3 ways to improve jobsite productivity, safety

By |  July 20, 2018

Drones allow companies to more accurately plan projects. Photo courtesy of AEM.

Technology provides data on the job to help users make more informed decisions, improving productivity, safety and the bottom line.

The Association of Equipment Manufacturers (AEM) details three technologies that are the hottest on jobsites right now, pointing to drones, lasers and wearables as cutting-edge examples.

1. Lasers and digital tech improve quality, reduce waste. While both laser and digital tools have been available for some time, widespread availability and lower entrance price points are making their precision available to a growing number in the workforce.

“From laser levels and layout guides to laser measurers, new tools are coming on the market that are more precise and affordable,” says Russ Gardner, a technical writer at Calculated Industries.

“Now, measurements can be accurate to one thousandth of an inch or a degree, helping improve quality and reduce material waste,” he adds.

Equipping employees with such tools will help them build better and faster, and taking a systematic approach to planned replacement of existing old technology with new technology can be a cost-effective approach.

2. Drones improve speed, precision. Drones are becoming more common on the job. Construction is one of the industries anticipated to see the largest drone spending this year, according to the International Data Corp.

“Drones allow companies to survey the work site, improving the speed and precision of their projects,” says Ryan Liss, a marketing specialist at Explorer Software. “Drone usage allows quick and accurate inspections in areas that are difficult to see.”

Today, drones can be outfitted to mark global positioning system (GPS) locations or take an infrared picture of a concrete wall to examine possible defects. This allows companies to more accurately see projects, plan accordingly and quickly adjust as the project moves forward.

3. Wearables improve employee safety. Wearable technology can increase both the safety and security of construction workers along with their efficiency.

This technology, too, is becoming more common on the jobsite, as price points begin to drop, and implementation and training become more affordable and faster.

Liss points to vests that can detect a worker’s temperature and cool them down when needed, or a boot that detects when a worker slips and falls.

Another example: wearable technology with biometric systems that track heart rates to help companies prevent worker exhaustion.

“Companies will have to first identify what it is they want a technology to improve on the jobsite and then determine which technology is right for them,” Liss says.

Information for this article courtesy of AEM.

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