“AI-powered intelligent cameras are taking risk detection to a whole new level.”
Why this is important: The use of heavy equipment, machinery, and a variety of motorized vehicles is required in the construction industry. Unfortunately, construction work in the U.S. has resulted in a frightening statistic: although construction workers represent 7.3 percent of the U.S. workforce, they are disproportionately involved in workplace accidents, with 21.7 percent of workplace fatalities involving construction workers. Reasons for this terrible statistic include the use of motor vehicles, operation of moving parts in the machinery and equipment on job sites, opportunities for human error, and often unforeseen risks. To combat this grim statistic, and improve safety for construction workers, some construction industry teams are turning to technology.
What kind of technology? Video telematics, which is a combination of AI-powered intelligent cameras and sensors that can, for example, allow construction equipment operators to have a 360-degree view of their surroundings, and can provide real-time data for analysis by the site manager who is monitoring the work, but who is physically located elsewhere. Moreover, the use of AI-enhanced smart cameras expands the range of the scan for risks up to 65 feet away from the activity so the operator and the individuals in a potential danger zone have more reaction time to avoid collisions. Risk managers can review recorded footage to plan and stage work on the job site based upon data that is captured with mobile digital video recorders (“MDVRs”) that can be collected by a cloud-based platform on a 24/7 basis. If an accident occurs on the job site, the use of both video footage and telematics data can provide valuable information on what happened, whether it was operator error, equipment malfunction, or a coordination mishap. The data can also be used for safety training. OSHA’s guidelines for workplace health and safety favor proactive action by those in charge of work sites, including the use of video to detect and reduce risks. The use of AI-powered video telematics can be incorporated to enhance worker safety to make a real dent in the construction industry statistics involving serious injuries and fatalities. --- Stephanie U. Eaton
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