New data published by Dodge Construction Network, in partnership with Motive Inc., reveals that contractors still see significant impacts to their projects and businesses due to the operation and maintenance of their fleets of vehicles and equipment. The data comes from “The Safety on the Move: Automated Fleet Management and the Future of Safety for Contractors” e-book, available now.
Key findings include:
● Vehicles: Accidents and near-misses are reported by 57% of contractors. More than half find that these issues lead to productivity declines and increased insurance costs, while more than one third experience schedule delays and profitability declines.
● Equipment: While accidents and near misses for equipment are reported by fewer contractors (27%), they more frequently result in the negative impacts to productivity and schedule. In fact, 60% of those who experience them link them directly to a decline in profitability on their projects.
● Maintenance: 66% of contractors also experience safety issues due to the need for improved fleet maintenance, including both vehicles and equipment.
“Most contractors make jobsite safety a top priority, and they understand its critical role in the success of their projects,” said Steve Jones, senior director of industry insights research at Dodge Construction Network. “But these findings make it clear that vehicle and equipment operation and maintenance need to be a bigger part of the safety conversation than they are now.”
The study also reveals a notable opportunity for contractors to automate how they track and manage their fleet safety. The findings show that while 76% of contractors track vehicle safety and 62% track driver behavior, most rely on paper forms or spreadsheets to do so. Only one quarter (25%) automate data gathering on driver behavior, and even fewer (18%) automate their fleet safety tracking.
The same is true for fleet maintenance, with only 25% using automation or AI to help them manage that process. However, the study reveals that 80% of those using technology for that process find that it improves safety on their projects.
“Too often, safety is seen as a compliance requirement and not what it really is: a key element of a company’s operations that benefits the bottom line, and more importantly protects people, property and reputation,” says Abhishek Gupta, vice president of Product for Fleet Management at Motive. “The improved working conditions, efficiency, and cost savings that come with making safety a priority mean it should be a primary consideration for any business operating in the physical economy.”