Case Study
Benefits
Reduce rework and improve quality
Improve safety compliance through active monitoring
Lower risks and liability if incidents occur
Secure the site after-hours
Validate work and claims
The Challenge
Earning team trust and gaining buy-in for cameras
When Jeffrey Michels, a long-time project manager with a design/build group first heard his employer was going to use construction cameras, he thought “Oh great, another Big Brother moment.” His superintendents felt the same way. The cameras, he explained, seemed like they’d be used to micromanage workers. Teams were worried about being penalized for taking breaks or talking while on the job.
Instead, Michels learned, the cameras became a source of truth and a way to positively impact safety.
The Solution
Understanding cameras as an overall benefit
“We had a worker who was hurt on the site and so we used the cameras to review what precautions were or were not taken. We were able to show who was responsible, which protected us from a lot of liability.” Michels said.
Using the cameras became a way to support site safety managers and superintendents walking the jobsite. Having the recorded footage became a positive way to highlight opportunities for improvement.
The Implementation
Documentation for process improvement
The clarity of the cameras helped identify specifics and keep a closer eye on the use of personal-protective equipment.
“I was able to zoom in on a situation, highlight potential risks in the photo and share it with the right people. It was a way to enforce our expectations for safety and allowed us to provide an action plan for improvement,” said Michels.
Having unbiased documentation on hand helped Michels improve his relationships with clients by helping catch errors early. In an industry where staying on time and under budget is key; being able to reduce rework turns into thousands of dollars of savings.
The Results
Happier clients, safer projects, easier site management
“My clients were happy that we were watching their back and working to save them money by monitoring progress with the cameras. The crew doesn’t want to have to redo something, and neither does the client,” said Michels. “Having a camera, I can check in and ensure things are going according to plan.”
For Michels, OxBlue became a reliable way to stay connected to the jobsite. From presenting real-time visuals during status meetings, to validating labor hours and contract agreements, construction cameras ultimately became an invaluable tool of support.
“Four years ago I didn’t see the value of cameras, now I see it as a positive that makes the job safer, helps people be more aware of their surroundings and it benefits the project as a whole,” said Michels. “It’s not a “gotcha”, it’s a resource to help.”
