Limburg construction firms use AI camera to check safety gear compliance

Limburg-based construction firms Houben and Vanderstraeten have piloted an innovative AI-powered camera system designed to ensure safety compliance on their work sites. The trial, conducted at the Myna care group's site in Sint-Truiden, focused on monitoring whether personnel and visitors were wearing essential safety equipment, including helmets, high-visibility vests, and safety shoes. The results over a month-long period were highly positive, with commercial director Andres Lesire of Houben reporting that only 1% of individuals failed to comply with the safety regulations.

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We establish that only 1 percent of visitors or employees are not in order with wearing a helmet, a high-visibility vest, and safety shoes.

Lesire attributed this high compliance rate not only to the new technology but also to years of preventative safety policies and training. "Our people are trained to protect themselves well and to point out to our partners the obligation to wear safety materials. Furthermore, this is always clearly indicated with signage. This long-term commitment is now bearing fruit," he stated. While the trial demonstrated the effectiveness of the AI system in tracking compliance, Houben does not currently plan to equip all its sites with such cameras. The focus was on gathering data, as previously, compliance was largely based on "gut feeling" rather than concrete numbers.

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Our people are trained to protect themselves well and to point out to our partners the obligation to wear safety materials. Furthermore, this is always clearly indicated with signage. This long-term commitment is now bearing fruit.

The implementation of AI cameras on work sites naturally raises privacy concerns. Lesire sought to reassure the public, emphasizing that all image material is anonymized. While site management receives notifications if someone enters the site without proper gear, they do not know the individual's identity. The images are also not stored long-term, mitigating potential privacy breaches. This approach balances the need for enhanced safety monitoring with respect for individual privacy.

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All image material is obviously anonymized. Site management does receive a notification that someone not in order has entered the site, but we don't know if it's person X or Y. Images are also not kept long-term.

Both Houben and Vanderstraeten are committed to innovation within the construction sector, recognizing AI's growing importance. Beyond safety monitoring, they are exploring other AI applications. A project is currently being prepared to use AI in sorting construction waste, addressing the critical issue of sustainability in the industry. "Sustainability is also very important. Sorting construction waste is not easy. We are looking to see if AI can help make that process better in the future," Lesire added, highlighting the companies' forward-thinking approach.

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Sustainability is also very important. Sorting construction waste is not easy. We are looking to see if AI can help make that process better in the future.