Digital drive to keep workers safe on Parliament refurb

Experts at?Heriot-Watt University?are being drafted-in to help protect construction workers on the restoration and renewal of the Palace of Westminster project.

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… use technology to rehearse difficult construction challenges…

Construction Enquirer writes:

Restoration Programme chiefs overseeing the £4-6bn scheme have awarded the university?£75,000?funding to?develop?industry-leading?construction approaches?to safeguard those working on the project in unique conditions.

Researchers will use technology to rehearse difficult construction challenges?to make sure they are not dangerous for workers or damaging to the building.

Trials will be held on existing construction projects to test ideas like digital safety scenarios.

University project lead Professor?Guy?Walker said:?“The Palace of Westminster couldn’t be further from a new-build project where everything can be tightly controlled and specified, including the people working on site.

“Instead,?there will be a high reliance on skill and the ability of construction teams to adapt to changing circumstances.

“We want to create?an environment where the most natural behaviour is also the safest and most efficient.

“With technology we can rehearse construction activities?in safety.

“Designers, engineers and?construction?workers?can sit together in a room and use a digital platform to run scenario tests.

“We can rehearse ways to work better …”

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