b'CONSTRUCTION PRIORITIES: TECHNOLOGYAUGMENTED REALITY (AR)This technology uses glasses or helmet visors to provide visual communication between all players in the constructionWEARABLES CAN INCREASE HUMAN POWER AND process and reduce mistakes and misunderstandings that may be causedGUARD AGAINST HEAVY LIFTING INJURIES ANDby printed documents. AR allows sharing of all necessary information about theTHE LONG-TERM IMPACT OF CONSTRUCTION construction project in real time. It also allows workers to view 3D BuildingPROCESSES ON WORKERS.Information Modelling (BIM) onsite.EXOSKELETONSAccording to Wikipedia, Exoskeletons, also known as exosuits, are wearableWHY ARE company to make the jobsite saferdevices that can help constructionWEARABLES NEEDED? for workers. workers lift heavy objects, improveCompanies may run into the challenge posture and reduce fatigue. They areof worker acceptance of this newKeep in mind, wearables are not the designed to mimic the human skeletaltechnology. To get them on theanswer to worker safety on the jobsite. system and can be powered or passive.companys side in this debate, firstWearables need to be looked at and They can increase human power andreview the data on construction workertested to ensure that they are integrated guard against heavy lifting injuries andsafety with them: into the companys safety programs andthe long-term impact of constructionwill better protect the workers.processes on workers. Construction workers are at a higher IN CONCLUSIONrisk of death. In 2022, constructionNew technologies are being introduced Reducing the physical wear on workershad the most workplace fatalities into the construction sector almost positively benefits the worker and theCanada, accounting for 20.2 deathsmonthly, and it becomes a full-time job to industry. It is particularly important forper 100,000 workers. understand how construction processes use by aging construction workers oncan be accomplished more efficiently, jobsites and can lead to these workersConstruction workers are at a higher effectively and at a reasonable cost. remaining in the workforce for a longerrisk of injury. Almost 80,000 injuriesHowever, when the area of health and period of time. were recorded on U.S. jobsitessafety comes into the mix, it should be in 2019, which on a populationthe first priority.OTHER EXAMPLES comparative with Canada equates to Smart hard hats assist in reducing theapproximately 8,000.Companies need to look at the area risk of brain injuries, detect when aof wearable construction technology and determine its benefits to worker worker is fatigued and needs to takeConstruction workers have a higher a break, provide sensors that preventrate of muscle and back injuries duesafety, providing quality work and accidents and, in some cases, provideto overexertion, heavy lifting andworker productivity. As one construction access to the internet to obtain datarepeated motion. expert noted, So far theres been a and make decisions. focus on how technology can improve These statistics should be coupled withconstruction methods, but not on how Smart watches measure health datainformation about how monitoring andit can help people on the ground. Thisand prevent overworking, provide longdata on worker movements will have amove towards augmented construction battery life through solar technologypositive effect on safety, productivity andworkers represents an important step in and are made stronger to deal withon morale. As a result, workers shouldthe modernization of the industrythe jobsite environment. react well to the steps being taken by themorebroadly.BUILDERSDIGEST Quarter 1202529'