Construction is, statistically speaking, one of the most dangerous industries to work in the UK – with only agriculture providing it with competition when it comes to workplace injury and death. Fortunately, the situation has improved over the years with thanks to the dispersal of more rigid health and safety cultures in the workplace as required by governmental legislations around the matter.

The role of technology cannot be understated, either, providing forward strides in the ways in which managers and/or employers carry more in-depth risk assessments and efficient safety training for their staff. The industry can wield an unprecedented range of tools in order to make itself safer and thereby drive down absenteeism, drive up productivity and ultimately make construction more rewarding for everyone involved.

Let’s take a look at some of the ways that technology might have helped to make the construction industry safer.

Effective risk assessment

Risk assessments are a vital part of the health and safety process and is recommended that they be reviewed on an annual basis. Conducted regularly, they can identify where particular accidents might occur, and help to prevent them from doing so – or, at least, minimise the potential harms.

Technology can allow risk assessments to be conducted more easily, and more often. For example, many organisations, especially those that present higher levels of risk are utilising artificial intelligence to regularly analyse and monitor potential dangers as well as alerting staff within real time, thereby significantly reducing the chance of harm or fatalities.

Digital developments also come with logistical advantages by introducing more streamlined processes that can eliminate paperwork and reduce any chance of complacency and/or subtle risks being overlooked. It will also allow for greater accountability since every assessment will still be required to be digitally signed off by a responsible person.

Technological advancements in protective textiles

Personal protective equipment has improved greatly over the years with advances in technologies that are producing tailor engineered materials such as fabrics aluminized or thermal sensitive qualities or fibre structures that provide protection against biohazardous substances, therefore providing a symbiosis or both protection and practicality. Not only is it more effective at preventing harm, but are further ergonomically designed to increase comfort and practicality for the wearer whilst simultaneously being less obtrusive. The latter quality increases the likelihood of such items actually being used, which is a prerequisite for it being effective. Modern work gloves, for example, are flexible enough to allow for detailed work to be done, while still protecting the wearer from hazards like the cold.

Accident prevention and response

Signage and protective equipment can help to drive down accidents, in part by creating a culture of vigilance. Employers that put in place rules to mandate certain practices, like wearing hard hats, will tend to be safer.

When an accident does occur, the quality of the available first aid can make a big difference in determining the overall outcome. While we might not think of the contents of a first-aid kit as cutting-edge, the fact is that their availability is a result of increasingly sophisticated manufacturing processes, which have helped to improve results. What’s more, training in first aid can be provided through technology, with the aid of virtual reality environments. This means that the response to any given accident can be improved substantially.

Should contractors be investing in construction technologies?

Whether technology will make for a worthwhile investment will depend on the circumstances of the individual contractor. In many cases, however, the answer is an obvious yes – especially when we consider the potential downsides of failing to invest. Protective equipment might not only protect a worker’s physical body – it might also protect their means of earning a living.