If you caught our last three “Technology in Construction” blog posts, then you already know how digitally native design can simplify the construction process, result in high-quality custom products and improve speed-to-market. With so many industry benefits to explore, the final installment in our series will cover how these tech-assisted construction methods work together to create a safer work environment. From reducing injuries on the job to maximizing communication, automated systems play an important role in maintaining safe working conditions.
Traditionally in construction, the safest hour is the one not worked. This is because construction workers are injured far more often and more severely compared to their counterparts in other industries. Specifically, research has shown a majority of the unexpected injuries that occur onsite are a product of multiple systematic barriers to effective safety communication.
Bridging the communication gap, prefabricated methods are able to protect workers with automated technology that operates guardedly even if workers fail to sufficiently communicate relevant safety hazards. To put it another way, our proprietary software is able to identify errors and is therefore less likely to make mistakes that can in any way endanger the safety of trade workers. For example, CNC rollers in operation are able to continually gather data and assess the constant information stream for hazardous warning signs. These warnings can be fed into comprehensive dashboards for Digital Building site managers, who can then act to prevent accidents.
At Digital Building, automated systems provide the ability to analyze a project (panel sizes, spans and how they will be braced during installation) to ensure that all of our factory equipment is able to properly support the size and weight of each panel. All this work is done upfront and easily integrated into the Revit model to create a predictable outcome during prefabrication. This encompasses shipping all the way through installation. Not to mention, a high percentage of our welding is done through an automated robotic arm, removing another significant piece of the manual portion involved in assembling panels. This reduces craftsman hours and congestion, which helps to decrease safety incidents while improving productivity.
With prefabricated building, almost all of the work is done at ground level. This helps cut out any injuries that occur at greater heights, including falls and crushing related incidents. Further bolstering safety, Digital Building’s workstations are specifically designed to ensure that very little work is done from underneath the panels. In fact, dangerous overhead operations are largely eliminated by the ability to lift heavy loads mechanically using assisted lifting machinery. With workers remaining in healthy ergonomic positions, the single-level pre-fab factory is a safer place to build.
Want to hear more about how Digital Building can increase your next project’s safety? Reach out to us at: [email protected]
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As greater technological advancements are introduced to the world of construction, prefabricated building is quickly becoming a favorable solution within the industry. This comes as no surprise to us here at Digital Building Components, as our technology allows us to efficiently produce components in direct accordance with a building’s architecture—improving any project’s quality and productivity.
Traditionally, the construction industry is associated with being a dangerous working environment. This is in part due to heavy machinery, high traffic, lofty heights and sometimes irregular work conditions that make accidents incredibly hard to avoid on site. In fact, injury rates within this industry are on average 71% higher than in other industries. With alarming statistics like this in mind, Digital Building’s prefabricated manufacturing process is consistently working to change the narrative of hazardous building, just as they have since the company’s inception. In fact, with an emphasis on workplace safety, Digital Building has managed to go approximately 905 days without a recordable safety incident.
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