Irish construction workers will now be using an electronic ID system powered by mobile technology when they clock in to work every day.
Companies using this new system include Fleming Construction, Ballymore Properties, Castlethorn Construction, Michael McNamara & Co, Maplewood Construction, and PJ Walls.
This new electronic punch-in system will be powered by O2, using technology from their partner company INSERO.
All workers and visitors to sites will be given an ID card which is then read by a handheld barcode device.
With SiteIntell, all information including the timesheet and trade skill information is then transferred wirelessly over the O2 network to the INSERO control system.
The system keeps an up-to-date list of all Safe Pass holders on each site, with all users logging on electronically and in real-time. This is an EU Health and Safety requirement in the construction industry in case of accidents or emergencies.
“One of the key benefits is that there is no hardware or software installation necessary on site. In the construction industry, where site locations change all the time, this element is crucial for us,” said Damien Sheridan, IT and communications manager for Fleming Group.
“The solution can also be used for tracking subcontractor hours so that Fleming knows exactly how much time a subcontractor has worked on a particular site thus pin-pointing project costs much more accurately,” he said.
This tagging system will also be used for tracking deliveries to construction sites and confirming orders and logging delay.
Tony Byrne, business development director for INSERO, said that the new system should improve absenteeism by eliminating what he calls “buddy punching”, a practice where one construction worker clocks in for an absent co-worker.
Billy D’Arcy, head of business sales and services for O2 Ireland, said of their new service that it is an “example of the many ways in which mobile technology is evolving and assisting businesses of all types in streamlining their operations and increasing efficiency”.
By Marie Boran
