Construction Safety: A Tech Toolbox Talk

Peggy Smedley talks about Construction Safety Week and National Safety Stand-Down to Prevent Falls Week, sharing the objectives for these initiatives. She explains where this culture of safety must start, highlighting the importance of everyone being involved to ensure greater safety. She also: Shares the startling statistics about how many construction workers die on the job. Gives her own toolbox talk, giving some examples of how technology can help improve safety. Digs into one specific case study that demonstrates how a company is taking action to protect workers using artificial intelligence. peggysmedleyshow.com  (5/6/25 - 919) What You Might Have Missed:  Safety: One-Stop Shop Gen AI in Construction and Infrastructure A Safety-First Culture IoT, Internet of Things, Peggy Smedley, artificial intelligence, machine learning, big data, digital transformation, cybersecurity, 5G, cloud, sustainability, future of work, podcast, safety This episode is available on all major streaming platforms. If you enjoyed this segment, please consider leaving a review on Apple Podcasts.

Peggy Smedley and Yung Shin, Donald A. and Nancy G. Roach distinguished professor of advanced manufacturing, Purdue University, talk about additive manufacturing and why it has been getting so much global attention. He describes additive manufacturing, explaining how it works and how it can form 3D parts and 3D objects. They also discuss: Why it is getting so much hype today. The applications that are coming out of additive manufacturing. How this is impacting education. engineering.purdue.edu/ManLab  (5/6/25 - 919) What You Might Have Missed:  The Future of Manufacturing Is Smart All about Additive Manufacturing IoT, Internet of Things, Peggy Smedley, artificial intelligence, machine learning, big data, digital transformation, cybersecurity, 5G, cloud, sustainability, future of work, podcast, Yung Shin, Purdue University, safety This episode is available on all major streaming platforms. If you enjoyed this segment, please consider leaving a review on Apple Podcasts.

Peggy Smedley and Brian Cury, CEO and founder, EarthCam, talk about jobsite innovations, narrowing in on how technology such as AI (artificial intelligence) can help improve construction safety. He says it used to be all about making beautiful photos, but now it is about the information in the photos. They also discuss: The history of construction cameras and the rise of AI in the last decade. How camera technology can help improve safety procedures on the jobsite. How EarthCam developed the AI technology itself—and the importance of the service and the software. earthcam.net/software earthcam.net/security (5/6/25 - 919) What You Might Have Missed:  Construction Worker of the Future Construction Haves and Have-Nots The Language of Construction IoT, Internet of Things, Peggy Smedley, artificial intelligence, machine learning, big data, digital transformation, cybersecurity, 5G, cloud, sustainability, future of work, podcast, Brian Cury, EarthCam, safety This episode is available on all major streaming platforms. If you enjoyed this segment, please consider leaving a review on Apple Podcasts.  

Peggy talks about how technology can help with distracted driving, sharing some examples. She talks about the opportunities to improve our behavior in the car, all with the help of new technologies. She also discusses: How many drivers report being distracted by their personal mobile devices. Three technologies that can help. Her thoughts on what needs to happen next to reduce the number of deaths on the road. peggysmedleyshow.com  (4/29/25 - 918) What You Might Have Missed:  Autonomous Vehicles and Distracted Driving Road Safety for the Future Driving Insights IoT, Internet of Things, Peggy Smedley, artificial intelligence, machine learning, big data, digital transformation, cybersecurity, blockchain, 5G, cloud, sustainability, future of work, podcast This episode is available on all major streaming platforms. If you enjoyed this segment, please consider leaving a review on Apple Podcasts.

Peggy Smedley and Julia Kite-Laidlaw, senior program manager, Road To Zero, National Safety Council, talk about how prevalent distracted driving is today. She says new data out reports that 3,275 people died in distraction-related crashes in 2023, which is 8% of all road deaths in the United States, and if you do the math it comes to about nine people per day.  They also discuss: Who is really responsible for safety in cars. Regulations and the impact they have on distracted driving. How Minnesota is using AI to address distracted driving. nsc.org  (4/29/25 - 918) What You Might Have Missed:  Stay Engaged on the Road Distracted Driving Syndrome Driving Awareness IoT, Internet of Things, Peggy Smedley, artificial intelligence, machine learning, big data, digital transformation, cybersecurity, blockchain, 5G, cloud, sustainability, future of work, podcast, Julia Kite-Laidlaw, National Safety Council This episode is available on all major streaming platforms. If you enjoyed this segment, please consider leaving a review on Apple Podcasts.

Peggy Smedley and Mehri Mohebbi, program director, Transportation Equity Program, University of Florida Transportation Institute, discuss distracted driving risk from an equity perspective, sharing which populations are at the most risk for injuries. She says generally the numbers at the federal level hid the sharp local spike, and in low-income corridors, phone-related crashes cluster 40% above the metro average. They also discuss: Two specific examples of roadway design and how it can help us. The importance of training programs/exercises and audits. Key lessons learned and going to the next level. transportation.institute.ufl.edu  (4/29/25 - 918) What You Might Have Missed:  Breaking Bad Driving Habits Distracted Driving: The New Epidemic A Discussion about Distracted Driving IoT, Internet of Things, Peggy Smedley, artificial intelligence, machine learning, big data, digital transformation, cybersecurity, blockchain, 5G, cloud, sustainability, future of work, podcast, Mehri Mohebbi, University of Florida Transportation Institute This episode is available on all major streaming platforms. If you enjoyed this segment, please consider leaving a review on Apple Podcasts.

Peggy talks about what the insurance companies and other organizations have to say about the impact of distracted driving on auto insurance. She says it is not very consistent across the board, with different states taking different actions and different insurance companies having different tools and resources available. She also discusses: The total estimated cost of all motor vehicle crashes in the United States—and how much distracted driving accounts for. The rules surrounding texting and driving from state to state, with a closer look at one state as an example. What the insurance companies are saying and doing about distracted driving—and how technology comes into play. peggysmedleyshow.com  (4/22/25 - 917) What You Might Have Missed:  Distracted Driving: 1960s to Present Day Dangerous Distractions on the Road A Decade of Distracted Driving IoT, Internet of Things, Peggy Smedley, artificial intelligence, machine learning, big data, digital transformation, cybersecurity, blockchain, 5G, cloud, sustainability, future of work, podcast This episode is available on all major streaming platforms. If you enjoyed this segment, please consider leaving a review on Apple Podcasts.

Peggy Smedley and Paul Atchley, professor, Dept. of Psychology, University of South Florida, talk about some of the latest news on traffic statistics and the role distracted driving is playing in these numbers. He says the statistics change year over year, but the trends have not been positive. They also discuss: Why people continue to engage in these behaviors even though they will tell you these behaviors are very risky. Distracted driving trends by region during the pandemic and what happens after fatal accidents occur. Examples of safety records of companies that prohibit drivers from using their phones while driving—and what actually happens to productivity when bans go in place. usf.edu/arts-sciences/departments/psychology  (4/22/25 - 917) What You Might Have Missed:  The Science behind Distracted Driving Four Pillars for Distracted Driving Are You a Super Tasker? IoT, Internet of Things, Peggy Smedley, artificial intelligence, machine learning, big data, digital transformation, cybersecurity, blockchain, 5G, cloud, sustainability, future of work, podcast, Paul Atchley, University of South Florida This episode is available on all major streaming platforms. If you enjoyed this segment, please consider leaving a review on Apple Podcasts.

Peggy Smedley and Dan McGehee, professor of engineering, medicine, public health and director of the Driving Safety Research Institute, University of Iowa, talk about distracted driving research. He says it is an important thing more than ever. They also discuss: The history of distracted driving in vehicles. The physiological changes that happen with smartphones. The most dangerous type of distraction and who is ultimately responsible. dsri.uiowa.edu  (4/22/25 - 917) What You Might Have Missed:  The Reality of Distracted Driving in 2025 Reducing Distraction The State of Distracted Driving IoT, Internet of Things, Peggy Smedley, artificial intelligence, machine learning, big data, digital transformation, cybersecurity, blockchain, 5G, cloud, sustainability, future of work, podcast, Dan McGehee, Driving Safety Research Institute, University of Iowa This episode is available on all major streaming platforms. If you enjoyed this segment, please consider leaving a review on Apple Podcasts.    

The market is changing! Peggy talks about everything we need to know for supply chains. She says we must make, build, and grow together, while also innovating and considering how the next generation will lead the way. She also discusses: A historical perspective. Present-day data. How supply chains can prepare for a stronger tomorrow. peggysmedleyshow.com  (4/15/25 - 916) What You Might Have Missed: The Impact of Tariffs on Construction Insights on Home and Material Costs Steel: A More Resilient Future IoT, Internet of Things, Peggy Smedley, artificial intelligence, machine learning, big data, digital transformation, cybersecurity, blockchain, 5G, cloud, sustainability, future of work, podcast This episode is available on all major streaming platforms. If you enjoyed this segment, please consider leaving a review on Apple Podcasts.