For a company or an industry, the protection of every employee is a serious matter which they must follow, and the industry’s emerging access to multifunctional technology and its ability to collect and analyze relevant data is revolutionizing worker protection.
How wearable technology can improve safety
Wearable technology can recognize its objectives in several ways:
Devices can warn the workers when they are near danger, such as moving equipment or a leading edge by providing audible or vibration alarms.
Gadgets also can notify the employees about any hazardous physical movement like twisting, lifting, or bending.
Devices will warn individuals when they are tired.
Devices can lighten the stress of muscular and skeletal joints by assisting them with lifting or working overhead.
In emergencies, devices will also alert the emergency personnel and lead rescuers to the location of the injured worker.
Types of wearable
It is being predicted that in the next few decades, there will be a widespread usage of wearable technologies in the construction industry. Presently, many technologies and insurance companies are collaborating with contractors to direct programs that can test various types of wearable.
The types of wearable that are currently being tested, or are limitedly used on construction sites include the following:
Visual wearable
This is a type of device that uses optical aids in or on glasses, visors, and hard hats so that it can produce images for remote viewers and the wearer. The area where a visual representation of a concept is necessary, the visual wearable can bring value to training, troubleshooting, and quality control in such situations. The wearable connects field employees with remote technical/supervisory employees and permits both parties to view items at the same time.
Tactile wearable
The device works like an exoskeleton for increasing the user’s strength and durability. The tactile wearable is designed as the exoskeletons that offer extra strength or endurance to the person wearing it. The device also limits the force on the person’s muscular-skeletal frame. However, the force is continuously monitored, and the wearable responds to protect the wearer. The employees can reduce the chances of getting back injured or strains and sprains while increasing their capacity for endurance.
Sensing wearable
The device can detect the worker’s biological, environmental, and physical conditions. Moreover, the device can also analyze data by using edge computing and notifies the employee of a dangerous situation that might injure them. There are various types of sensors, such as badges, actuators, biosensors, gyroscopes, and many more. The device record and estimates the physical condition of the person wearing it along with their location and environment. The wearable also can sense position, impact, motion, temperature, vital signs, and blood gases.
Wearable does not only have value for every person, but it also can enhance a company’s safety experience.
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