Imaging tech in construction

Alexis Potter, Managing Director at BauWatch UK, says imaging technology can create safer and more secure construction sites.

The construction industry is undergoing a remarkable digital transformation driven, in part, by advanced imaging technology’s integration. This is reshaping how construction teams interact with data and manage their sites, leading to significant improvements in quality, safety and security.

Construction sites, traditionally fraught with risks from theft, heavy machinery, working at heights and physical labour, are now benefiting from advancements in extended reality, computer vision (CV) and drone technology. While the industry employs fewer than 8% of the world’s workforce, it accounts for 30-40% of workplace fatalities. These technologies offer a welcome solution to common safety failings.

The role of CV and AI in enhancing site safety cannot be overstated. CCTV systems outfitted with visual learning capabilities enable a more comprehensive approach to surveillance, allowing for real-time monitoring and proactive detection of potential hazards. The automation of safety monitoring reduces the likelihood of human error, as CV software can alert monitoring teams to potential hazards. Machine learning further improves safety protocols by analysing patterns and trends from past incidents on-site to predict and prevent future accidents.

Meanwhile, drones are also improving safety when inspecting hard-to-reach areas and offering rapid emergency response. Equipped with advanced cameras and sensors, as well as AI in some cases, drones can be deployed to survey large, affected areas in the event of an incident, providing real-time data and imagery that is vital for co-ordinating effective and timely responses. This capability not only enhances the thoroughness of inspections, but also significantly reduces the risk to personnel. They’re a game changer for large-scale infrastructure projects where engineers are spread across big sites.

Protect and serve

Virtual reality (VR) is transforming safety training in construction. By simulating real-world scenarios, VR provides a hands-on learning experience without the risks of physical training environments. Contractors such as Willmott Dixon have reported reductions in safety incidents as large as 45% following VR training about working at heights, showing how effective this technology can be.

Imaging technology is also an effective protector of site equipment and structures from criminal activity – a growing danger in the darker winter months. NFU Mutual estimates that nine in ten construction contractors and tradespeople have been victims of theft, the cost of which is estimated to be around £800m annually to the industry.

Data from BauWatch’s own UK Construction Crime Index echoes this sentiment, showing two-thirds of construction workers saw crime increase in 2023.

Drones offer an aerial perspective for effective monitoring of high-risk areas containing expensive equipment and materials. Combined with visual AI tools to detect and analyse suspicious activities, this allows for targeted surveillance and intervention.

Technology offers more efficient, accurate and safer on-site processes where data-driven insights guide every aspect of construction, from safety training to design. It is setting a new standard for how we build. 

See more at bauwatch.com/en-gb

Image credit | Noun Project | iStock