Page 41 - Occupational Health & Safety, January/February 2019

falls as they occur, triggering an imme- diate notification to safety or other per- sonnel telling them where the incidents happened, so aid can be sent quickly. Real-time incident identification and no- tification not only enable faster response and better care for injured workers, but also help to contain exposure by prevent- ing nearby workers from entering un- safe areas. In addition, sensors tagged on equipment can monitor real-time location and operation, alerting supervisors to un- authorized or unknown equipment op- erators and mitigating the risks associated with improper equipment usage.
Leveraging Data to Mitigate Risks
Forward-thinking contractors are also us- ing technology and data to revamp their job site hazard analysis programs and commu- nication with insurance partners. Worker- worn devices, for example, can paint a more accurate picture of unsafe conditions or near misses, helping companies and their insurance partners take an unbiased, hon- est look at their specific safety and loss con- trol practices. Together, construction firms and their insurance carriers can combine new and existing data sets to determine the greatest risks—such as workers with fewer than 90 days experience on site—and refine practices to better protect workers and keep projects moving forward.
Importantly, new technology is help- ing to streamline incident reporting and investigation by establishing an objective digital safety log, including the time, loca- tion, and height of a fall, as well as weather conditions on site. This helps safety lead- ers, risk managers, and insurance profes- sionals build context around an event and possible claim.
In addition, by reducing the lag time between when an incident occurs and when help arrives, the risk of compounded injuries can be reduced, resulting in less severe incidents and, ultimately, reduced insurance claims and costs. With new in- sights, both contractors and their insurance partners can make smarter decisions about their safety, risk management, and overall business strategy.
What is less obvious, but critically im- portant, is how technology and data are re- defining worker-contractor and contractor- insurer relationships. Improved visibility is resulting in improved transparency and
accountability across project participants. As the landscape changes and innova- tive technology is embraced, construction safety and insurance coverage can move beyond impersonal, one-off “transactions,” identifying bad behavior or simply reciting the latest OSHA rules, to enable a more ho- listic, collaborative approach to site safety.
Shifting the Workplace Culture
Along these lines, it’s important to under- stand that these technology tools are just that—tools—and are only one part of a larger safety program that should include education/training, communication, and coaching. Using technology and data to drive down safety incidents must be cou- pled with a commitment to reviewing and, if necessary, changing corporate culture.
A comprehensive safety program re- quires management commitment, employ- ee buy-in, and regular communication and feedback. In addition, safety technologies should enable workers to actively partici- pate in site safety, whether it’s the ability to report a hazard or signal distress from any- where in the field or two-way emergency communication capabilities.
Technology also can be used to help workers check into a safety mindset each time they step on site, reminding them that they have the power to add or sub- tract from a safe project. Rolling out new safety technology on site also provides an opportunity to kick-start other safety ini- tiatives, such as morning stretch-and-flex sessions when project teams gather to lim- ber up for the day or weekly toolbox talks where site-specific hazards or recent safety events are reviewed.
Perhaps most importantly, contractors need to stop pointing fingers at subcon- tractors or trades, shifting the narrative from “who” to “what,” and technology can help with that. Wearable technology can measure safety behaviors in a way that was previously not possible, identifying, for example, a situation where workers are jumping into an excavation pit or leaping from unfinished stairs. This will not only minimize risk exposure but also give su- pervisors an opportunity to coach safer behaviors and reinforce best practices. By using technology to reveal the factors that contribute to an incident, construction firms can pinpoint the training or tools that are needed to prevent similar events from
occurring in the future.
Looking Toward Continuous
Safety Improvement
IoT-based technologies are enabling a shift in safety management and culture, enabling enhanced visibility, streamlined communication, and a proactive approach to workplace safety and operational risk management.
For the foreseeable future, the chal- lenge—and opportunity—for the industry will not only be deciding what to measure and how best to measure it, but also what the results of this data mean for the pro- cesses, practices, and individuals who sup- port them. Construction firms, insurance professionals, and safety leaders must be data-smart to decrease job site risk, using real-time and aggregate historical data to anticipate risk and develop plans to miti- gate it, and keep projects moving forward safely and effectively.
There is a direct correlation between site safety, project quality, client satisfac- tion, and overall contractor profitability. As technology continues to transform the industry’s approach to construction pro- cesses and projects, it is also transforming how the industry detects, responds to, and reports safety incidents. Data-driven tech- nology is elevating the construction indus- try to new levels of safety, productivity, and profitability.
As President and Chief Executive Officer of Triax Technologies (www.triaxtec.com), Pete Schermerhorn manages all aspects of daily operations of the company and works closely with the senior management team to lead the company into its next phase of growth. Before joining Triax, he was a cor- porate lawyer specializing in private equity, venture capital, and mergers & acquisitions at several law firms. He holds a B.A. degree from Brown University and a J.D. from Stan- ford Law School. He has contributed to or appeared in leading industry publications. He can be reached on LinkedIn.
REFERENCES
1. https://www.enr.com/articles/45837- constuction-posts-reduction-in-non-fatal- injuries-rate
2. https://www.bdcnetwork.com/construction- tech-new-investment-darling-vc-funds
www.ohsonline.com
JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2019 | Occupational Health & Safety 35