Wearables heading to the field
Wearable technology is coming to the construction industry, according to the HCSS blog. Insurance industries have recognized the contribution wearables can have to worker safety and health. First there’s the ability of fitness trackers such as Fitbit and the Apple Watch to monitor worker health, and location, to track and improve a worker’s fitness numbers. Employers that work with their personnel to show improvements can receive rebates and discounts from insurers. Researchers are developing special safety vests for road workers to warn them of encroaching vehicles. The industry also sees potential for cameras such as Google Glass for instruction and communications. Visit the HCSS blog site here to view the complete post.
Retirees not being replaced fast enough is driving down productivity
Scott Judy at the ENR blog reports that construction productivity is going down and project budgets are going up. A significant contribution is the aging construction workforce and the low entry of new workers, according to statistics from the past 10 years presented at a recent meeting of the Construction Users Roundtable (CURT). Click here for the complete blog post.
Lean construction – put the focus on efficiency
Carla Williams writing at the Construction Informer blog presents a good explanation of what lean construction is and how unfamiliar contractors can put some of its techniques to good use. Focusing on efficiency, Williams presents several examples and points out the benefits of working to improve efficiency as key to realizing lean construction success. Check out this excellent post here.
General contractors: CGL check for “Your Work” exclusion
Commercial general liability (CGL) insurance coverage is not always guaranteed when property damage occurs due to the fault of a subcontractor. Attorney Amy Garber at the Buildsmartbradley (law firm) blog points out situations not covered and what contractors should check for in their policies to protect themselves. Find the blog post here.
