Advantages of Applying Artificial Intelligence in Construction Site Safety

Discover how Artificial Intelligence (AI) is revolutionizing construction site safety by improving worker conditions and reducing accidents. Find out more of this essential innovation!

Complexity, risks and constant challenges characterizes construction industry now days. But can Artificial Intelligence (AI) revolutionize construction site safety, improve working conditions and reduce accidents? In this article, we will explore the potential of AI in the construction industry, highlighting its advantages, possible implications and paths to effective implementation.

Artificial Intelligence in Civil Engineering

AI has been developed to simulate human mental processes, including reasoning and learning as well as solving complex problems. Its applications in civil engineering are diverse. The three main AI families are Machine Learning, Deep Learning and Computer Vision. In the construction field, AI can analyze data from past projects, regulations and historical records to improve design and safety. Additionally, tools like smart helmets or vests, cameras and drones, enable continuous site monitoring therefore identifying hazardous situations in real-time.

Read also: “AI in Civil Engineering: 6 Application Examples.”

Practical Applications of AI in Safety

AI is already revolutionizing safety on construction sites. Cameras, IoT devices and sensors constantly monitor work processes. AI accumulates data over time thus it can detect unsafe trends and behaviors, preventing accidents. For instance, facial recognition can identify signs of a worker fatigue, while wearable sensors can monitor health status, providing alerts for abnormal changes.

Advantages of Artificial Intelligence in Construction Site Safety

The application of AI in the construction and site safety sector offers several advantages:

Training and Development

Artificial Intelligence (AI) plays a significant role in workers training and development in construction sites, enhancing their preparedness, awareness and ability to handle complex situations. Here’s how AI is used in this crucial aspect of site safety:

1. Realistic simulations
   AI powers realistic simulations through virtual reality (VR) and augmented reality (AR). Thanks to artificial intelligence, workers can participate in interactive training experiences simulating real construction site conditions. For instance, they can practice emergency evacuation procedures, correct use of personal protective equipment (PPE) or handling hazardous situations. These simulations provide a safe training environment, allowing workers to acquire practical skills without exposure to real risks.
2. Performance monitoring
   Through analysis of data collected during simulations, AI can assess a worker’s ability to handle specific situations providing immediate feedback. This helps identify areas where a worker may need additional training or improvement.
3. Personalized training
   Artificial intelligence can personalize training based on each worker’s specific needs. Each individual may face different challenges based on their competence level and experience. AI can adapt simulations and training activities to be effective for each worker, leading to more efficient and targeted training.
4. Skills assessment
   AI can objectively assess the skills acquired by workers during training. This is particularly useful for determining if a worker is ready to perform certain tasks on the construction site. AI-based assessments help ensure that only adequately trained and competent workers are assigned to high-risk tasks.
5. Continuous feedback
   The feedback provided by AI during training may include suggestions for improving skills, guidance on handling specific situations and identification of common mistakes. Continuous feedback helps workers actively learn and develop awareness of potential hazards.
6. Progress monitoring
   AI tracks the individual progress of workers throughout their training. This allows recognition of workers who have achieved advanced skills and those who may require additional training resources. Monitoring training progress contributes to ensure that all workers reach an appropriate level of safety competence.

Automation of Hazardous Activities

Automating hazardous activities is one of the fundamental pillars of applying Artificial Intelligence (AI) to enhance safety on construction sites. This approach is based on replacing or assisting human workers in high-risk tasks with AI-managed automated systems. Here’s how it works and its benefits:

1. Identification of hazardous activities
   AI can analyze historical data, safety regulations and environmental conditions to identify high-risk activities. These activities may include handling hazardous substances such as paints or adhesives, cleaning up contaminated sites or other operations that could endanger workers’ health.
2. Activity automation
   Once hazardous activities are identified, artificial intelligence can be used to automate or assist these tasks. For example, AI can manage robots or specialized machinery capable of handling hazardous substances safely and efficiently. These robots can be programmed to execute operations in a precisely and accurately way, eliminating the risk of human errors.
3. Reduced worker exposure
   Automation of hazardous activities significantly reduces workers’ exposure to risks. Since AI-controlled machines are designed to operate in hazardous environments, human workers can focus on less risky tasks that align with their skills. This results in a significant reduction in potential injuries and work-related accidents.
4. Continuous learning
   Another advantage of AI-based automation is continuous learning. Machines can be trained to improve their performance over time by learning from each execution. This means they become more reliable and efficient over time, contributing to long-term safety on construction sites.
5. Safety and productivity benefits
   Automating hazardous activities not only enhances worker safety but can also increase overall construction site productivity. Since AI-controlled machines can operate continuously without fatigue, task execution times can be reduced, meeting project deadlines and improving overall project efficiency.

Intelligent robots performing welding operations

Prevention or Reduction of Accidents

A crucial aspect of the application of Artificial Intelligence (AI) on construction sites is the prevention and reduction of accidents. You may dispose from a wide range of AI’s tools and techniques to identify, predict or mitigate potential risks and hazards in the workplace. Let’s delve into how AI contributes to preventing and reducing accidents on construction sites:

1. Monitoring site safety conditions
   Monitoring may include detecting hazards like accumulations of hazardous materials, structural failures or adverse weather conditions. AI can analyze real-time data and provide immediate alerts to responsible personnel in case of potentially hazardous situations.
2. Facial recognition for worker monitoring
   Facial recognition allows monitoring the emotional and physical state of workers. For instance, it can detect signs of tiredness, drowsiness or stress by analyzing workers’ facial expressions. This enables the identification of situations where a worker may not be at their best thus requiring adequate rest or assistance.
3. Analysis of historical incident data
   AI can analyze a large amount of historical incident data, including incident details, environmental conditions, ongoing activities and more. This analysis can help identify patterns and correlations that may indicate a potential increase in risk at specific times of the day or in specific areas of the construction site. This allows for proactive measures to be taken in advance.
4. Risk-based activity planning
   Using artificial intelligence, activity planning can be done based on associated risks. For example, it can suggest the order of activities to minimize risks and prevent hazardous situations. It can also consider forecasted weather conditions and ground conditions to ensure safe activity planning.
5. Timely interventions
   Thanks to continuous monitoring and real-time data analysis, AI can automatically trigger alarms and alerts in case of emergencies or potential imminent danger. This allows personnel to intervene promptly to prevent accidents or minimize their impact.

Identification of Hazards and Safety Gaps

Using Artificial Intelligence to identify hazards and safety gaps on construction sites is a crucial element in preventing accidents and ensuring worker protection. Here’s how to use AI in this important area:

1. Detection of anomalies in activities
   AI can detect anomalies in daily activities on the construction site. For instance, through constant monitoring using cameras and sensors, it can identify unusual or non-compliant behaviors with safety procedures. This might include worker behaviors or the identification of potentially risky situations, such as the mishandling of hazardous substances.
2. Prediction of intrusion threats
   Through constant monitoring of sensitive areas, such as sites storing expensive or hazardous materials, AI can detect activity anomalies and automatically report suspicious situations. This helps prevent theft or damage to infrastructure and equipment.
3. Compliance checks
   This is done through constant monitoring of activities and site conditions compared to prescribed safety standards. In case of deviations or deficiencies, AI can generate alerts and reports to ensure that corrective measures are taken promptly.
4. Machine and infrastructure safety
   Artificial intelligence can be used to monitor the conditions of machines and infrastructure on the construction site. By analyzing data from sensors, AI can detect performance anomalies in machines or signs of structure deterioration. This allows for preventive maintenance to prevent breakdowns or serious accidents.

Ongoing Site Monitoring

Continuous site monitoring using Artificial Intelligence is essential to ensure worker safety and prevent accidents. Here’s how it works:

1. Smart cameras and sensors
   These devices, placed throughout the construction site to collect real-time data, can monitor a wide range of parameters, including worker activities, weather conditions, machine movements and the presence of hazardous materials. Artificial Intelligence constantly analyzes this information to identify potentially risky situations.
2. Data analysis for behavioral patterns
   AI analyzes the data collected over time to identify behavioral patterns. For example, it can detect if there are times of the day or specific circumstances when the construction site is at a higher risk of accidents. This data analysis helps take targeted preventive measures, such as assigning additional safety personnel during critical times.
3. Resource management
   AI can contribute to optimal resource management on the construction site. It can monitor machine usage, material consumption and equipment availability. Additionally, it can suggest efficient resource allocation to avoid overuse or wastage.
4. Night and off-hours safety
   Using AI there is no limit to daylight hour thanks to continuous construction sites’ monitoring. Also nighttime and off-hours safety is more safe thanks to smart cameras and sensors. AI can detect unauthorized intrusions or suspicious activities during these times and activate appropriate alarms.

Conclusions

Artificial Intelligence (AI), along with Building Information Modeling (BIM), is transforming the perception of construction site safety by opening doors to proactive risk management. This innovation, combined with the use of construction site management BIM software and digital twin construction software, enables real-time automatic site monitoring, collaborative work planning, supports training and analytically anticipates imminent hazards. Through data analysis, it contributes to overall safety enhancement, facilitates project management and promotes improved communication and collaboration. The AI becomes the catalyst that assists businesses and professionals in improving efficiency, reducing risks and optimising project performance.

From raising safety levels to simplifying the design process, AI has the potential to transform the way companies and professionals operate, preparing them for future challenges.