with workers as Hensel Phelps Chief Innovation Officer Thai Nguyen discusses using technology to improve worksites security, he was always careful to highlight why it was important, especially what to monitor.
“We’re really reassured that they think monitoring only happens at work – when they come home from get off work, This is their world, their privacy,” he said. “But there’s a lot of value in this type of data being collected and understood when they’re on the job site.”
Thai Nguyen
Hensel Phelps
as More contractors adopt safety technology Collect and store personal data, including CCTV surveillance, GPS location tracking and weight sensors in the driver’s seat, to maintain privacy and protect the sensitive information of employees – who worry about their own Personal data can be misused, sold to third-party vendors or stolen by hackers – it has become a vital responsibility.
“The construction industry is a big target for the ransomware industry, mainly because its practices are so lax around business data ,” said David Ward, CEO of Safe Site Check In, a construction management software company that digitally captures job site access and safety data.
A big part of the problem, Ward said, is that construction companies “expect a lot of people to wear a lot of hats, and strict Data privacy is often not the focus of their training.” For this reason, “it’s a better low-risk approach to have a vendor that takes privacy seriously, rather than just assuming an administrator who understands Google Apps can handle it.”
David Ward
Thanks for checking in the secure site
According to Matt Abeles, vice president of construction technology and innovation at Associated Builders and Contractors, site monitoring “has seen a massive uptick during Covid”.
But Ward said many vendors that offer “free” security checks are selling the data they collect for Third parties for marketing and advertising purposes. To ensure that doesn’t happen, contractors must review and pay for site monitoring and security software-as-a-service, Ward added.
The government has yet to step in to protect workers whose data is collected – although some laws protecting consumer privacy also apply to workers . In the EU, companies must comply with General Data Protection Regulation; The US leaves data privacy rights to each state. Experts expect something like California Consumer Privacy Act , which went into effect in 2018 to give consumers control over the personal information businesses collect about them, will be adopted nationwide in the coming years.
Wearables and Data Security
Contractors are increasingly requiring workers to use wearable safety technology that uses sensors like GPS, accelerometers, electrodes, thermometers and proximity sensors to track everything from fatigue levels to location.
“Furthermore, any biometric information – such as fingerprints – is considered sensitive and subject to additional protection,” said Allen Abrahamson, vice president of construction safety at Anda Global Risk Consultants.
The data collected by the company – which is undoubtedly important for improving safety and productivity – if it falls into the wrong hands, It’s easy to abuse.
failed to secure such a large amount of data,” the American Bar Association said in an article titled Wearables in Construction . “Therefore, the type and amount of data collected by wearables means that companies that control this data may be held liable. ”
Published on
Construction Worker Study*)International Journal of Occupational and Environmental Safety found that they were more likely Accept that companies share and utilize data collected from them on the job site if the company shows them how this will mitigate personal health risks or promote occupational safety. “Employees are far less willing to share their data to support workflow,” the authors said.
The article found that workers want wearables primarily aimed at improving safety and want a clear understanding of their How the data will be used. Most people are concerned that their personal data could end up in the wrong hands, but they are also concerned that employers will gain access to private and sensitive data that could be used against them.
Building trust is a key component of adopting security technology, According to go to research.
Contractors need to ensure that security technology providers protect and not sell their employees’ personal data and communicate with employees about how and why the data is collected. Hire providers with privacy policies The quotient is the key.
Heidi Lehmann
by Kenzen
Heidi Lehmann, co-founder and CEO of Kenzen, which sells A biometric monitoring device worn on the upper arm to predict and prevent heat-related injuries, illnesses and deaths in the workplace, the wearable was launched when companies were highly aware of workers’ privacy concerns – several of the startup’s An impact investor insists Kenzen take every precaution to protect employee data. In response, Kenzen developed Privacy Policy, posted on its website, Lehmann said “sets a standard for worker privacy through data collected in the workplace.”
Lehmann said workers are the only ones who can see details of their health data, and companies can only view aggregated and trended data collected by equipment, which helps them Understand which groups have higher risk rates for heat-related events and determine if shift times need to be adjusted.
“When we go to the site to arrange workers, the first thing we do is to introduce the dangers of high temperatures and their The reason why the company decided to invest in the Kenzen system,” Lehmann said. “We also outlined our approach to privacy. This is important.”
