In the lists of the most dangerous spheres of activity, construction, as a rule, occupies the first lines. For example, in Russia in 2018, more than 20% of fatal accidents at work occurred at construction sites. A similar figure is called in the United States: the construction site claimed the lives of 1,008 people, or 21% of the total number of industrial deaths. In short, although at the entrance to the construction site everyone is obliged to wear helmets, the industry remains one of the most dangerous. However, as you know, buildings built long ago, but not maintained in good condition, can also pose a danger. Of course, the notorious helmet, insurance, safety at the construction site and timely repairs on the street decide a lot. Meanwhile, modern technologies give rise to new ideas and approaches to combating injuries. A few of these ideas are below.
Safety training games
Pittsburgh-based Simcoach has been creating educational games and mobile simulators for 15 years. In collaboration with the Constructors Association of Western Pennsylvania (CAWP), the company has released a series of games designed to improve safety in construction. All of them, by the way, are distributed free of charge. So, one of the developments called Harness Hero ("Hero of PPE"; Android, iOS) teaches how to properly use protective equipment for work at height. The player must choose the safety equipment, make sure that it is not damaged, rust and other "malfunctions" - everything is like in life, except for one thing: to complete the mission, the character must jump off the roof. If the check is successful and the hero avoids collision with the ground, the task is considered completed.
In the games of the Lift Coach series ("Instructor for lifting weights") the players are faced with another task - to move the box with building material from one point to another, and do it correctly. Otherwise, the character runs the risk of injury - a broken wrist, a bruised leg, or worse. In the first version (Android, iOS), users control the character who handles the boxes and, if necessary, correct his movements. In the second game (Android, iOS), you need to plan in advance the entire route of the "operation", while it is not forbidden to seek help from colleagues and use lifting equipment.
The Simcoach collection includes a simulator (Android, iOS) that detects the risks associated with the use of stairs on a construction site. The player must select a suitable ladder, make sure it is intact, check that it is properly secured and that there are no power lines nearby.
Simcoach founder Jessica Trybus believes that gamification has one key advantage beyond traditional learning methods: it doesn't get boring. An employee, honing a skill, can go through the same level over and over again without losing interest in the process.
Belt vibrating when heavy equipment approaches
The University of Nevada in Las Vegas, with the support of the Center for Construction Research and Training (CPWR), in turn, invented a special belt that vibrates when a dangerous object approaches - heavy construction equipment. Depending on the situation, the motors attached to the belt send signals of varying intensity and duration. The task of the owner of the belt is to decipher this "message", then he will be able to determine the location of the object, the level of danger it poses, and the type of equipment. Mini motors receive signals from a warning system installed on a laptop or mobile device - it is this system that controls all vehicles on the site.
-
zooming 1/3 Belt Motors Location © 2019, CPWR-The Center for Construction Research and Training
-
zooming 2/3 4-2-4 arrangement of vibration motors (variation) © 2019, CPWR-The Center for Construction Research and Training
-
zooming 3/3 Experiment Member © 2019, CPWR-The Center for Construction Research and Training
The wearable device is still at the prototype stage, but it has already passed the first field tests. During the experiment, all participants had their eyes and ears closed. Despite these limitations, using the vibrating belt, subjects were able to pinpoint the location of the threat with 95 percent accuracy.
According to preliminary estimates, one set will cost about $ 50.
Drones for monitoring the condition of buildings
At this time in New York drones want to entrust the supervision of the condition of buildings. The idea is promoted by Brooklyn City Councilor Justin Brennan and supported by Borough President Eric Adams. The officials were prompted to this decision by an accident that claimed the life of 60-year-old Erica Tishman, a fairly well-known New York architect. In December last year, a piece of sculpture fell on a woman from a house near Times Square. Apparently, a fragment came off the facade at the 15th floor. Erica Tishman died on the spot.
Journalists and the public are confident that the tragedy could have been avoided. For example, The New York Post reports that the owner of a house on Seventh Avenue was supposed to restore it back in October 2018, but did not start work, for which he was fined $ 1250 in April 2019. The owner paid the fine, but did not repair the object. Journalists also note that, despite the dilapidated state of the building, there was no protective shed next to it, which would ensure the safety of pedestrians. In New York, such structures are mandatory installed during repair, construction work, or if the structure poses a threat to the life and health of citizens.
Justin Brennan is currently working on the text of a bill that will allow quadrocopters to fly freely over New York and carry out technical supervision. The essence of the document is as follows: the drone will have to go to inspect the facility no later than 48 hours after the complaint arrives at the local 311 help desk or the City Buildings Department. “The new legislative initiative will make architectural auditing more profitable, save homeowners and the city millions of dollars,” said Brooklyn County President Eric Adams, “it will allow us to remove protective canopies that are often in place for years. And most importantly, it will save New Yorkers [from new tragedies].”
We have the solutions we need to move our city forward. Drone inspections are cheaper, faster, and safer.
We can't let antiquated thinking or laws get in the way of progress.
Thanks @JustinBrannan, @RCornegyJr, and @BenKallos for their partnership. https://t.co/Phw0019RkJ– Eric Adams (@BPEricAdams) December 23, 2019
Note that at the moment drone flights in New York are formally allowed, but there are so many restrictions that it is almost impossible to use a drone without violating at least one law.
