#United States #Schaumburg #Telematics #Construction Safety #Zurich North America

Advancements in Construction Safety by Zurich North America

During National Construction Safety Week, Zurich North America shines a spotlight on the importance of safety in the construction industry. This highlights the innovative approaches being employed, particularly through the use of telematics and data-driven risk solutions.

With the increasing safety challenges that accompany commercial vehicle operations on construction sites, Zurich is pioneering ways to improve real-time insights. The goal? To foster safer driving behaviors, decrease accident rates, and enhance overall operational efficiency. In a move aimed at equipping contractors with better tools, Zurich has launched a pilot program focusing on video telematics specifically designed for construction fleets. This initiative allows contractors to share vehicle performance data securely, facilitating a coaching system that enhances driving safety and enables more informed decisions in underwriting and risk management.

James Savage, the Head of Construction Casualty at Zurich North America, remarked, "Telematics has been a cornerstone in various industries, leading to lower incident rates and better driving habits. The construction industry also stands to gain from these technologies, especially given the alarming rise in vehicle-related accidents that contribute to workplace fatalities. Our focus is on ensuring that everyone in the industry can return home safely each night."

Utilizing advanced in-vehicle technology such as GPS, sensors, and video feeds, the telematics solutions gather critical data on vehicle operation. In an industry where motor vehicle incidents are one of the leading causes of serious injuries and deaths, the data gathered plays a crucial role in mitigating these risks. By identifying unsafe driving patterns, Zurich can offer timely and effective risk engineering support.

Zurich's telematics initiative is part of a comprehensive construction risk management strategy that incorporates underwriting, analytics, claims management, and field-based engineering solutions. Through Zurich Resilience Solutions, expert risk engineers work to merge this data with on-the-ground insights, leading to targeted behavioral coaching aimed at operational excellence and safety improvements.

This integration between engineers and underwriters results in a more nuanced approach to addressing the complexities of construction risks, ensuring that loss performance is continuously improving.

Beyond vehicular safety, Zurich's commitment extends to broader job site safety initiatives designed to protect workers. These include innovative visibility tools for monitoring job site conditions, engineering-based safety proposals, and proactive worker protection strategies. This reflects Zurich’s dedication to prevention and collaborative problem-solving within the construction sector.

Zurich's partnership with Arrowsight has been particularly impactful, implementing video-based safety coaching across extensive construction projects, including several data centers. The integration of Arrowsight's technology with on-site safety coaching has yielded remarkable outcomes, with earlier pilots in New York witnessing over a 50% reduction in worker compensation claims. Due to this success, Zurich expanded the deployment of this technology nationwide.

Doug Stohlman, Head of Construction Risk Engineering at Zurich Resilience Solutions, expressed the collective mission, stating, "Safety in construction requires a comprehensive ecosystem of solutions. By leveraging data, expertise, and industry insights, we are equipping construction professionals to confront significant risks while building a safer landscape going forward."

The ongoing telematics pilot program actively engages construction customers in data sharing, encouraging responsible governance and data usage. Hobie Bond, Head of IoT and Innovation for Zurich North America, emphasized the pivotal role of telematics, projecting further improvements in safety and claims outcomes as the program evolves.

Zurich North America's steadfast commitment to promoting safer jobsites, fleets, and workforce environments continues unabated during National Construction Safety Week and beyond. As they drive forward with innovative solutions aimed at revolutionizing construction safety, Zurich underscores its mission to support professionals in this essential industry. This essential commitment not only reflects Zurich’s advancements but also embodies a larger vision of creating a more secure future for all involved in the construction ecosystem.

About Zurich

Zurich U.S. is a leading provider of insurance and risk management services, focused on enhancing the resilience of businesses and individuals. Zurich serves a diverse clientele, including over 90% of Fortune 500 companies, employing around 9,000 professionals in the United States. The company's commitment to excellence in service has positioned it as one of the world's most trusted insurers. With a legacy spanning over 150 years, Zurich maintains a global presence across more than 200 markets, supporting innovative customer solutions and responsible environmental practices.