In a world that is going mobile, applications are becoming more popular and versatile for each industry, including construction.
According to a report from My Safety Sign, construction firms have expressed the value of apps when it comes to getting the job done right.
In a survey of 249 construction firms, mobile applications were shown as helping the firms stay organized, monitor schedules and assign tasks.
Here are five construction safety apps that My Safety Sign picked for the industry:
1. Ladder Safety app
The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) released a Ladder Safety app this year. The app helps prevent falls by using audio and visual signals to help when an operator is checking a ladder’s angle.
“Construction workers just place their mobile phone against the ladder, and the app determines if the ladder’s inclination angle is correctly set at 77.5 degrees,” says Jerry Rivera, NECA Director, Safety.
The app has tips on selecting and inspecting a ladder, choosing accessories and understanding usage. It is available on both the Google Play Store and iTunes.
2. Forklift Safety Pro app
The Forklift Safety Pro helps operators fulfill OSHA Daily Inspections by asking a question a day from the OSHA Approved Forklift Operator Safety Test.
Because OSHA requires a re-evaluation of a forklift operator every three years, the app will give a daily countdown of days left until an operator has to re-certify.
If you operate the same truck daily, you can enter those details in the app to speed up your inspection time. The app is available on iTunes for $4.99.
Photo: My Safety Sign3. Dropped Objects Calculator
The app calculates the impact of a fallen object by entering the object’s weight and the approximate fall distance. It tells you the impact in Joules. The app categorizes the impact by the following:
- Slight: Limited injury, which can be treated with first aid.
- Minor: Employee received medical treatment beyond first aid. A recordable incident.
- Major: A Lost Time Incident occurred, meaning the injury caused time away from work after the shift or day it happened.
- Fatality: The injury or trauma causes death.
It costs $2.99 and can be downloaded from iTunes.
4. iConstructSafe
iConstructSafe is a collection of short videos (2-3 minutes each) that shows proper safety practices on a jobsite. The videos are stored on a phone and Wi-Fi is not required. Subject material ranges from PPE to fall prevention and ergonomics. There are also videos on power tools, hand tools, air-powered tools and more.
It is a free app and can be downloaded from iTunes.
5. LiftRight
LiftRight uses the NIOSH Lifting Equation to analyze the safety of lifting tasks in the workplace. An illustrated measurement guide helps you fill in the information the app requires. It can also calculate the recommended weight limit.
The app is available for both Android devices and iPhones.
