Seoul City Introduces 'Smart Safety Technology' for Danger Warnings at Construction Sites... Protecting Worker Safety

Over 30 Billion Won Public Construction Sites Introduce Advanced IT Technology to Enhance Safety and Prevent Accidents

[Asia Economy Reporter Lim Cheol-young] On the 13th, the Seoul Metropolitan Government announced that it will introduce smart safety technologies at public construction sites with budgets exceeding 30 billion won to build a safer city. The aim is to enhance safety at construction sites and prevent accidents in advance by integrating advanced IT technologies into smart safety systems.

The smart safety technologies to be introduced include four types: the ‘Remote Inspection System,’ ‘Heavy Equipment Proximity Warning Alarm System,’ ‘Worker Location Monitoring System,’ and ‘Environmental Sensor System.’ Additionally, an integrated control system, mobile apps, and wireless communication systems for operation and management will also be implemented.

The ‘Remote Inspection System’ uses a 360-degree rotatable video camera to remotely inspect the site and warn workers of potential hazards. The ‘Heavy Equipment Proximity Warning Alarm System’ alerts both workers approaching heavy equipment such as excavators and the equipment operators about the risks of proximity. The ‘Worker Location Monitoring System’ manages and controls the locations of workers operating near each Access Point (AP). The ‘Environmental Sensor System’ detects concentrations of oxygen, hydrogen sulfide, carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, and other gases at construction sites and displays the information on electronic signboards.

Since February, Seoul has been piloting smart safety technologies at construction projects such as the underground road and upper park development on Gukhoe-daero. In the first phase starting in April, these technologies will be prioritized and applied to 32 construction sites with budgets over 30 billion won commissioned by Seoul. All construction sites currently in the design phase will incorporate smart safety technologies, and from 2023 onward (phase two), these technologies will be introduced at all construction sites.

Furthermore, systems such as smart safety hooks that automatically detect fall risks based on video during high-altitude work and notify whether safety hooks are properly fastened will be reviewed and introduced after testing. Lee Jeong-hwa, head of the Seoul Metropolitan Government’s Urban Infrastructure Headquarters, stated, “The pilot introduction of smart safety technologies will enable safety management and supervision without blind spots,” adding, “We especially expect to break the cycle of recurring traditional accidents.”

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.