The University of Connecticut has opened the National Lab for Occupational Heat Safety to study the effects of extreme heat on workers. The lab, developed in partnership with Magid and MISSION, can simulate various environmental conditions, including high altitude. "This new facility ideally positions KSI to be a major player to increase attention and understanding of what we can do to keep workers productive and safe when they have to do jobs in the heat," says Korey Stringer Institute CEO Douglas Casa, a kinesiology professor at UConn.

A three-year pilot program using video surveillance and coaching at NYC construction sites reduced workers' compensation claims by more than 50%. Zurich North America, Arrowsight and major construction firms such as Skanska and Tutor Perini participated in the test, which produced significant improvements in worker safety compliance, particularly in fall protection.

A new report from the CPWR -- the Center for Construction Research and Training indicates that construction workers encounter significantly more hazardous work conditions, including exposure to hazardous chemicals, when compared with workers in other industries. The CPWR report provides industry-specific exposure scores, revealing that construction workers had a harmful contaminant exposure score of 73.2 and a working-at-height exposure score of 54.9 in 2024. In comparison, nonconstruction workers had scores of 43.6 and 14, respectively.

Insurers are increasingly investing in sector-specific expertise to address the unique risk challenges faced by specialized industries, writes Dr. Ronda McCarthy of Intact Insurance Specialty Solutions. This approach involves deploying specialists with deep industry knowledge to provide tailored risk management strategies, moving from generic recommendations to targeted interventions that significantly reduce claims and improve operational efficiency.

Utility and excavation contractors face safety and compliance challenges due to fragmented project information systems, writes David Homola of PlanRadar. Centralizing data on a digital platform enhances safety, reduces delays and ensures regulatory compliance. Homola emphasizes the importance of structured data for leveraging artificial intelligence to optimize operations and predict incidents.

The construction industry is being transformed by artificial intelligence and geospatial technologies, which are eliminating the divide between spatial and nonspatial data. This integration enables real-time project management, enhanced safety and sustainability, and cost reduction. AI-driven geospatial systems automate data analysis, predict risks, and optimize resource allocation, leading to more efficient and safer construction processes.

Warehouse safety is evolving as tighter aisles and faster-moving equipment increase the risk of accidents, prompting a shift from traditional steel guardrails to flexible polymer systems. A-Safe has introduced a fourth-generation polymer guardrail with embedded impact sensors, designed to absorb energy and minimize floor damage. The system has been well-received by companies such as Cummins, which has seen a reduction in maintenance and downtime since adopting the polymer barriers.

Switching from Type I to Type II helmets in construction and other heavy industries could substantially reduce head injuries and fatalities, says Steve Rowson, director of the Helmet Lab at Virginia Tech. Type II helmets, which feature chin straps and internal padding, reduce concussion risk by 34% and skull fracture risk by 65%, according to Rowson's research. Despite these advantages, Type II helmets remain underused, often due to concerns about comfort, cost and outdated standards.

Accenture has partnered with Nvidia to introduce the Physical AI Orchestrator, a cloud-based platform designed to transform factories into software-defined facilities. The platform uses digital twins to simulate and optimize operations in real time, integrating Nvidia's vision AI and robotics capabilities. Early adopters have reported significant improvements in safety, efficiency and product quality, with examples including a 20% increase in throughput and 15% capital savings.