Alongside the development of large-scale infrastructural and private residential projects in recent years, there has been a rapid advancement in Hong Kong’s construction industry. The total construction volume is expected to increase consistently over the next few years, as stated in the Construction Expenditure Forecast conducted by the Construction Industry Council last year. As of 2031/2032, the gross value of construction works (GVCW) will surge to a number as high as HKD375 billion according to the forecast. Large-scale infrastructural projects often include multiple heavy machinery. Securing related workers’ safety becomes a determining issue in the industry. According to the data abstracted from the Site Reports of Labour Department and Housing Authority, 20 industrial accidents on construction sites, including falls from height, struck by heavy machinery/construction materials, intoxicated/injured in confined space, were recorded last year. Great importance should be placed to safety matters on construction sites as it not only affects construction progress, but also threatens the lives and health of workers.
Enhancing Safety Management with AI and Emerging Technologies
Steve Ng, Managing Director of Commercial Group, HKT, stated, “Traditional site safety management measures rely on manual operations, which makes it difficult to accurately identify and prevent potential safety threats. Implementation of technologies allows for real time risk forecasting and assessment, reducing incidents.” Technology Applications such as 5G, IoT, AI, robotic process automation (RPA) and big data analysis have made construction site safety management automated and intelligent. For example, project managers can leverage the advantages of 5G for remote IoT monitoring and understand the instant condition of the site environment and facilities precisely and timely. With AI applications, safety managers can inspect the safety equipment wearing status of workers, such as safety helmets and reflective safety jacket; estimate risks of working at height and potential heavy machinery; and visualise safety in confined space. By analysing data collected from IoT and AI applications, potential safety risks are instantly identified with alerts, letting safety managers take control on risk with a more effective way and take corresponding actions to ensure the safety of front-line workers.
Technology applications help safety managers take control on risk with a more effective way and take corresponding actions to ensure the safety of front-line workers.
4S, a Key for Safe Construction Environment
The Development Bureau and Construction Industry Council mandated that construction projects with contracts valued over HKD30 million must implement the Smart Site Safety System (4S) starting from February 2023. The Buildings Department has recently announced that private construction projects are also required to adopt 4S, effective from July 1, 2024. Regardless of public or private construction projects, both must actively adopt 4S to enhance construction safety. “The working environment and project operations vary across different sites. Contractors should carefully assess and evaluate the specific requirements of each site to select the most suitable solutions for implementing 4S,” Steve said. HKT Enterprise Solutions | 1O1O integrated advanced technologies like 5G, IoT and AI in its 4S Easy Solution with highly efficient, centralised management dashboard, and extensive fibre and mobile network connectivity, supporting contractors to address 4S requirements. In addition to offering comprehensive connectivity, the solution also supports contractors to deploy 4S, including Hazardous Area Access Control by Electronic Lock and Key System, Mobile Plant Operation Danger Zone Monitoring, Town Crane Lifting Zone Monitoring, Smart Monitoring Devices for Workers and Frontline Site Personnel, Smart Monitoring System using AI, Confined Space Monitoring System, etc.
HKT Enterprise Solutions | 1O1O offers ranging of smart safety solutions that support various construction projects to meet 4S requirements
Facilitating Technology Application with Innovation Network Solution
To adapt to the ever-changing environment of construction sites, contractors need to adjust the deployment of safety systems timely to ensure worker safety and smooth progress of construction projects in various stages. Thus, HKT Enterprise Solutions | 1O1O has introduced an industry-leading smart construction station in Hong Kong, integrating multiple network technologies (e.g. 5G WiFi, Bluetooth, LoRa) and 4S devices (e.g. AI camera, site alarms and site lightings) on a single station, which provides seamless connectivity for the entire site and support flexible operation of 4S and other digitalised systems. With a self-charging battery empowered by wind or solar energy, the station enables continuous operation even when there is no external power source, saving energy costs. The mobility feature allows easy and quick relocation of the platform in adaptation to the changing construction environment.
HKT Enterprise Solutions | 1O1O has introduced the industry-leading smart construction station that navigates the ever-changing construction environment.
HKT Enterprise Solutions | 1O1O is dedicated to offering connectivity solutions for above the ground construction applications and also understands the challenges of underground connectivity. Previously, setting up communication networks underground has always been a complicated task. The complex working environment underground results in difficulties and high costs in network deployment and maintenance. A confined underground environment may also lead to weakening signals and disruptions of wireless connection. To deal with the constraints of confined space underground, HKT Enterprise Solutions | 1O1O innovates in adopting its first 5G manhole antenna to tame connectivity challenges by providing a stable and reliable connection over such a confined underground space, enabling diversified technologies in confined spaces. For example, AI cameras and gas detectors are utilised to instantly safeguard construction workers working in confined spaces, supporting the construction industry in implementing 4S-compliance safety management. Besides construction industry, the technology also supports the management of underground facilities across industries, such as property management. Leveraging on 5G manhole antenna, HKT Enterprise Solutions | 1O1O has successfully deployed the first commercial use case in 5G IoT underground facilities management for a large-scale property manager in Hong Kong. The property manager can facilitate AI video surveillance with 5G to monitor the conditions underground instantly, managing underground facilities remotely and enhancing workers’ safety.
5G manhole antennas support the construction industry to achieve 4S requirements.
Apart from initiating innovative construction safety solutions which assist construction industry in strengthening construction site safety, HKT Enterprise Solutions | 1O1O is also devoted to offering diversified intelligent solutions catering for the requisite of digital transformation across industries like healthcare, banking, finance and insurance.
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Source: etNet website, 31 Jul 2024. Translated by 1O1O Corporate Solutions.