Prevent Construction Accidents With a “SmartHat”

Can a smarter hat help prevent construction accidents? Duke engineers think it can. Engineers from Duke University developed a technology involving a microprocessor that is attached a construction hard hat (the "SmartHat"). Radio frequency identification technology will then pick up nearby signals from wireless transmitters inside construction machinary. As a construction worker wearing a SmartHat gets closer to construction equipment, their hat will beep with increasing frequency to warn them accordingly. The hat can distinguish between the machinary operated by the hat wearer and the rest of the construction site. This means that a construction worker needing to operate a crane is not going to hear beeps as he or she approaches the crane. The device can be set to beep at all near by equipment, or only when construction equipment is moving in the direction of the person wearing the SmartHat.

SmartHats are designed to prevent construction accidents with construction equipment - which should reduce the average number of deaths from this type of accident down from more than 800 annually.

Several construction companies are interested in the SmartHat device. Developers intend to improve the device further and make it smaller and fully integrated into the hard hat, rather than being a separate device like it is now.

If you or someone you love is involved in a NY construction accident with or without SmartHat devices in place, contact a Westchester construction accident attorney for advice and consultation on your potential case.




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