Image capture on jobsites is increasing significantly in recent times. The goal of these pictures to track project progress and help teams maximize quality and maintain the schedule. Even though they may not be actual video, so many images are collected, very complete pictures of the project can be developed and analyzed.
Video is sometimes discussed less than image capture but can be very beneficial in its own way. This is because when people know (or even assume) they are on camera, they are more likely to follow rules and perform better. Even fake cameras can positively impact behavior. A recent article written in collaboration with construction industry insurance pros discussed four main points that cameras can help with. Video can help:
Promote safety by capturing and reviewing video of near misses and potential bad work habits. Corrective action can then be taken before a major issue arises.
Promote productivity by allowing for review of both good and bad crews based on productivity. It is feasible that one person could do this for several crews.
Lessen burden for subs by helping verify that coordination is effective and by helping identify gaps in performance/scope.
Assist in claims situations by providing a ton of information that helps make the claim process more accurate and less time consuming.
I actually have experience with video saving my team from a pretty substantial 3rd party claim. It took place in 2007 when video cameras were still thing. I ran several traffic control crews responsible for over 11 miles of work zone setups spread across a 50 mile area. My crews couldn't be everywhere at all times so I had them video setups to document they were correct. In addition to documenting setups were correct for potential claims, video helped me verify the types of setups crews required were being delivered on time. The most congested work area where I had regular setups was in downtown Phoenix. Lots of cars, buses, pedestrians and more traveled through my work zone on a daily basis. An unfortunate event occurred in the vicinity of my project one night. A uninsured drunk driver ran head on into a vehicle in which a mother and daughter were travelling together in. The mom was relatively uninjured but the daughter required life long living assistance as a result of her injuries. As part of civil claims/lawsuit process, they sued my company. Fortunately for us, my team had videoed that area earlier in the evening. The video proved that our setup was correct and that our setup was not actually involved in the accident. The accident actually occurred within the right of way of an adjacent project. For what might have cost me a few hundred dollars in labor and equipment, video saved my company from a $750,000 claim. Upon producing video evidence, the claim against us was dropped.
Video also indirectly helped my team in other situations. In dozens of instances where people filed claims requesting compensation for an injury or property damage, video was referenced to either prove other crews weren't working in the area or were doing work that did not cause the injury or property damages claimants were requesting compensation for. Most of these claims were five figures our so in size so no one claim would have broken the project bank but together the bottom line would have been significantly impacted.
My perspective is that video is more help than big brother. I didn't rely on it to watch and control every aspect of my crews' daily routine but it did help when negative claims were made against my team and the project. It kept my crews honest and help me sleep every night knowing that they were doing their jobs right to protect our crews and the travelling public.
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