Safety Tech Boosts Productivity
Robyn Griggs Lawrence, Construction Dive
Construction is a notoriously dangerous industry, accounting for 6% of the overall workforce in the U.S., but about 20% of worker deaths, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. In 2020, 1,008 construction workers suffered fatal work injuries — more than any other worker segment.
While that percentage is still too high, the industry’s increased use of advanced technologies, including wearables, sensors, AI tools and extended-reality platforms, is driving improvement, experts say.
Digital and mobile tools and software are starting to see widespread adoption, said Casey Banks, managing risk control consultant for construction at insurance company Travelers, because they not only help drive efficiency and safety on the jobsite but also easily integrate into a company’s existing risk-management programs.