Why AI Video Analytics Must Go Beyond Detection in Construction Safety

Last year, nearly half the workplace fatalities in Singapore occurred on construction sites — many of which could be prevented with faster hazard response. While traditional video surveillance systems (VSS) and even first-generation AI video analytics have improved site visibility, they fall short where it matters most: turning alerts into action — resulting in safety breaches and hazards going unaddressed.

In a high-risk industry where delays cost lives, AI video analytics used as safety technology must evolve from passive detection to proactive safety management.

The Limitations of Detection-Only AI

Most AI-powered video analytics safety systems in construction today stop at real-time alerts: flagging missing PPE, unauthorised access, or unsafe behaviours captured on CCTVs. But alerting alone isn’t enough.

• Alerts don’t equal Action: Without built-in workflows, alerts often arrive as emails or app notifications. Safety officers must log incidents manually in separate systems, assign follow-ups, and track resolution — a time-consuming, error-prone process that delays response and risks oversight.
• Fragmented Data: Critical information gets trapped between video footage, reports, emails, and compliance documentation. This often results in safety teams spending more time connecting the dots than closing the loop, delaying response times to prevent an otherwise avoidable accident, slowing investigations, and reducing overall accountability.

From Detection to Resolution: The Power of End-to-End AI Safety Management

To move beyond passive monitoring and post-incident documentation, AI video analytics for construction safety must power real-time response and long-term prevention. At Hubble, we call this the DART framework — Detection, Action, Resolution, and Tracking. Here’s how it works:

1. Instant Response, Not Delayed Reaction

Leading AI safety systems don’t just detect — they act. When safety breaches are automatically linked to Safety Observations or Incident Reports and trigger corrective workflows, safety officers can:

• Review footage of the detected safety breach immediately
• Create a pre-filled safety incident report in-platform, with the footage auto-attached
• Assign it to the responsible supervisor
• Track the resolution status, escalating if unresolved

This reduces response times, eliminates paperwork, and ensures no incident is overlooked.

2. Proactive Risk Management and Prevention

AI shouldn’t just react — it should prevent. By analysing trends across thousands of data points, smart systems identify recurring issues, such as repeated PPE violations by a specific subcontractor.

These insights power root cause analysis, guide targeted intervention action — from re-training workers to revising safety protocols as a company, and potentially even predict high-risk scenarios before they occur.

3. Streamlined Compliance and Reporting

With Singapore now mandating electronic permits-to-work (ePTW) and video surveillance on major projects, integrated AI solutions help contractors stay audit-ready with:

• Automated incident documentation
• Click-to-generate compliance reports aligned to standards like ISO 45001 and ConSASS
• Centralised audit trails that reduce administrative work and compliance costs
• Failure to comply can result in stop-work orders, project delays, or financial penalties — making automated safety reporting not just helpful, but essential.

4. Enhanced Accountability and Team Collaboration

Centralised dashboards give project teams a live view of safety performance. Incident logs and analytics are shared across roles — from site managers to safety teams — improving communication and reinforcing accountability.

Workers themselves are also looped into safety feedback through toolbox meetings and shared learnings, creating a culture of continuous improvement.

Real-World Impact: Hubble’s AI Video Analytics in Action

While regulatory-mandated video surveillance is currently applicable for specific project types, leading contractors and developers in Singapore are already moving beyond compliance by deploying Hubble’s AI video analytics to:

• Monitor 24/7 — even in remote corners where walk-arounds are impractical
• Detect and log safety breaches automatically, with zero manual input
• Trigger corrective action workflows linked directly to incident footage
• Track resolution in real-time, escalate if unresolved
• Connect learnings to toolbox talks, safety drills, and future prevention efforts

These capabilities are not just time-saving — they’re life-saving.

The Future of Construction Safety is Action-Oriented

In an industry where safety is top priority and compliance is non-negotiable, true protection comes from systems that see the hazard, solve the problem, and prevent recurrence. AI that only stops at alerts is like a smoke alarm without firefighters — it warns but doesn’t solve.

With Singapore’s construction sector facing tighter regulations and labour shortages, AI-powered safety management is essential, especially in driving resolution, not just reaction. That means automating every step of the safety loop — from first alert to final closure.

See how Hubble transforms alerts into action. Schedule a demo today.