CII ‘Hidden Gems’ Safety Week Series: AHR HMD Wearable Safety Procedure Aligned with the CII Best Practices
Using a head-mounted augmented reality (AR) device on an active highway or complex capital projects construction site demands careful consideration due to the limited peripheral vision that such devices can impose. Hard hat and safety helmet requirements can elevate those issues and draw into question ARs compatibility with the safety equipment. The steps outlined for safely integrating and using an AR headset on a construction site align with CII Best Practices in several key areas:
Risk Assessment and Site Adaptation
Start with a thorough risk assessment to understand how the AR device could affect safety and operations, especially concerning the loss of peripheral vision. Modify site layouts to minimize hazards that might not be easily visible with the AR device.
Front End Planning (FEP): Ensuring that potential hazards associated with AR use are identified and mitigated early in the project lifecycle, consistent with CII's emphasis on thorough front-end planning to manage and reduce risks.
Change Management: Addressing changes in workflow and potential disruptions by adapting the site and processes to include AR technology safely.
Integration with Safety Protocols
Ensure that the AR device is fully integrated with existing safety protocols. This may include configuring the device's display settings to maximize visibility and minimize distractions. Verify that the AR system can provide visual or auditory alerts for nearby hazards. Employ a Situational Awareness Observer while wearing and using the headset.
Safety Management: CII emphasizes the importance of integrating new technologies with existing safety protocols to maintain or enhance safety performance, as seen in practices like Zero Accidents Techniques.
Custom Fit and Comfort
Since the AR device needs to be used with a hard hat, ensure that both are compatible and can be worn comfortably together. Check that the AR device does not interfere with the fit or function of the hard hat.
Human Resource Management: Focusing on the ergonomic integration of technology to ensure worker comfort and reduce strain, aligning with CII's workforce-focused initiatives.
Training and Drills
Provide comprehensive training for workers on the proper use of the AR device, focusing on how to maintain situational awareness despite potential visibility limitations. Regular drills can help workers practice moving and working safely while using the AR device.
Workforce Development: Providing training and regular drills to adapt to new technology fits with CII's recommendations for continuous learning and skill development, particularly in managing new technologies on site.
Pilot Testing
Before full deployment, conduct pilot tests to gather feedback on the AR device's performance in real construction environments and adjust as necessary.
Implementation of CII Research: Conducting pilot tests allows for the evaluation and refinement of technology implementation, which mirrors CII's approach to iterative testing and validation of new practices and technologies before full-scale deployment.
Continuous Monitoring and Feedback
Once deployed, continuously monitor the use of AR devices and collect feedback from users. Use this information to improve safety measures, device configuration, and training programs.
Benchmarking & Metrics: Continuously monitoring the use of AR devices and gathering feedback to improve the process aligns with CII's practices for benchmarking and metrics, ensuring that the deployment of new technologies leads to measurable improvements in project outcomes.
Regulatory Compliance
Check with relevant safety regulations and standards to ensure compliance when introducing augmented technology into construction sites, particularly in areas with specific requirements for electronic device usage and visibility.
Compliance and Best Practices Implementation: Ensuring that the use of AR technology complies with relevant safety regulations supports CII’s emphasis on adherence to established standards and legal requirements to mitigate risks.
Conclusion
These steps are designed to maximize the benefits of using an AR device while maintaining high safety standards in a complex environment like highway construction or capital projects. The integration of AR technology not only improves operational efficiency but also adheres to best practices that safeguard the health and safety of workers, a core principle in CII's mission to enhance the delivery and outcome of construction projects.
CII Safety CBA brings CII ‘Hidden Gems’ Safety Week Series
It has been a pleasure for the CII Safety Community for Business Advancement (CBA) to mark Construction Safety Week 2024 with the CII ‘Hidden Gems’ Safety Week Series highlighting safety aspects across the capital facilities industry. The CBA hopes you found the series informative and useful in the safety programs within your organization.
The CBA closes by repeating its invitation to all CII members to join the Safety CBA either as a member or guest at one of its monthly sessions. The Safety CBA meets on the second Wednesday of each month from 10-11 a.m. CST. Topics are posted in the CII Upcoming Events calendar. The topic for the June 12 meeting is “Observation software, multi-contractor input/output.” The Safety CBA will additionally hold a face-to-face session on July 29 from 1-3 p.m. PST at the CII Annual Conference in San Diego, California.
Please contact Robert Wible at CII (Robert.wible@cii.utexas.edu) if you are interested in becoming a member or attending an upcoming Safety CBA meeting.
Risk Assessment and Site Adaptation
Start with a thorough risk assessment to understand how the AR device could affect safety and operations, especially concerning the loss of peripheral vision. Modify site layouts to minimize hazards that might not be easily visible with the AR device.
Front End Planning (FEP): Ensuring that potential hazards associated with AR use are identified and mitigated early in the project lifecycle, consistent with CII's emphasis on thorough front-end planning to manage and reduce risks.
Change Management: Addressing changes in workflow and potential disruptions by adapting the site and processes to include AR technology safely.
Integration with Safety Protocols
Ensure that the AR device is fully integrated with existing safety protocols. This may include configuring the device's display settings to maximize visibility and minimize distractions. Verify that the AR system can provide visual or auditory alerts for nearby hazards. Employ a Situational Awareness Observer while wearing and using the headset.
Safety Management: CII emphasizes the importance of integrating new technologies with existing safety protocols to maintain or enhance safety performance, as seen in practices like Zero Accidents Techniques.
Custom Fit and Comfort
Since the AR device needs to be used with a hard hat, ensure that both are compatible and can be worn comfortably together. Check that the AR device does not interfere with the fit or function of the hard hat.
Human Resource Management: Focusing on the ergonomic integration of technology to ensure worker comfort and reduce strain, aligning with CII's workforce-focused initiatives.
Training and Drills
Provide comprehensive training for workers on the proper use of the AR device, focusing on how to maintain situational awareness despite potential visibility limitations. Regular drills can help workers practice moving and working safely while using the AR device.
Workforce Development: Providing training and regular drills to adapt to new technology fits with CII's recommendations for continuous learning and skill development, particularly in managing new technologies on site.
Pilot Testing
Before full deployment, conduct pilot tests to gather feedback on the AR device's performance in real construction environments and adjust as necessary.
Implementation of CII Research: Conducting pilot tests allows for the evaluation and refinement of technology implementation, which mirrors CII's approach to iterative testing and validation of new practices and technologies before full-scale deployment.
Continuous Monitoring and Feedback
Once deployed, continuously monitor the use of AR devices and collect feedback from users. Use this information to improve safety measures, device configuration, and training programs.
Benchmarking & Metrics: Continuously monitoring the use of AR devices and gathering feedback to improve the process aligns with CII's practices for benchmarking and metrics, ensuring that the deployment of new technologies leads to measurable improvements in project outcomes.
Regulatory Compliance
Check with relevant safety regulations and standards to ensure compliance when introducing augmented technology into construction sites, particularly in areas with specific requirements for electronic device usage and visibility.
Compliance and Best Practices Implementation: Ensuring that the use of AR technology complies with relevant safety regulations supports CII’s emphasis on adherence to established standards and legal requirements to mitigate risks.
Conclusion
These steps are designed to maximize the benefits of using an AR device while maintaining high safety standards in a complex environment like highway construction or capital projects. The integration of AR technology not only improves operational efficiency but also adheres to best practices that safeguard the health and safety of workers, a core principle in CII's mission to enhance the delivery and outcome of construction projects.
CII Safety CBA brings CII ‘Hidden Gems’ Safety Week Series
It has been a pleasure for the CII Safety Community for Business Advancement (CBA) to mark Construction Safety Week 2024 with the CII ‘Hidden Gems’ Safety Week Series highlighting safety aspects across the capital facilities industry. The CBA hopes you found the series informative and useful in the safety programs within your organization.
The CBA closes by repeating its invitation to all CII members to join the Safety CBA either as a member or guest at one of its monthly sessions. The Safety CBA meets on the second Wednesday of each month from 10-11 a.m. CST. Topics are posted in the CII Upcoming Events calendar. The topic for the June 12 meeting is “Observation software, multi-contractor input/output.” The Safety CBA will additionally hold a face-to-face session on July 29 from 1-3 p.m. PST at the CII Annual Conference in San Diego, California.
Please contact Robert Wible at CII (Robert.wible@cii.utexas.edu) if you are interested in becoming a member or attending an upcoming Safety CBA meeting.
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