Construction companies investing in wearable technologies achieve the safety of the employees and the enhancement of their businesses.

FREMONT, CA: Wearable technologies have already gained prominence among many sectors in the market. It is high time for the construction companies to introduce wearable tools owing to its numerous advantages for the employees. The technology can benefit, especially the laborers, because they can improve safety while reducing injuries and improving efficiency. It can also enhance the quality of life for the construction workers.

However, this technology is at the beginning phase of adoption. Still, it shows tremendous promises for the organizations that want to improve their vital areas that drive it towards profitability, safety, and efficiency.

Wearable technology

A construction wearable is a device that consists of a PC or advanced electronic device that a construction worker can wear on his body, clothing, or personal protective equipment. The device is intended for collecting and delivering data about the worker's environment, activities, and biometric conditions. It can detect and warn employees about any chances for injury, and reduce the seriousness of an injury when one occurs.

The construction companies can also accomplish their objectives by having portable and timely access to the sensor tech, electronics, and computers. For every organization, the safety of every employee should be of significant concern. The industry's emerging access to multifunctional technology and its capability to gather and analyze relevant data is transforming worker protection.

Role of wearable technology in improving safety

Wearable technology can recognize its goals in several ways:

Devices can caution the workers when they are close to risks, such as moving equipment or a sharp edge via audible or vibration alarms.

Gadgets also can warn the employees about any risky physical movement like twisting, bending, or lifting.

Devices can reduce the stress of muscular and skeletal joints by helping them with lifting or working overhead. 

Devices will notify individuals when they are tired.

In emergencies, devices will also alert the emergency personnel and lead rescuers to the area of the injured worker.

Kinds of wearable

It is anticipated that in the next few decades, there will be an extensive usage of wearable technologies in the construction industry. Presently, many technologies and insurance companies are teaming up with contractors to coordinate projects that can test various types of wearable.

The types of wearable that are currently tried, or are limitedly applied on construction sites include the following:

Visual wearable

This is a kind of device that uses optical aids in or on glasses, visors, and hard caps to produce images for remote watchers and the wearer. The area where a visual portrayal of a concept is fundamental; the visual wearable can bring value to training, investigating, and quality control in such situations. The wearable connects employees in the field with remote technical/supervisory workers and permits both parties to see things at the same time.

Sensing wearable

The device can sense the laborer's biological, environmental, and physical conditions. Moreover, the device can also analyze data by using edge computing and notifies the employee of a dangerous circumstance that might harm them. There are various types of sensors, including badges, biosensors, actuators, gyroscopes, and many more. They record and estimate the physical condition of the person wearing it along with their location and environment. The wearable also can sense position, motion, impact, vital signs, temperature, and blood gases.

Tactile wearable

The tactile wearable is designed as the exoskeleton that offers extra strength or durability to the individual wearing it. The device also restricts the power of the person's muscular-skeletal frame. However, that power is continuously monitored, and the wearable responds to protect the wearer. The employees can reduce the chances of getting back harmed or strains and sprains while increasing their ability for endurance.

Wearable does not only have value for every individual, but it also can enhance an organization's safety experience.