National Safety Month: Wearable Technology for Improved Safety and Health on Construction Sites

People who work construction are at a greater risk of suffering an injury than most other workers. Given the fact that they work from great heights, they are always at risk of suffering a fall. They also work with heavy and dangerous equipment so there’s always the chance that they can get hurt while on the job. Given that National Safety Month is upon us, what better time to discuss worker safety, especially on construction sites in Birmingham, Alabama?

People who work in an office may never appreciate the risks that construction workers have to deal with on a daily basis. Even if the construction site manager takes the proper steps to make sure a site is safe, accidents still happen. And, when a construction worker gets into a workplace accident, they tend to suffer very serious injuries. Some of these may include the following:

• Broken bones – If a construction worker falls off a piece of scaffolding, they can suffer a broken bone. They could even suffer a broken neck or head injury. These injuries often require surgery and may even require physical therapy. The worker could be out of the month for weeks or even months.
• Traumatic Brain Injury – If a worker suffers a severe blow to the head – in a fall or equipment accident – they can suffer a traumatic brain injury. These injuries happen when anyone suffers a significant blow to the head. The symptoms of a traumatic brain injury can take time to appear. This puts the victim at a high risk of suffering from long-term injuries. This is why it’s so important that any worker who is hurt on the job goes to the hospital right away.
• Knee injuries – Construction workers do a lot of physical labor. There is a good chance that they could suffer a knee injury while on a construction site. These injuries, along with back injuries, often require surgery. It can take months to heal from these injuries. You may find that you can no longer do the same kind of work after you recover.

Thankfully, there is a technology that can help construction workers avoid these sorts of accidents and injuries. Here, we’ll talk a bit about this technology, especially wearable technology that can improve safety and health on a construction site.

If you have been injured on the job site contact an experienced construction accident lawyer in Birmingham, AL.

What is Smart Personal Protection Equipment (PPE)?

More construction companies are starting to use smart personal protective equipment at their job sites. This is the technology that the construction workers can wear that will decrease the chances of their getting hurt. When used in conjunction with traditional PPE, smart PPE can help lower the number of construction site accidents in Alabama. Some of the more traditional forms of PPE on construction sites include:

• Hard hats
• Glasses or goggles
• Boots
• Safety vests

With the advent of technology, workers can now wear PPE that alerts them to real-time dangers. It can also let the other workers know if one of their coworkers is in trouble. The goals of smart PPE are four-fold and include the following:

Track Worker Location

If someone enters the danger zone, an external alarm will go off to let their team know. For example, if someone walks behind a piece of equipment, the equipment operator will be told that they are near a human instead of an inanimate object.

Provide Information Regarding Risk

If workers do encounter risk on the construction site, it can be transmitted back to the site manager. This can help, especially when it comes to eliminating risk and preventing future injuries.

Monitor Vital Signs

If a construction worker is doing something that puts them in extreme temperatures, this PPE can let them know when their temperature goes too high. It can also measure things like blood pressure and heartbeat to let a worker know when they need to take a break.

Contact an Experienced Personal Injury Lawyer in Birmingham, Alabama

If you or your spouse are hurt in a construction accident in Alabama, you should call and talk to a personal injury lawyer right away. There are ways that these accidents can be prevented. If your employer doesn’t take the steps to ensure a safe workplace, you may have a claim for damages. And, if the equipment you are working with is defective, you may be able to sue a third party for damages. Call today and schedule your initial consultation. It is free and you don’t pay a thing until you settle your case.