The U.K. construction industry trends showcase a continuous state of flux, new technologies are opening up and improving our industry, with the thanks of software-based applications and 3D mapping technology. Fewer accidents mean an improved focus on health and safety, allowing your workers to work in a safety-focused environment, and the rise of green construction projects making your project and workers environmentally aware.
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Here are the three U.K. construction industry trends
1) Fewer Accidents
If these new numbers by the HSE are to be believed, the number of U.K. construction accidents are dropping. Over the 2014/15 period,142 workers were fatally injured, which means the rate of fatal injury stands at 0.46 deaths per 100,000 workers. That number is 9% lower than the average over the past five years. Over the past 20 years, the number of fatal injuries has been declining, according to the HSE.
2) The Rise in Technology
A new report by JBKnowledge surveyed over 1,000 construction employees to get a better understanding of technology adoption and its usage within the construction industry.
Nearly 50% of the report’s respondents said mobile technology was important, compared with 39% in their 2013 survey. 72% of construction professionals primarily used mobile devices for the daily work, while nearly 70% used laptops and 50% used tablets, according to the report. “The total number of devices used by construction professionals for work purposes in 2014 versus 2013 did not increase dramatically,” the report says, however, the research indicates that more “companies are providing hardware” for work purposes. Meaning construction companies are investing in a range of technological devices to increase worker productivity.
According to the report, emerging technology is also playing a pivotal role. Construction companies are using drones and other 3D scanning technology to manage projects, perform safety checks and provide detailed aerial and terrestrial imaging in order to get a full picture of a construction site.
“3D laser scanning and technology, like Google™ Project Tango, will see the most applause from estimators who no longer have to manually measure a space, but instead can point a device into a room and immediately read its dimensions, says the report. However, 71% of construction professionals said their company are not using any form of virtual or augmented reality on any projects, with only 3.4% saying they use this form of technology, indicating a lack of usage for now.
“If technology providers can make these solutions affordable, they will transform the way all construction companies, large and small, interact with plan files, guide heavy machinery, secure job site workers and so much more.
3) Green Construction
According to the World Green Building Trends Survey, 51% of construction firms indicated that 60% of their work will be green by 2015, which is significantly higher than 28% of firms in 2012. 76% of construction firms reported that the incorporation of green building, significantly lowered the operating costs of a construction project, while 19% of what the report calls global industry professionals believe their operating costs will decrease by 15% as a result of green building.
According to TriplePundit, there has been a significant rise in the use of sustainable construction material within the U.K, such as biodegradable materials such as natural paints or steel beams that are made from “recycled metal”. The U.K has also seen an increase in the use of cross-ventilation that, according to Autodesk Sustainability Workshop, use the outside wind to allow for a more natural environment. The U.K. construction industry is also seeing the significant usage of software to ensure your construction company is green compliant. Programs like Construction Suite allow your company to build checklists to ensure your project is energy efficient and you are using the most environmentally friendly equipment.
If you would like to learn more about using technology to keep your construction project accident free and improve your green credentials contact us Watch our 60 seconds Video or Take a Free Demo Today
