Workers comp claims plummet after Zurich NA, Arrowsight pilot program

Revolutionizing Workplace Safety: How Video Analytics Are Reducing Workers’ Compensation Claims

The construction industry has long been plagued by high rates of workplace injuries and fatalities, resulting in significant workers’ compensation claims and costs. However, a new technology is changing the game by leveraging video analytics and coaching to improve safety on job sites. Arrowsight, a safety technology company, has developed a system that uses specialty cameras to monitor worker behavior and provide feedback and training to reduce risks.

In a recent pilot program, Zurich North America, a leading insurer, partnered with Arrowsight to implement video analytics and coaching on nine large-scale construction sites in New York City. The results were staggering, with a more than 70% reduction in workers’ compensation claims and a near elimination of racketeering charges. This success has led Zurich to announce that it will only insure construction wrap-up projects that have installed Arrowsight’s video analytics and coaching technology.

How It Works

Arrowsight’s system uses fixed-point cameras that are moveable, battery-powered, and cell-enabled, allowing them to operate without electricity or internet. These cameras capture high-risk work activities, such as workers failing to tie into safety harnesses or scrambling under suspended loads. The footage is then flagged by a team and reviewed by safety supervisors, who provide feedback and coaching to workers. This proactive approach has increased worker safety compliance rates from around 70% to 97% to 100% in many cases.

The technology has also been successfully implemented in other industries, including healthcare and meatpacking. However, the construction industry has seen particularly dramatic results, with one civil construction company, Posillico Civil, reducing its Experience Modification Rate (EMR) from 0.65 to 0.25 after working with Arrowsight. This significant reduction in EMR has resulted in lower workers’ compensation premiums and a safer work environment.

A New Standard for Workplace Safety

The success of Arrowsight’s technology has set a new standard for workplace safety in the construction industry. With insurers like Zurich and Chubb partnering with Arrowsight, the use of video analytics and coaching is becoming increasingly widespread. As Adam Aronson, founder and CEO of Arrowsight, noted, “We have a whole program where we’re using civil engineers overnight to kind of look at all these high-risk work activities and then provide feedback, kind of coaching clips just like you would see on Sports Center to help the supervisors coach the workers to avoid taking these kinds of risks.” This innovative approach is revolutionizing the way workplace safety is managed and is likely to have a lasting impact on the construction industry.

As the construction industry continues to evolve, it is clear that technology will play an increasingly important role in improving workplace safety. With the use of video analytics and coaching, construction companies can reduce the risk of injuries and fatalities, lower workers’ compensation claims, and create a safer work environment. As Tobias Cushing, Zurich’s head of construction, stated, “The dramatic results underscore the power of combining human insight with technology to drive measurable change.” This powerful combination is set to transform the construction industry and make it a safer and more secure place for workers.