Construction is one of the most important economic activities in any country, but it is also one of the sectors with the highest rates of occupational accidents. The nature of work in this sector, which often involves collaboration among multiple companies and professionals, makes the coordination of business activities crucial to ensure the safety and health of all workers involved. In this context, Royal Decree 1627/1997 and Royal Decree 171/2004 establish a regulatory framework aimed at mitigating occupational risks in these environments.

The coordination of business activities is essential for creating a safe working environment. In construction, it is common for different companies to carry out tasks simultaneously, which increases the risk of accidents if interactions among the various parties are not properly managed.

An effective coordination approach should take into account:

• Risk identification: All companies must collaborate to identify potential risks on-site, including evaluating tasks performed simultaneously and recognizing specific hazards associated with each task.
• Protocols and procedures: Establishing clear protocols that define how activities will be carried out, who is responsible for each task, and how changes or incidents will be communicated.
• Training and awareness: Ensuring that all workers, regardless of the company they work for, are trained and aware of safety practices to foster a strong safety culture on-site.
• Periodic coordination meetings: Regular meetings among the companies involved are essential to review work progress, address issues, and adjust safety plans as necessary.

Beyond being a legal requirement, this approach is fundamental for preventing occupational accidents, which generate not only direct and immediate costs but also intangible losses that can significantly impact both the company and workers’ lives. Such losses include:

• Psychological impact: Workers who experience accidents may suffer lasting emotional and psychological effects, such as anxiety, depression, or post-traumatic stress. These effects impact not only the individual but also team performance and workplace atmosphere.
• Loss of productivity: Worker absence due to accidents can disrupt workflow and reduce overall productivity. Other employees may be overloaded with additional tasks, further decreasing efficiency.
• Reputational damage: Workplace accidents can harm a company’s image, leading to loss of contracts, difficulty attracting talent, and reduced client trust.
• Quality impacts: Increased pressure on workers after an accident can decrease the quality of task execution, resulting in rework and higher risk of future incidents.

The role of new technologies

The introduction of new technologies is enhancing the control and implementation of business activity coordination. Key examples include:

• Predictive risk monitoring: Using AI to analyze historical accident data and working conditions to identify patterns and predict when and where accidents might occur. This allows for preventive measures, such as increased monitoring in high-risk areas or rescheduling hazardous tasks.
• Augmented reality applications: Implementing AR technologies for worker training, enabling employees to visualize potential hazards in real time while performing specific tasks, improving learning and promoting greater safety awareness.
• AI-based safety management systems: Deploying AI-driven safety management systems to evaluate compliance with safety protocols in real time. These systems collect data from sensors and cameras to ensure safety regulations are followed, automatically alerting workers and supervisors to take corrective action when deviations occur.

Promoting a safety culture, facilitating communication, and ensuring that all workers are properly trained are essential steps for effective coordination. Furthermore, leveraging technologies such as artificial intelligence can significantly enhance safety efforts by providing tools for risk identification and proactive safety management on construction sites.