Construction companies are under increasing pressure to keep productivity up and costs down, while keeping their people safe.  But those pressures may be contributing to operator fatigue and a hidden cost for companies. One insurance group study says fatigue is an increasing trend in construction, leading in some cases to accidents and diminished productivity.

Caterpillar Safety Services is focusing on the consequences of fatigue with technology that detects fatigue and distraction.  The Driver Safety System is a non-intrusive, in-cab detection technology that instantly alerts operators the moment fatigue or distraction is identified. “When it uncovers a drowsy or distracted driver, it intervenes and wakes them up, saving their life or maybe somebody else’s,” says Mitch Cowart, Caterpillar Technology Expert.

The Cat® Smartband is a wrist-worn device that predicts fatigue. “And it does that mostly by measuring sleep quality and quantity,” says Cowart.

The system also includes Cat® Detect for Personnel, Radio Frequency Identification technology that detects ground workers present in an unsafe area behind equipment. The operator is alerted inside the cab with a visual and audible alarm when a ground worker is behind them.

GET THE LATEST STORIES AND TIPS FROM CATERPILLAR – SIGN UP FOR OUR E-NEWSLETTER

RELATED STORIES: