Frontline operatives at Kier Highways are trialling the innovative new app FYLD, which conducts digital risk assessments and in turn saves time, increases safety, and boosts collaborative working practices.
In addition to increasing accuracy at the point of work, the new software can reduce the time it takes to produce risk assessments by up to 85%. This digital method will increase compliance, reduce stress, and allow other, independent users to view the risk assessment remotely, giving a fresh pair of eyes to spot hazards.
FYLD, which is being trialled on the National Highways Area 13 contract, uses video analytics and AI to help operatives and managers identify and record hazards and control measures that they see in their work environment.
A central component to improving systems and processes is to digitise the risk assessment process which currently take field crews an average of 20 minutes per assessment. FYLD uses AI to make a radical step change in improving the quality of risk assessments.
The application works through field workers taking 30-second videos of their site, talking through hazards that are present or noticeably absent. The software’s AI-engine then reviews the video and audio data and generates a visual risk assessment (VRA) with an easy-to-read 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. The result is a high-quality VRA completed in a shorter time.
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 – that’s an impressive saving of over 360 hours of field worker time in just six weeks.
James Bird, senior SHE manager at Kier Highways, said: “Recent feedback from frontline crews informed us that they sought simpler, faster processes to undertake risk assessments – a task which can occur several times a day for those operating in the field.
“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 field work sector and offers an easy-to-use interface, simple data collection and communication features. It also has a powerful Artificial Intelligence (AI) engine which uses predictive technology to improve safety and productivity.”
Josh Wood, FYLD client delivery lead, said: “It has been amazing to see how quickly the team at Area 13 has adapted to utilising FYLD to drive safety and productivity, with really strong leadership being shown in championing the change. Immediate time savings for fieldworkers and managers have been realised, which has helped in delivering the change as the team have felt the benefits quickly.
“By allowing remote site visibility, FYLD is driving remote, proactive interventions from managers and supervisors, which is both improving safety and productivity outcomes, and acting as a key communication tool between the office and the field.”
