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Communicating on a construction site can be a challenge, thanks to the inherent noise and long distances between workers. That's why choosing the right communication tool can make a big difference. Knowing what to look for and what options are available are key to choosing the best technology.
Importance
The nature of construction means that you need to communicate with people who are out of voice range.
Not hearing or mishearing can lead to costly and dangerous mistakes, so the communication technology a company uses can strongly affect the safety of its job site.
Choosing the Best Tech
Not all communication technology is equal in passing along information easily and accurately.
Let's look at the key considerations in comparing communication systems for construction.
Immediacy: Communication should be immediate. A delay of even a few seconds can make the difference in placing a load accurately or in avoiding an accident.
Reliability: Most importantly, communication technology needs to be reliable. If it only works son1eti1nes or has short battery life, there's the possibility of it not working when you need it most.
Easy to Understand: Beyond being reliable, one of the most important aspects of a good communication technology choice is that it’s easy to understand.
Mistakes and miscommunication are most likely when voices are garbled, and the wrong communication device can be almost impossible for people with any degree of hearing challenge to understand.
Noise-Cancelling Tech
Noise cancellation technology helps keep users safe by canceling out distracting external noises so they understand the vital communication better.
Noise-cancelling headphones work better than noise-reducing headphones because they detect noise outside the headphones and then create an opposite noise to cancel it.
General noise reduction can also help prevent hearing loss by reducing environmental construction noises.
Range: Effective communication technology should let you communicate across a room, across a building, between floors, and over a long outdoor distance.
If a system drops communication when obstacles are in the way or over reasonable distances, it’s not going to be useful.
Size: It's best to go with an option that's smaller, less bulky, and convenient to carry.
Cost: An inexpensive system that does the job often fits better into budgets.
Options
Here are some of the best ways for a crew to stay connected on site.
Radios have been the historical choice for construction communication. They're fairly immediate, reliable, and inexpensive.
However they can have drawbacks.
• Users have to wait their turn to talk.
• Static can limit comprehension.
• They're bulky.
• They have a limited range.
Cellular telephones have started to replace radios in some cases. They are easier to carry than radios, easier to hear, and have a wider range.
However, cell phones have downsides, too. Though most people now have personal cell phones, they don't necessarily want to give out their personal phone numbers for business.
Thus, it's best for construction companies to provide company cell phones. However, they're expensive to buy and require a monthly usage fee.
Also using them requires everyone to carry one cell phone for personal use and another one for business.
VoIP (Voice over Internet Protocol) allows voice conversations over internet networks. It lets workers communicate directly through a computer, VoIP phone, or another device, like a headset.
Many construction companies are switching to VoIP headsets with built-in microphones because they offer advantages over radio and cellular communication:
• They're hands free, so work can coincide with conversation.
• They are wireless, so there aren't any cords to get tangled in machinery.
• Many use noise-cancelling technology.
• Continuous connection.
• They're comfortable to wear, even for a long time.
• It's easier for clear communication.
• They aren't bulky on a belt or in a pocket.
• They can work with your internet connection or smartphone witl1 a low-cost
VoIP service plan
VoIP headsets are especially useful for construction because they work in a building with wireless internet service or outdoors through a cell-phone app.
Users get all the advantages and safety of noise-cancelling headphones as well as instant, clear communication.
That makes their work environment even safer.
While there are several communication choices in a construction environment, VoIP has become the frontrunner. It solves many communication problems and enhances construction safety for all.
