Construction Safety Foremost In Recent Report

Apr 13, 2023 - 2 years ago

“Construction vehicle safety devices must be fit for purpose” says technology specialist following the publication of a report indicating that 20% of Canada’s fatal work-related injuries in 2020 came from the construction industry, Brigade Electronics is calling on the sector to ensure commercial vehicle safety devices are fit for purpose.

Construction Safety Foremost In Recent Report — *Brigade Electronics is encouraging construction managers to ensure their vehicle safety devices are tough, durable and reliable for use in challenging conditions.*

The report, released by the Association of Workers' Compensation Boards of Canada, found that employees in demanding industries – mining, and extraction, agriculture, construction, manufacturing, and transportation – accounted for 65.14% of the 921 fatal occupational injuries.

Due to the size of construction vehicles and machinery, visibility can be limited for operators. Complex blind spots combined with tough conditions on construction sites can be a major contributing factor to collisions.

Warren Di Marco, CEO of Brigade Electronics Canada, commented: “Many countries are committing to making it compulsory for safety devices to be fitted to vehicles, and this has helped the number of work-related deaths caused by moving vehicles to decrease, but there is still more that can be done. Heavy duty industries, such as construction, agriculture, quarrying and mining, operate in some of the most demanding environments.

“Equipment – especially safety equipment – needs to be able to cope with extreme weather, debris, dust and unstable ground. We are encouraging fleet, plant and transport managers to take the environment into consideration when selecting safety devices to install onto construction equipment and machinery.”

Innovative safety technologies have been designed to alleviate the increased risk of working in environments where reduced visibility and demanding conditions are prevalent. Devices such as Brigade’s Backsense® radar obstacle detection systems, Backeye®360 cameras and monitors, bbs-tek® White Sound® reversing and warning alarms, and mobile digital recorders provide increased awareness that allows operators to react quickly during hazardous conditions.

Warren Di Marco continued: “Before selecting a device, managers need to look at the scenarios the safety products have been tested in. Have devices been put through rigorous assessments in multiple settings – like all Brigade products have – and proved to be waterproof, dustproof and shockproof, and effective in extremely low or high temperatures?

“Fleet, plant and transport managers must be confident that the safety devices they install are tough, durable and reliable, and will protect their workers during the type of conditions experienced on construction sites.”

Source: Brigade