Balfour Beatty, a leading international infrastructure group, has announced the implementation of human recognition technology across its UK operations. The company has mandated the use of human recognition cameras on certain plant and machinery to enhance safety and reduce the risk of work-related incidents. This initiative is part of Balfour Beatty's Zero Harm mission, aiming to improve the people and plant interface risk in the construction sector.

The human recognition technology is designed to detect the presence of individuals around the plant and trigger alarms to alert both pedestrians and the plant operator of potential risks. Additionally, a 'digital thumbs up' system has been introduced, allowing plant operators to temporarily disable the machinery to enable safe approach by individuals. The data collected from this technology will facilitate discussions on-site and drive behavioral changes to further enhance safety measures.

Balfour Beatty will mandate human form recognition cameras on various types of equipment, including excavators, dump trucks, rollers, telehandlers, dozers, and wheeled loaders. Chris Johnson, Balfour Beatty's Chief Technology Officer, emphasized the company's commitment to leveraging technology for safety, stating that the initiative is a crucial step towards eliminating harm across all projects and ensuring the safety of everyone involved.

The human form recognition requirement came into effect in June 2024 and will be extended to supply chain partners as a standard in 2025. Balfour Beatty's dedication to safety is evident in its record-breaking improvements in safety performance, including significant reductions in Lost Time Injury Rate and Major Injury Rate in the year ending 2023. The company's unwavering commitment to health, safety, and wellbeing underscores its pursuit of Zero Harm in all its operations.

For media inquiries, Tom Boorman, from Balfour Beatty, can be contacted at +44 (0)203 810 2345 or [email protected]. More information about Balfour Beatty's safety initiatives and progress can be found on their website.