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In a far-reaching question and answer panel discussion at the recent Canadian Concrete Expo in Mississauga, Ont., three speakers from the fields of technology, equipment and regulation focused on innovations in scaffolding and the future of safe worker access at heights.

Sponsored by the Access Association of Canada (AAC), the seminar covered issues such as artificial intelligence, virtual reality training, sustainability and regulation. It was moderated by Metalogics insides sales representative Amanda Farrugia who prompted the panel and the audience with a number of questions on those topics.

In her first question Farrugia asked Hinton Access Solutions chief executive officer and construction innovation leader Brandon Marton for his perspective on how AI is reshaping performance, efficiency, accuracy and trust in scaffold planning and execution.

“Artificial intelligence makes our (working) lives easier. It keeps us organized,” he replied.

Noting the AAC is a supporter of Realistic Immersive Safety Education — which brings safety education into immersive VR environments — her follow up question concerned the direction immersive technologies is changing how workers, both new entrants and experienced tradespeople, learn, retain and apply scaffold safety skills.

“Immersive technology training simulates real-life work scenarios without the potentially dangerous conditions onsite training poses,” said Marton.

Not embracing this technology might be akin to construction and design professionals who still rely on calculators and paper drawings, he suggested.

Judging by the results of a QR code/question posed by Farrugia, however, the audience seemed to have some reservations about virtual training.

The question asked was: Would you be willing to use virtual training as a training tool for scaffold and safety hazard training?

Of the responses received, 56 per cent indicated a preference for an initial trial pilot.

Only eight per cent answered: “Yes, immediately.”

Two questions were directed to Layher Scaffolding branch manager Ryan Freedman, the first of which was focused on the hardware and component innovations manufacturers are delivering that will change how scaffolds are built, used and maintained.

As one example, Freedman said a number of manufacturers are making aluminum beams and girders with high load capabilities and reduced weights. That reduces the amount of ground space needed for scaffolding which, in turn, increases the safety of sites. Noting there is often not much room for scaffolding erection equipment, the beams and girders can also be used for bridge repairs, he said.

“How are manufacturers utilizing sustainability in scaffold design?” was the moderator’s second question.

In response, Freedman suggested there is a perception scaffolding is manufactured from recycled materials and therefore is sustainable. But sustainability extends beyond that limited focus. Other factors should be considered such as where did the raw materials for the structure come from.

“What’s the energy source of the buildings?  What are the sound regulations, and overall, how do the regulations in the manufacturing country compare to where the end product is used?”

A somewhat frank answer was provided when the third panellist was asked about the challenges and opportunities regulators faced to keep pace with rapid  technological change in scaffolding and access.

“The challenges include the inability to keep up with technology,” said EllisDon’s regional health, safety and environment manager for southwestern and northern Ontario, Christian Bell.

From a regulatory standpoint, some legislation is decades old and Ontario government doesn’t have the ability to immediately change the wording of that legislation just because a manufacturer has introduced an innovation, said Bell.

But there are opportunities for potential collaboration with the AAC and other groups who are on the cutting edge of technology.

The Ministry of Labour, Training and Skills Development has been very open about discussing challenges and areas improvement, said Bell, who worked for the ministry for a number of years.