Worksite and worker safety impact every part of every construction operation. An organization’s approach to safety directly affects its reputation and culture, ability to recruit and retain workers, and relationships with customers and community. Safety has value. 

Implementing technology to streamline processes, automate routine tasks and track operational metrics improves safety as well as efficiency. Safety is the paramount priority, but often, the technology solutions that help improve safety also have a positive impact on overall efficiency. In this new era, data drives improvements in both categories.

Fortunately, some of the most innovative technology in the industry today plays an important role in improving jobsite safety. Careful analysis of the data provided by those technology solutions, combined with employee training and safety-first processes and procedures can go a long way toward improving safety outcomes.

The biggest ongoing safety risk is human error, and it can be the hardest to manage. The best investment an operation can make is in training, and in making procedural changes in line with what is known about human nature. The reflex is to blame operator error when it can be more productive to examine system design shortcomings. Systemic changes can remove the opportunity to be unsafe, while retraining can often prove challenging given habits, reflexes, forgetfulness and other human foibles.

Accurate data can improve every aspect of an operation today, and safety is no exception. Detailed recording and careful analysis of incident data provides the basis to implement new safety solutions and maintain a culture of safety. By sharing data with the team, it creates transparency between managers and operators to open opportunities for continued employee training. 

Fleet and quarry management technology makes it easier than ever to log usage data with auto status tracking with no need for manual interaction from the operator. That data can reveal trends, inefficiencies and opportunities for improvements that impact safety and profitability. It can also reveal shortcomings, risks and liabilities for operations that don’t adhere to regulations and industry best practices for a course correction before the problem escalates.

New monitoring technology and communications allow fleet and quarry managers to improve safety throughout the process. Technology removes the burden of manually counting and recording activities such as haul truck cycles, material loading, vehicle speed, cycle time and material movement. Improving safety at the construction site can also help solve bigger problems, such as an overloaded truck, going too fast or operating in hazardous conditions that create a higher risk of a collision or incident.

Real-time alerts are invaluable for operators to receive timely reminders to slow down, or perhaps communicate a change in delivery instructions. Providing real-time information to equipment operators prevents navigation bottlenecks during road closures or construction that may cause delays.