2022.12.19
Smart site for safety
Safety of workers and sites always comes first in construction projects. Over time, there has been stark advancement in technological application in areas of telecommunications, data analytics, etc., improving project efficiency, their application in safety enhancement has equally scaled new heights. Common approaches include better monitoring workers' health, reducing physical stress, and keeping workers out of danger. These can be achieved through introducing wearable safety devices, incident reporting software and alarm monitoring systems, incidents and task management software, etc.
To incentivise and expedite the advancement, the Construction Industry Council (CIC) encourages the use of smart safety-related technologies by managing the Construction Innovation and Technology Fund (CITF), whose preapproved smart safety-related technologies enjoy a 70% reimbursement of the equipment costs used for the project. In this article we delve into SmarTone Solutions’ successful application of 5G AI monitoring, smart helmet and danger radar technologies in their recent Cheung Chau Sewage Treatment Works project.
Centralised management for incident control and data analysis
5G AI monitoring is basically a virtual assistant of site supervisors where the concept of centralised management platform can be applied. It facilitates supervisors’ management through 5G connectivity and AI cameras in the construction site. With more sensors and faster data communications, supervisors can easily grasp all situations at site without having to go through chains of communications. Should emergency or incident happens, the sooner we have the full picture, the better the situation will be controlled. With the valuable data available, they can be analysed to improve workflow. Smart Construction Solution – SmartWorks provides a digital platform is used for storing, extracting and analysing data obtained from smart safety-related technologies. The results will be clearly shown in a dashboard for easy viewing. It helps strengthen precautionary measures onsite, and can trigger instant response to emergency as well as formulate post-incident solutions.
Wearable smart devices for instant monitoring and lifesaving
A smart helmet is a helmet equipped with internet of things (IoT) sensors and GPS trackers which trigger alerts if a worker wears the helmet improperly, sudden falls or presses the SOS button. It is a vital piece of equipment for worker safety and health, where workers’ vital signs such as body temperature, heart rate, , etc. will be monitored. The biometric screening is mainly to alert workers of potentially unsafe air quality or temperature conditions that could cause heat stress and injuries. With the instant location tracking function, it can track the workers’ live locations and facilitate rescue in case of emergencies.
Danger radars to call off unintended entry to risky zones
Finally, a “Hazardous Areas Access Control by Electronic Lock and Key System”, or in short, a danger radar, is to prevent workers from unknowingly entering dangerous zones at site. Having predefined a controlled area, any unauthorised trespassing will set of a loud alarm. SmarTone’s Safety Alert System via Narrow Band-Internet of Things (NB-IoT) has then been developed, which provides real time alert signals to a central monitoring platform, leading to a workflow for follow-up action. It enhances the implementation of the permit-to-work procedures of lift shaft, improve the efficiency and effectiveness of lift shaft control, as well as avoiding malpractice and entry of trespassers. It was also applied in a public rental housing development project in Chai Wan, the Hong Kong Palace Museum and Kwong Wah Hospital.
CIC believes that embracing smart, wearable technology to improve safety of workers and site is key to the industry’s way forward. In fact, the government has been working together with CIC in implementing a multi-pronged strategy to promote construction safety to minimise the risk of site accidents, via measures such as encouraging the integration of Building Information Modelling (BIM) and the inclusion of Smart Site Safety System (SSSS) in public works contracts. Going forward, CIC will gather more examples of the SSSS for the construction industry’s reference. We look forward to the concerted efforts in striving towards the goal of “zero accidents”.