3. Invest In a Few Simple “Safety Nets”

Building and maintaining a strong safety culture is critical when it comes to avoiding accidents and injuries, but it doesn’t eliminate the possibility of human error. That’s where construction technology can help.

“Technology can be your support system, your guardian angel,” Cowart says. “Human beings make mistakes. They get tired. They get distracted. Technology can serve as a safety net when someone makes an error.”

You don’t have to spend a fortune or be a technology expert to see a difference, either. Simple solutions — including options you can retrofit onto existing machines — can often have the biggest and most immediate effect on safety. That includes:

Seat belt reminders: It may seem like a small detail, but wearing a seat belt is a leading indicator that an operator is attentive, careful and practicing safe operating procedures. If an operator doesn't buckle up, it raises an important question: What other details are being overlooked? Retrofittable seat belt reminder systems are affordable, easy to install and effective. They provide operators with notifications and reminders to buckle up before starting their work. And the external beacon sends a clear signal to others on site that operators are paying attention to the little things.
Equipment cameras: Poor visibility is a leading cause of accidents on construction sites. Camera systems give your operators another set of eyes, helping reduce blind spots and increase awareness of hazards. You can choose one or multiple cameras and point them to the rear of a machine, to the sides or toward attachments — that view is reflected on an in-cab monitor. You can even opt for “smart” camera systems that identify when a person enters the area behind equipment and alert the operator.