Construction Safety in Singapore: The Role of AI-Driven Surveillance Systems
- Shoyab Ali
- Dec 27, 2023
- 5 min read
Updated: Sep 24
Construction safety in Singapore is a top national priority, with the Ministry of Manpower (MOM) enforcing safety guidelines across jobsites. As the city-state accelerates urban development, the risks associated with construction become increasingly complex. To address this, AI-powered video surveillance systems (VSS) in Singapore has become essential in driving safer, more compliant worksites.
Â
Singapore has seen a concerning number of construction-related accidents. According to a report by the MOM, in 2024, there were 20 fatalities in construction sector alone – nearly 50% of all 43 workplace deaths that happened that year, with the fatality rate rising to 3.7 per 100,000 workers in construction versus 1.2 overall. This sharp increase has propelled greater urgency around construction safety in Singapore and strengthened requirements for proactive construction risk assessment in Singapore.
By employing these smart video surveillance systems, MOM aims to foster a culture of safety and accountability within construction sites. These systems not only act as a deterrent against unsafe behaviors but also serve as invaluable tools for post-incident investigations. With high-definition CCTV cameras strategically positioned across sites, MOM can analyze footage to pinpoint the root causes of accidents or near-misses, facilitating comprehensive reviews that lead to enhanced safety protocols and preventive measures. Thus, the compulsory nature of AI-driven construction monitoring aligns with Singapore's commitment to ensuring the well-being of workers and maintaining the highest standards of safety within the construction industry.
Why Construction Safety in Singapore Calls for Automated Video Monitoring Solutions?
Singapore's construction scenario demands heightened safety measures due to several factors. Firstly, the rapid pace of urban development and the concurrent surge in construction projects amplify the inherent risks associated with a bustling industry.
Secondly, the multicultural workforce in Singapore's construction sector, comprising individuals from diverse backgrounds and skill levels, necessitates robust safety protocols to ensure uniform understanding and adherence to safety practices. Moreover, the densely populated urban landscape and the close proximity of construction sites to residential or commercial areas accentuate the urgency for stringent safety measures to prevent any potential harm to the public.
Â
Lastly, Singapore's commitment to maintaining its reputation as a global business and economic hub necessitates an unwavering dedication to exemplary safety standards, ensuring the well-being of its workforce and the sustainability of its construction endeavors.
Thus, MOM's Video Surveillance System (VSS) initiative of Singapore reinforces the urgency for stringent safety measures in Singapore's construction scenario, creating a robust framework for proactive risk mitigation and safety enforcement.
Due to these concerns, MOM has made the adoption of smart video monitoring tools essential for effective construction safety management. MOM mandates the utilization of video surveillance system (VSS) for:
Monitoring construction activities
Enabling real-time oversight of operations
Identifying safety breaches
Promptly addressing any unsafe practices
Thus, the government’s proactive stance, reflected through MOM’s regulatory requirements and the Building & Construction Authority’s (BCA) Construction Safety Promotion Framework, demonstrates how seriously Singapore prioritizes workplace safety.
How AI is Transforming Construction Risk Assessment in Singapore?
AI solutions for construction safety in Singapore are revolutionizing how jobsite risks are assessed, leveraging technologies such as video analytics and real-time alerts. These systems, integrated with Artificial Intelligence (AI), Video Analytics, and automated alerts significantly enhance safety protocols through multifaceted functionalities:
PPE (Personal Protective Equipment) Detection: AI algorithms embedded within Video Surveillance Systems (VSS) swiftly identify PPE compliance among workers – an essential element of construction site safety in Singapore. By analyzing video feeds, the system recognizes if individuals are wearing necessary safety gear such as helmets, vests, or goggles. Instant alerts are triggered for non-compliance, supporting workplace safety in Singapore and significantly reducing the risk of on-site accidents through proactive monitoring.
Open Edge Detection: AI-powered video analytics solutions for open edge detection can automatically detect unprotected open edges, such as missing guardrails on elevated platforms and scaffolds. These edges pose significant fall risks – a major contributor to construction-related injuries in Singapore. Real-time detection helps site managers intervene promptly, ensuring compliance with MOM’s fall protection requirements.
Unauthorized Access Detection: AI algorithms within the area control safety system instantly detect and flag unauthorized personnel or intruders entering restricted zones. This capability not only enhances security but also supports construction site safety in Singapore by minimizing the risk of accidents or disruptions caused by unauthorized access to hazardous areas.
Man-Machinery Proximity Notifications: The intelligent camera system provides real-time proximity detection between workers and heavy machinery. Through object recognition and spatial analysis, the system alerts both workers and machinery operators about potential collisions or unsafe distances, significantly reducing the risk of accidents.
Vehicular Safety Technology (VST): AI-powered vehicular safety solutions help manage the movement of heavy vehicles and machinery within Singapore’s densely packed construction sites. These systems detect blind spots, monitor pedestrian-vehicle interactions, and issue real-time alerts to prevent potential collisions. By reducing transport-related incidents, VSTs play a crucial role in aligning with MOM’s vehicular safety guidelines and enhancing overall site safety.
Pedestrian Intrusion into Vehicular Area Alerts: By employing AI-based analytics, the video monitoring system can differentiate between pedestrians and vehicles, issuing alerts when pedestrians intrude into designated vehicular pathways within construction sites. This proactive warning system prevents potential collisions that helps ensure pedestrian safety.
Work at Height Monitoring:Â AI-driven surveillance systems also play a crucial role in ensuring work at height safety, identifying instances of non-compliance with safety protocols. By analyzing video feeds, the system detects risky behaviors or inadequate safety measures, allowing for timely interventions to prevent falls and other accidents.
Worker Under Suspended Load Detection: The intelligent video monitoring systems can also identify instances where workers are operating beneath suspended loads, such as cranes or hoists – a high-risk scenario flagged in Singapore’s workplace safety guidelines. By alerting site teams in real-time, the video surveillance system (VSS) helps prevent fatal accidents and promotes a more proactive safety culture.
What role viAct plays in enhancing construction site safety in Singapore?
viAct, a leading ConTech startup in Asia, pioneer solutions for construction challenges, focusing on safety, productivity, and ESG concerns. Its video analytics solutions have been successful in numerous sites of Singapore as it employs its proprietary AI and computer vision to address safety and productivity needs unique to Singapore’s construction environments. The scenario-based AI detects non-compliance in real-time, alerting stakeholders to prevent accidents, fatalities and even minutest of the near misses. viAct’s construction monitoring software for Singapore is trained for Singaporean construction terrains so that it integrates data, providing insights and automation on a unified interface. Real-time analysis and predictive AI transform complex jobsite data into actionable insights, aiding better planning, cost control, schedule adherence, and enhance productivity in construction.
viAct AI-powered Video Surveillance Systems (VSS) in construction, especially in Singapore, encompass a robust video management system that incorporates PPE detection, vehicular safety alerts, access control, machine-vehicle-object proximity alerts, intrusion detection, workforce competence evaluation, and work at height monitoring. This comprehensive approach not only ensures compliance with safety regulations but also fosters a proactive safety culture, reducing accidents and enhancing overall safety in the construction industry in Singapore.
Quick Use Case:
viAct AI video analytics powered Open Edge Detection solution helped a leading construction contractor in Singapore prevent over 150 near-misses annually, achieving a 76% reduction in edge-related incidents and zero fall-from-height cases – supporting alignment with MOM’s WSH 2028 strategy. |
Thus, in the face of evolving construction challenges, AI-driven video surveillance stands out as a powerful ally in promoting construction safety in Singapore. From real-time compliance monitoring to predictive risk alerts, these systems are revolutionizing how safety is managed in Singapore.
Struggling to Ensure Safety at Your Construction Site in Singapore?
Read More: