THANK YOU FOR SUBSCRIBING
× 
Construction Tech Review Weekly Brief
Be first to read the latest tech news, Industry Leader's Insights, and CIO interviews of medium and large enterprises exclusively from Construction Tech Review
How Technology is Advancing Construction Safety in the UK
Construction Tech Review | Friday, May 27, 2022
As the demand for construction in the UK continues to increase, companies are finding the need to keep up. One way companies are addressing the growing demands is by adopting new technologies. Various technologies are available in construction today, and many technologies continue to evolve, helping construction companies to address the increasing demands. And as it turns out, almost every aspect of the business operations have benefited from these technologies, including safety.
Read on to find out how technology is advancing construction safety in the UK.
Stay ahead of the industry with exclusive feature stories on the top companies, expert insights and the latest news delivered straight to your inbox. Subscribe today.
1. Tech to Track Accidents
One way technologies can improve safety in the construction industry is by tracking hazards before and after to prevent future accidents. Unmanned aerial vehicles or drones conduct on-site surveys to look for structural faults. These devices are equipped with video and photographic technologies and can identify dangers and map any hazardous areas.
Another commonly used technology in construction is site sensors. These can be installed in different areas within the construction site to keep track of variables like humidity, temperature, pressure, noise level, dust particles, and chemical compounds. The data that these sensors collected will be used to prevent workers from getting exposed to hazardous materials or harmful situations.
As we move to a more advanced and innovative world, the possibilities of technologies are almost limitless. Some of the most cutting-edge technologies include power-assisted suits that assist workers in bending, lifting, and carrying heavy things, preventing the likelihood of fatigue and injury. Wearable devices are also among the most commonly used technologies to ensure safety. From heart monitors to fitness trackers, these devices are attached to work clothing and accessories to monitor the workers' health. Workers can also wear smart boots or hardhards that can identify potential hazards.
2. Online, Interactive Training
Online health and safety courses offer many advantages to construction companies. These interactive health and safety courses help to bring awareness to health and safety on construction sites. Since the training is virtual, there will be no work interruptions since there's no need to gather the employees in a group. They are free to choose which schedule suits them best.
These online interactive health and safety training courses can help keep construction workers safe from danger, which should be a priority for every construction company. The training covers everything, from first aid to mental health, fire safety, and manual handling. At the end of the training, the employee will gain a deeper understanding of health and safety at work, which helps minimise risks.
One of the biggest advantages of online training is that it has interactive features that keep employees more engaged. For instance, some courses come with interactive games, complete with scores, which is a fun way to provide feedback to employees while challenging them to learn. These training courses cater to different learning styles, suitable for various types of employees. As you know, every individual has different learning styles, and these online training courses can provide content that can work for everyone.
3. Site Communication
Thanks to technology, employees can easily communicate on-site, which further enhances safety. Such technology is especially beneficial for employees working at big construction sites. Improved communication can minimise risks and enhance productivity.
Misunderstandings between employees could lead to costly mistakes, injuries, and even loss of life. Therefore, technologies that can help improve communication can be a big help in improving safety at construction. Indeed, new technologies are rapidly improving the way construction approaches safety. Instead of merely recording incidents as they occur, there are now technologies to predict and avoid them.
Some apps collect data from construction sites and will use the data collected to look for patterns that could indicate upcoming hazards. The app will then notify workers and supervisors about the possible dangers so they can take proper action to prevent accidents. In addition, these apps can help supervisors to spot non-compliance with health and safety laws.
4. Robotics
Robots are now being deployed in various construction sites to improve worker safety. Some of them will take over dangerous tasks to ensure the safety of employees. They can be programmed to perform human tasks, including more complex actions such as moving and carrying heavy loads. But for these robots to function well and carry out the tasks they are supposed to do, companies should hire competent electronic engineers specialising in maintaining and programming robotics.
Another way robots can improve safety on construction sites is by lifting heavy loads on the employees' behalf. Humans can never compete with robotics in lifting heavy objects. These machines have made heavy lifting faster, safer, and easier on construction sites. Robots are also more efficient at doing repetitive tasks. One of the most common reasons why people often get injured at work is doing repetitive tasks. Robots are more capable of performing these tasks safer and more efficiently.
They can also program robots for remote operation, which further enhances safety on construction sites. For instance, instead of working directly from a crane or bulldozer, human operators can remotely control robots that will be responsible for operating these machines, taking construction safety to a higher level.
5. Keeping Records
Technologies can also be used to keep records in construction, such as tracking incidents and recording employees' movements. Monitoring activities can help to improve safety and productivity.
Technology solutions that allow contractors to gather data about workforce and safety incidents can help improve safety in the construction industry. Data is essential in every industry and collecting robust safety data is the key to identifying workplace hazards.
Check Out This : Semiconductor Tech Companies
Collecting data also helps identify poor safety habits and unsafe behaviours that they should correct to prevent danger. In addition, collecting behavioural and environmental observations allow contractors and managers to identify trends. For instance, after collecting workplace data, they could determine that accidents are more common at the end of the project, as most workers are in a rush to finish them. By knowing this trend, they can take the necessary steps to keep employees from rushing and prevent future accidents.
Check Out This : PropTech Companies
More in News
Complex construction programs rarely fail at collaboration because teams lack software. Friction appears when architects, engineers, contractors and owners work in different applications, exchange files at different stages and lose context as information crosses those boundaries. A collaboration platform, therefore has to do more than centralize documents. It must preserve usable project information while allowing specialist teams to keep the tools that suit their work. Locking every participant into one environment may simplify administration, but it can create migration costs and disrupt established workflows. Procurement should test how much coordination depends on everyone adopting the same application and what happens when an outside consultant does not.
Interoperability deserves close scrutiny because project information changes hands repeatedly. Neutral exchange formats and documented standards can reduce dependence on proprietary file structures, but support for those standards is only useful when models, comments, revisions and project records remain usable across applications. Buyers should examine how a system handles cross-platform data exchange and whether handoffs preserve enough context for downstream work. API access also matters where project teams rely on software from multiple vendors. A platform that connects only within its own product family can leave the same gaps at organizational boundaries that it was purchased to remove. Compatibility should be tested against the actual authoring and review tools already present across a project network.
Role-specific workflow support is another practical constraint. Designers, BIM coordinators, site teams and reviewers do not work from identical interfaces or information sets. Collaboration software should let each group perform its own task without forcing every participant into a generic workspace. Model checking, markup, document review and mobile access may sit in different applications, yet the underlying project information still needs to stay connected. Buyers should look closely at how issues move between tools and how revisions are recorded. Decision history should remain traceable to the source material that prompted each change, particularly when responsibility passes between disciplines.
Cloud access can widen participation, but governance around shared information is equally important. Real-time review is useful only when permissions and version control remain clear enough to support accountability. That becomes harder on programs where design teams, contractors, specialist consultants and asset stakeholders enter and leave at different stages. The system should support continuity beyond a single handoff and keep data accessible as a project crosses phase boundaries and later enters use. Procurement should test whether information remains reliable after a software change or a team transition. Long-lived access matters because project data often outlasts the application release or contractual phase in which it was created.
Nemetschek Group (ETR: NEM) addresses this problem through specialized applications connected by open standards rather than a single all-purpose platform. Its portfolio includes Graphisoft BIMcloud for cloud collaboration, ALLPLAN BIMPLUS for BIM coordination, Solibri for model checking and Bluebeam tools for document review and markup. Its OPEN BIM approach supports neutral data exchange through IFC and BCF without requiring every participant to adopt the same authoring environment. External connections, including Autodesk integrations, extend that approach across company boundaries. The portfolio gives project teams room to retain familiar applications while keeping shared information connected across handoffs. For buyers prioritizing interoperability and role-specific workflow continuity, Nemetschek merits serious consideration.
...Read more
Construction companies are confronted with significant challenges in an increasingly complex environment. Project teams must effectively coordinate activities, disseminate information, and implement construction workflows across various job sites, offices, contractors, and stakeholders. The complexity and scale of larger construction projects exacerbate difficulties in maintaining productivity and ensuring seamless communication.
For construction companies to operate more effectively and enhance overall collaboration, the use of collaboration and workflow efficiency software has become a necessity. These solutions integrate communication, project management, process automation, document control, and performance tracking into one platform, making it easy to keep construction projects running smoothly and successfully across Europe.
Effectively Improving Team Communication across Distributed Work Environments
A number of teams with various locations and job sites undertake projects. The tools for enabling collaboration should enable real-time communication, no matter where the parties are located. Construction collaboration platforms offer team messaging, shared spaces, discussion threads, mobile access, and file sharing, ensuring connection for all project stages throughout Europe.
One centralised communication reduces the need to find a way around several applications and keeps important project data within reach. Team members can easily access updates to the project, site reports, drawings, RFIs, meeting notes, and discussion histories without getting lost in long email threads or various disconnected communication tools.
Another great benefit is knowledge sharing. Construction experts can have useful knowledge that can be applicable to numerous project teams. Collaboration software provides a way to share information via a central document repository, a searchable document database, and a collaborative workspace. This can help to ensure consistency across the project and minimise the potential for information silos.
More transparency about project activities also improves the effectiveness of communication. Project managers and construction project leaders are able to track progress, review updates and check for any potential problems faster. More transparency facilitates accountability and ensures teams stay on track with project goals, timelines, and client expectations.
Simplifying Business Processes through Intelligent Workflow Automation Solutions
Workflow automation enables construction companies to optimise their operations by minimising manual tasks and automating repetitive administrative tasks. These factors, such as approvals, document review, inspections, change orders, procurement requests and compliance procedures, can be time-consuming in a paper-based construction workflow.
Workflow automation streamlines these tasks by creating a set of rules that direct tasks through each step of the process. Routine processes can then be automatically transferred between project teams, departments, contractors and stakeholders with minimal manual involvement, once workflows are set up.
Task management provides additional support for building site performance. Assignments, deadlines, priorities, milestones, and project dependencies can be seen in a single place. Ensuring that tasks are visible helps teams to manage their workloads better and avoid missed responsibilities or project delays.
One key benefit of workflow automation is its capacity to improve the approval process. Requests can be automatically sent to different stakeholders based on purchase, budget approvals, document review, submitting permits, safety reporting and change orders. Automated notifications keep the project on track and minimise time delays from manual follow-ups.
Additional data integration options boost workflow efficiency. A number of platforms connect with field management, ERP, accounting, and procurement software, as well as project management software. Integrated workflows eliminate duplication of data entry and ensure data is accurate throughout construction operations. These platforms can facilitate the optimisation of construction processes, enhance productivity, mitigate inefficiencies, and enable better resource management in the delivery of projects.
Leveraging Data-Driven Insights for Organisational Performance Improvement
The availability of information related to projects and operations is crucial for continuous improvement in today’s construction industry. Collaboration and workflow efficiency software offers valuable insights that can help construction organisations assess performance, understand opportunities and make informed decisions.
Construction managers track critical data points for projects, workflows, resources, schedules, and team activities through performance dashboards. These dashboards offer instant insights into project progress, workload distribution, productivity, resource utilisation, and process efficiency. Receiving accurate information aids quick decision-making and project management proactiveness.
Productivity data can also be used to assist in workforce planning. Construction companies have increased visibility regarding task completion, team allocation, project involvement, and operational effectiveness. This information is valuable to organisations for workload balancing, workforce productivity, and workforce engagement.
Collaboration analytics can be useful in understanding the efficacy of communications between construction teams. Participation, sharing of documents, nature of projects and engagement of stakeholders can be assessed. These insights can be used to enhance project coordination and contribute to better cultures of collaboration.
Scalability is one of the key benefits of the modern construction collaboration platform. Software solutions can scale with the business without forcing major infrastructure changes, as they can add more users, projects, job sites and workflows across Europe. This also allows construction companies to grow without compromising on the consistency of their operations and project visibility.
...Read more
Plumbing businesses are leveraging emerging trends in the industry, like water management, conditioning, and treatment systems, and providing helpful customer experiences.
Plumbing companies look for plumbing trends and new technologies. These trends will revolve around water management, conditioning, and treatment systems and providing beneficial customer experiences. The changing needs of their customers determine plumbing companies' growth. Plumbing companies are increasingly looking for ways to reduce water consumption as more people become aware of the importance of conserving water.
New technologies such as water conditioning and modern treatment systems are gaining popularity because they can help reduce water waste and provide a better customer experience.
Smart plumbers embrace innovative technology: Future smart plumbers will use cutting-edge technology and technological developments to aid their profession. The intelligent plumber will be able to leverage cutting-edge technology to save time, energy, and money, such as virtual reality (VR), augmented reality (AR), machine learning (ML), and blockchain. New technology can be utilized to monitor and regulate plumbing systems and check the water quality delivered to clients. An intelligent plumber, for example, can utilize an IoT system to monitor water quality by placing sensors on faucets and pipelines. These sensors will enable them to detect water-related issues such as leaks, low pressure, and pipe corrosion. They can use this information to give timely service and assist their customers in resolving any difficulties with their plumbing systems.
The plumbing industry expands for new opportunities: In the coming years, the plumbing business will continue to grow and flourish. Because of the rise of the housing market, new development projects, and remodeling projects, more people will perceive the need for plumbing services. More people will become aware of these services and their importance, increasing their demand. New markets will open up for the plumbing business, particularly in the United States. The plumbing business will continue to grow internationally, particularly in Asia and Europe. More markets will require plumbers and plumbing services by 2022.
Educating customers about greywater plumbing trends: The plumbing industry will continue to educate the public about greywater plumbing. The purpose is to raise public awareness of greywater plumbing needs and the benefits of greywater plumbing. These advantages include saving water, saving money by using recycled water, and lowering pollution. Educating the public about greywater plumbing will help the sector grow. Today's ecologically concerned consumers seek to lower their water consumption while saving money on utility bills. They are still devoted to water conservation and are ready to pay for it, allowing plumbers specifically educated in greywater systems to reap the rewards.
...Read more
In the building sector, dry construction is becoming more and more popular because of its environmental sustainability, speed, and efficiency. Because it uses less water during installation and integrates prefabricated components, it is a more environmentally friendly option. Green building practices are becoming more and more necessary in places with rigorous environmental regulations, which is driving this trend.
Dry construction emerges as an eco-friendly alternative. Many dry construction materials are recyclable and can be reused in future projects, further contributing to sustainability. The global trend of rapid urbanization is another significant factor fueling the growth of dry construction. There is a growing need for efficient and quick construction methods to meet housing, commercial spaces, and infrastructure demand. The speed of dry construction, particularly advantageous in large-scale urban projects, is further enhanced by its modular nature, allowing for greater flexibility and adaptability.
Technological advancements in prefabrication and modular construction play a crucial role in the growth of dry construction, improving the precision and quality of components and making them more reliable and easier to install. The ability to prefabricate components off-site and assemble them quickly on-site is particularly appealing in regions with labor shortages or challenging weather conditions, further driving the adoption of dry construction. Traditional wet construction methods often involve using materials and processes that can release harmful dust, chemicals, and emissions, posing risks to workers and occupants.
Dry construction uses cleaner, safer materials and processes, reducing the exposure to hazardous substances. The health and safety advantages make dry construction attractive for builders and end-users, contributing to its growing popularity. The cost-effectiveness of dry construction is another key factor driving its growth. While the initial investment in prefabricated components and modular systems may be higher, the overall cost savings are significant, considering reduced construction time, lower labor costs, and minimized waste. Its ability to deliver efficient, sustainable, and high-quality results positions dry construction as a critical player in the evolving landscape of modern construction.
Dry construction saves additional costs with its reduced need for heavy machinery and on-site labor. The ability to complete projects faster translates into quicker returns on investment and improved cash flow for developers and contractors. The economic viability of dry construction, coupled with government policies and incentives, makes it an increasingly attractive option, encouraging widespread adoption. The supportive measures are helping to create a favorable environment for the growth of dry construction, making it easier for developers and contractors to adopt these methods in their projects. Dry construction will likely become an increasingly dominant method, shaping the future of building projects worldwide.
...Read more
Top
