Skanska Introduces AI-Powered Safety Sidekick to Enhance Construction Site Safety Nationwide

Skanska Launches “Safety Sidekick” AI Tool to Enhance Job Site Safety Across the U.S. NEW YORK (BUSINESS WIRE) — Skanska, a prominent global construction and development company, has announced the launch of Safety Sidekick, an innovative AI-powered assistant aimed at revolutionizing job site safety. The tool is designed to provide immediate safety guidance to workers and leadership across Skanska's projects throughout the United States. Safety Sidekick consolidates Skanska’s Environmental, Health, and Safety (EHS) Manual, OSHA construction standards, and additional safety documentation into a single, user-friendly platform. This integration ensures that all relevant safety information is readily available, allowing users to quickly find the answers they need to maintain a safe working environment. According to Skanska, Safety Sidekick will address common challenges faced at job sites, such as navigating complex regulations and accessing critical safety data in real-time. The tool can answer questions about compliance, best practices, and specific procedures, helping to ensure that workers can make informed decisions on the fly. It also offers personalized training and safety checklists, which can be tailored to individual projects and roles. “Safety Sidekick represents a significant leap forward in our commitment to worker safety,” said Anders Danielsson, Skanska USA President and CEO. “By leveraging AI, we can provide instant, context-sensitive guidance that empowers our teams to work smarter and safer.” The AI assistant is built using advanced natural language processing (NLP) algorithms, which allow it to understand and respond to a wide range of queries. It can provide detailed explanations, step-by-step instructions, and even multimedia resources to help users better understand safety protocols. This capability is particularly valuable in an industry where clarity and precision are crucial. Safety Sidekick is not just a repository of information; it is an interactive tool that engages users through chat functions and voice commands. This makes it easy for workers to ask questions and receive immediate feedback, enhancing their ability to adhere to safety guidelines and preventing accidents before they occur. In addition to its role in safety, Safety Sidekick is expected to improve efficiency by reducing the time spent looking up information and training new employees. It can provide instant answers to frequently asked questions and offer real-time support during safety inspections, ensuring that processes are consistent and reliable. “Construction sites can be incredibly complex environments,” explained Sarah Johnson, Skanska’s Director of Health and Safety. “Safety Sidekick simplifies the process of adhering to safety standards, making it easier for everyone to focus on what matters most: completing projects safely and on time.” Initial testing of Safety Sidekick has been positive, with workers and supervisors reporting higher levels of satisfaction and increased confidence in their safety knowledge. Skanska plans to roll out the tool to all its U.S. construction projects over the next few months. The company also emphasizes the importance of continuous improvement and feedback. They encourage users to report any issues or suggestions for enhancement, which will be used to refine and update the AI assistant regularly. With the launch of Safety Sidekick, Skanska is setting a new standard in the construction industry by combining cutting-edge technology with robust safety practices. This initiative not only underscores Skanska’s dedication to worker safety but also demonstrates how AI can be effectively utilized to create safer and more efficient job sites.