Armchair site management

Look at the picture above. What do you see? It appears to be a rather poor-quality image of a pretty unexciting site.

Think again. You’re really seeing a site through a remote eye, taken by webcam and transmitted via the internet to anywhere in the world.

Now imagine that you can move the camera around to view different parts of the site, and that there are others positioned all round the project. What you have is a very useful construction management tool.

The technology is already tried and tested and in commercial use. Cameras, whether analogue or digital, can pan, tilt and zoom, with options for wireless systems or infra-red. A standard computer can then display real-time footage.

Who could benefit?

Site managers will still have to get out on site, but keeping their eye on all the different parts of the job via webcams will allow them to target problem areas first. A big bonus is the ability to see unsafe working practices and take early action. Two London site managers we spoke to said showing webcam footage of unsafe practices to their Eastern European workers was a real help as, due to the language barrier, they had struggled to communicate the problem effectively.

Building control officers could make their inspections remotely using webcams.

Clients can check progress can be checked any time, and using cameras fitted with zoom lenses, clients can view details which may have been unclear from the drawings.

Suppliers could use the digital images to help them plan deliveries, for just-in-time deliveries and to give an indication of how unloading of components and materials will work.

The buying department can keep an eye on the site so that it knows which materials have been bought and held.

Site security can make sure there are no intruders and can monitor the comings and goings of site personel, and keep an eye on the personal security of those on site.

The QS can use webcam evidence in delay and disruption disputes. Video film is permissible in court and a record of activities and pictorial evidence is said to be of greater value to judges and arbitrators, so could lead to lower legal bills.

The estimator can view how effective construction operations were on the job, and adjust plans for the next one accordingly.

The catch is that the technology is expensive, but the costs are falling as broadband becomes more affordable. You are looking at a cost of around £2,000 for the equipment and installation and a further £79 per month for a hosting service from a specialist company.

It’s an expensive way for a client to show off a new project, which is what the majority of webcams are used for. But it’s not such a big bill if it improves the efficiency of construction management.

There’s also the Big Brother factor to consider: people don’t want to be watched so it is important that cameras are installed with the full agreement of workers and their unions. Once more firms start using cameras, they will become as invisible as they are in other everyday locations. The next step will be to educate people in how to use them to manage construction better.