Back to Newsroom Video surveillance in construction site safety with AI cameras and construction management software.

May 26, 2023By Kelvin Tan

Enhancing Workplace Safety in Construction: The Power of Video Surveillance Camera with Advanced AI Capabilities and Hubble's Digital Construction Management Platform

Introduction of Video Surveillance Initiatives

The construction industry plays a pivotal role in shaping the urban landscape and driving economic growth. However, ensuring the safety of workers on construction sites has always been a significant challenge. To address this concern and enhance workplace safety, the Singapore Ministry of Manpower (MOM) recently mandated the implementation of video surveillance system in construction projects valued at $5 million or more.

The VSS, which stands for Video Surveillance System, comprises a comprehensive network of Closed-Circuit Television (CCTV) cameras, monitors, display units, and recorders. These components collectively serve multiple purposes:

Surveillance of construction sites
Identification of workplace safety and health (WSH) risks
Facilitation of incident investigation and corrective actions
Deterrence of unsafe workplace behaviours

This proactive measure aims to mitigate the risks associated with high-risk work activities and prevent fatal and major injury incidents. In light of the rise in workplace accidents and the persistent need for stronger safety measures, MOM's decision to introduce video surveillance initiatives underscores the commitment to safeguarding the well-being of construction workers.

Need for Enhanced Safety Monitoring

The construction industry is inherently complex, involving various high-risk work activities such as demolition, excavation, lifting operations, and working at heights. These activities require meticulous safety protocols to protect workers from potential hazards. However, manual supervision and monitoring can be challenging, especially in large-scale projects, leading to increased risks and accidents.

To address these challenges, video surveillance systems with advanced Artificial Intelligence (AI) capabilities also known as AI cameras have emerged as a promising solution. These AI cameras are more than just traditional CCTV systems with basic video analytics. These systems leverage artificial intelligence and machine learning algorithms to process and interpret video feeds in real-time thereby enhancing safety monitoring, detect anomalies, and mitigate risks effectively. By harnessing the power of AI, construction companies can revolutionise their safety practices and create a safer working environment.

Applications of AI Cameras in Construction

AI cameras offer a range of functionalities that go beyond conventional video surveillance. Let's explore some of the key applications in construction:

1. Facial Recognition: AI cameras can identify personnel at entry and exit points of each work zone, creating a trail with time stamped locations to track their whereabouts. This non-intrusive detection method eliminates the need for deliberate action or cooperation from personnel, ensuring seamless monitoring.

2. Pedestrian Intrusion into Construction Vehicular Access: AI cameras can detect unauthorised personnel intruding into construction vehicular access areas, triggering alerts. They can differentiate between authorised scenarios, such as personnel travelling on vehicles, and unauthorised entry, ensuring enhanced safety and security.

3. Effective Usage of Personal Fall Arrest System: AI cameras can detect the usage of body harnesses for personnel working at heights, ensuring compliance with fall prevention measures. Continuous monitoring of personnel with proper anchorage improves safety standards and reduces the risk of falls.

4. Safe Means of Access for Working at Height: AI cameras can identify the use of safe means of access, such as platform ladders, instead of A-frame ladders. This promotes the adoption of safer equipment and reduces the chances of accidents during vertical mobility.

5. Installation of Physical Barricades: AI cameras can monitor the continuous presence of effective barricades around heavy machinery, ensuring personnel stay away from operation zones. This helps prevent accidents and unauthorised access, enhancing overall site safety.

6. Fall Prevention Measures: AI cameras can detect the continuous presence of effective guardrails at the edge of structures and excavations. This proactive monitoring ensures compliance with safety regulations and reduces the risk of falls from heights.

7. Workers Positioned Under Lifted Loads Monitoring: AI cameras can effectively monitor and detect workers positioned under lifted or suspended loads. By continuously tracking the locations and movements of personnel in proximity to overhead cranes, hoisting equipment, or suspended loads, AI cameras ensure enhanced safety measures. They can promptly identify potential hazards and trigger alarms or alerts to prevent accidents and protect workers from falling objects.

8. Presence of Competent Workforce: AI cameras can assess the skill sets and credentials of personnel in the vicinity of high-risk work activities. By detecting unauthorised access to hazardous areas, they ensure the presence of a competent workforce and minimise the chances of accidents caused by unqualified personnel.

Role of Hubble in Enhancing Safety Monitoring

In the face of these challenges, the introduction of video surveillance systems represents a significant stride towards improving workplace safety. These initiatives not only target the reduction of accidents and injuries but also address the manpower constraints faced by site supervisors. With the ability to augment safety supervision and facilitate better site monitoring, video surveillance systems have the potential to play a crucial role in creating a safer construction environment. However, simply deploying surveillance cameras is not enough. Companies need comprehensive solutions that harness the power of technology to ensure compliance, detect anomalies, and proactively mitigate risks.

This is where Hubble, a leading provider of digital construction management solutions, comes in. Hubble understands the unique needs and safety requirements of the construction industry, backed by its extensive expertise and established credentials. Hubble aims to be a valuable partner in helping construction companies navigate the complex landscape of safety monitoring and risk mitigation.

By integrating advanced AI cameras into their digital construction management platform, Hubble empowers companies to revolutionise safety practices on construction projects, making worksites safer and more efficient than ever before. The combination of AI cameras and Hubble's platform offers a range of benefits, including:

1. Seamless Integration: Hubble's platform seamlessly integrates with AI cameras, creating a unified system that streamlines safety monitoring and reporting. This integration ensures that construction companies have a holistic view of site activities and can proactively address potential safety issues.

2. Real-Time Alerts and Notifications: Hubble's AI cameras are equipped with intelligent algorithms that can detect anomalies and trigger real-time alerts. Whether it's identifying unauthorised access, detecting safety violations, or monitoring compliance with safety protocols, Hubble ensures that incidents are promptly addressed, preventing potential accidents.

3. Data-Driven Insights: The combination of AI cameras and Hubble's platform generates valuable data insights. Construction companies can leverage this data to identify patterns, trends, and areas of improvement in their safety protocols. By leveraging data-driven insights, companies can make informed decisions, optimise safety measures, and continuously enhance their safety practices.

4. Enhanced Compliance: With Hubble's platform, construction companies can ensure regulatory compliance with ease. The integration of AI cameras provides accurate and verifiable data that can be used for compliance reporting, audits, and inspections. This reduces administrative burden and ensures adherence to safety regulations.

5. Proactive Risk Mitigation: By detecting anomalies and potential safety risks in real-time, Hubble's AI cameras enable proactive risk mitigation. Construction companies can take immediate action to address safety concerns, preventing accidents and injuries before they occur.

In conclusion, the introduction of video surveillance systems, particularly those equipped with AI capabilities, marks a significant step towards enhancing safety monitoring and risk mitigation in the construction industry. As companies strive to meet the requirements set by MOM and create safer work environments, it is crucial to partner with a trusted and experienced provider like Hubble. With their deep understanding of the construction industry's unique needs and safety requirements, Hubble offers a comprehensive digital construction management platform that integrates advanced AI cameras seamlessly.

Investing in AI cameras and adopting Hubble's digital construction management platform is a proactive step towards prioritising worker safety, mitigating risks, and improving overall project efficiency. By embracing these technological advancements, construction companies can achieve regulatory compliance, enhance their reputation, attract skilled workers, and ultimately make construction worksites safer and achieve successful project outcomes while ensuring the well-being of their workforce.

Contact Hubble today to learn more about how their advanced AI camera solutions, integrated with their digital construction management platform, can revolutionise safety monitoring and risk mitigation in your construction projects. Together, let's build a safer future for the construction industry.