The construction profession is a demanding one. Long days full with physical activity comes with the territory. Hot, humid temperatures, rough weather, and heavy parts beat down on workers who are often on a tight deadline.
Although the job will never be a walk in the park, new technology is making shifts on construction sites a little easier.
One small change that is making a big difference for some companies is the adaptation of joy stick controlled machines that usually use steering wheels like the Cat 950M wheel loader. Operators say handling is easier and more comfortable.
The deployment of equipment designed to reduce physical demand has become an important part of business strategy.
Pallet jacks that use hydraulics to load and transport heavy items is a welcome sight for workers who were once had to break their backs to get loads moving.
Digital technology is having a huge impact on decreasing work loads while increasing productivity. Some tech even seems like it comes straight out of a science fiction novel.
Some mining companies have fully-autonomous equipment while workers wear caps that are able to monitor fatigue!
Drones are being used to inspect worksites for hazards, personnel activity, assets, and work strategies. Without a drone, a team needs to set out on foot to survey an area to make these decisions.
A drawback to technology can be a workforce that becomes complacent. This can lead to accidents and downtime.
For this reason continued training, both with new technology and basic practices needs to be stressed.
