The evolution of ‘smart’ worksites will result in greatly reduced risk for the 'Fatal 4' causes of accidents: falls, being struck by objects, electrocution, and being caught between moving vehicles or machinery. That could mean the prevention of more than 400 deaths each year and an industry cost-savings on workers compensation and related fees.
The emerging technology includes Google glass displays and DAQRI Smart Helmet, which can alert workers to certain danger, such as the presence of live wires. Smart clothing can also detect changes in body temperature and other measures of human performance. Meanwhile, augmented reality or wearable tech registers biomechanical data and alerts workers to other body positions that are not safe, such as posture.
Other technologies will apply to Building Information Modeling as well as more efficient and strategic communication between workers on a site, and across different work sites.