Artificial intelligence (AI) is transforming construction safety protocols, with major industry players Skanska, Turner Construction, and Balfour Beatty leading the charge. As part of Construction Safety Week 2026, these companies have highlighted their AI-driven initiatives that aim to reduce on-site accidents and improve safety training.
What Happened
Skanska has introduced its Safety Sidekick, a generative AI tool launched in 2025, designed to enhance safety planning by drawing from the company’s extensive environmental health and safety (EHS) resources, OSHA standards, and additional safety documentation. This AI tool helps project teams learn from previous incidents and improve future planning. Skanska ensures the accuracy and reliability of its AI outputs by implementing a vetting process with its EHS team to prevent potential errors or “hallucinations” from the AI.
Turner Construction has developed SafeT Coach, a generative AI tool built in collaboration with OpenAI and later transitioning to Google’s Gemini platform. This tool is trained on Turner’s EHS database and provides clear, actionable safety guidance to workers. It has already logged over 25,000 interactions, showcasing its practical utility in real-world scenarios. For instance, it assists superintendents by generating decision flow charts and safety checklists to facilitate safety discussions on-site.
Why It Matters for the AECM Industry
The adoption of AI in construction safety protocols marks a significant evolution in how safety is managed on sites. For project managers, engineers, and contractors, these AI tools offer the potential to drastically reduce the risk of accidents by providing timely and accurate safety information. This can lead to reduced downtime and lower insurance costs due to fewer workplace injuries. Additionally, AI offers a scalable solution that can be adapted across various projects, thus standardizing safety practices and compliance with regulatory requirements.
What's Next
Looking ahead, Skanska, Turner, and Balfour Beatty plan to continue refining their AI tools to enhance their predictive capabilities and expand their use cases. The industry should expect ongoing updates and iterations, especially as these companies gather more data and feedback from their deployments. Professionals in the AECM sector should monitor these developments closely, as these AI innovations will likely influence future safety regulations and standards.
Source: Construction Dive. Read the original story ->
