Frontline workers at Kier Highways are trialling a new app that conducts digital risk assessments and can reduce the time it takes to produce assessments by up to 85%.
The FYLD app, which is being trialled on the National Highways Area 13 contract, uses video analytics and Artificial Intelligence (AI) to help staff identify and record hazards and control measures that they see in their work environment.
Image: Kier/Paul Greenwood
Kier said that a central component to improving systems and processes is to digitise the risk assessment process, which currently takes field crews an average of 20 minutes per assessment.
FYLD works through field workers taking 30-second videos of their site, talking through hazards that are present or noticeably absent. The software then reviews the video and audio data and generates a visual risk assessment (VRA) with a bullet-point list of potential risks and proposed control measures.
Field workers can assess and amend the VRA before it is shared with a remote manager for their review and input.
Kier said the system is set up to replicate social media. All employees involved in a job can all be added to it to chat, video call and collaborate on challenges.
So far, 1,300 VRAs have been completed in the trial with each one saving an average of 17 minutes of field workers’ time.
James Bird, senior SHE manager at Kier Highways, said risk assessments are a task that can occur several times a day for those operating in the field.
He said: ‘Our field managers, who typically manage multiple job sites spread across an area, wanted better connection and enhanced visibility with their teams on the ground.
‘FYLD is the only purpose-built digital tool for the fieldwork sector and offers an easy-to-use interface, simple data collection and communication features.’
