Balfour Beatty Implements Safety Technology

Balfour Beatty, a leading tier one contractor, is pioneering the use of advanced safety technology on construction sites, marking a significant shift in industry practices. The company has mandated the use of human recognition cameras across a wide range of its construction equipment, setting a new standard for safety in the industry.

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The centerpiece of this safety initiative is the deployment of human recognition cameras, supplied by Safety Shield Global. These cameras are specifically designed to address one of the most critical safety challenges on construction sites: blind spots around mobile machinery. The cameras detect human forms within these blind spots and automatically trigger an alarm to alert both pedestrians and the machine operator to potential risks, significantly reducing the likelihood of accidents.

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The human recognition cameras continuously monitor the area around the mobile plant equipment. When a person enters a blind spot, the system detects their presence and immediately alerts both the pedestrian and the operator. This real-time alert system enhances situational awareness and allows for prompt action to prevent accidents.

In addition to the cameras, Balfour Beatty has introduced a ‘digital thumbs up’ system. This innovative feature allows plant operators to temporarily disable the machine, creating a virtual no-entry zone around it. When it is safe for an individual to approach, the operator can signal by turning the no-entry sign into a green thumbs up symbol, ensuring clear communication and safe interaction between workers and machinery.

Key Benefits

• Improved Safety: The human recognition cameras and the digital thumbs up system work together to significantly reduce the risk of accidents caused by blind spots and miscommunication, providing an extra layer of protection for workers on site.
• Enhanced Communication: The digital thumbs up system fosters better communication between machine operators and pedestrians, ensuring that everyone on site is aware of when it is safe to approach mobile equipment.
• Industry Leadership: By mandating this technology, Balfour Beatty positions itself as a leader in construction safety, setting a new benchmark for other contractors to follow.

Balfour Beatty's decision to mandate human recognition cameras and the digital thumbs up system represents a major advancement in construction site safety. This initiative highlights the company's commitment to protecting its workers and demonstrates how cutting-edge technology can be leveraged to create safer working environments.