The Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare has presented key measures for safety and health measures in construction work for the fiscal year 2026 (Reiwa 8). There is still a strong demand for the eradication of serious labor accidents and the improvement of the working environment associated with "work style reform." This article summarizes and explains the major changes faced by clients and contractors, as well as specific measures that should be implemented on-site.

Promoting and advancing more environmentally friendly rough terrain cranes ◆ Changing plans to evolve into environmentally responsive construction machinery Kato Works Co., Ltd. announced on May 1 that it will partially change its plans for the "Hybrid Rafter," which is currently under development, to further reduce CO2 emissions. Consequently, the sales launch originally scheduled for spring 2024 will also be postponed. *For more details, please check the related product information below.

The safety management solution "Worker Connect" displays the locations of workers captured by beacons and GPS on a map. ◆ Enables rapid response to unforeseen circumstances On May 2, 2024, Senseway Inc. (hereinafter referred to as Senseway) announced the addition of a map display feature for workers to its safety management solution "Worker Connect," which supports the health management and safety assurance of workers. With this feature, the location of workers can be easily identified, allowing for a rapid response in the event of unforeseen circumstances. *For more information, please refer to the related product information below.

Significantly reduce model creation time! A BIM system specialized for heavy temporary construction ◆ Add-on for Revit 2022 to streamline designers' work Marufuji Sheet Pile Co., Ltd. announced on May 9 that it will begin operating its original BIM system "M-craft," specialized for heavy temporary construction, starting April 15, 2024. "M-craft" is a program added to Revit 2022 that can streamline drafting work compared to 2D CAD. With its bulk placement function for various components and annotations, it allows for a significant reduction in model creation time and enables the creation of high-precision models. Additionally, anyone can create a model that meets a passing standard without relying on experience. The family data is optimized for heavy temporary construction, and a wide range of data is available, including construction machinery (RG pile drivers, three-point pile drivers, telescopic cranes), temporary bridges (truss type and plate girder type land crosses), and earth retention materials (spherical adjusters, belly displacement stops, small fireproof blocks), among others. *For more information, please check the related product information below.

An app that matches surplus construction materials from construction sites with construction businesses that need them, facilitating reuse. ◆ Matching "surplus" and "needed" On May 8, 2024, Tom Housing Co., Ltd. announced the launch of its service "Amatta," which matches the "surplus" and "needed" construction materials among construction businesses. The company aims to solve the waste and scrap issues in the construction industry with the mission of "using up all construction materials without discarding them," contributing to the achievement of the SDGs. *For more details, please check the related product information below.

Optimizing work productivity with user-friendliness equipped with the latest technology ◆ Comprehensive solution for construction surveying work Leica Geosystems announced on May 8 the release of a field controller that serves as a comprehensive solution for construction surveying work. The controller is the "Leica iCON CC180" equipped with an Intel(R) 12th generation high-performance processor. It features a highly visible 8-inch LCD display that allows touch operation with wet fingers, gloves, or a stylus. *For more information, please check the related product information below.

A base where you can experience the future of the construction industry, addressing challenges such as labor shortages and promoting DX. ◆ A research and development base aimed at solving challenges in the construction industry has opened. Takamiya Co., Ltd. announced on May 15 that it will open the "Innovation Hub" within its research and development base "Takamiya Lab. West," aimed at solving challenges in the construction industry, in mid-September. The company is a comprehensive platform for temporary equipment, developing, manufacturing, selling, and renting next-generation scaffolding systems called the "Iq System," aimed at improving productivity on construction sites. In the fiscal year 2023, it is working on solutions to improve efficiency on construction sites and promote DX by announcing a new business model that combines temporary equipment and DX called the "Takamiya Platform." *For more information, please check the related product information below.

New features added to "AmiVoice Rebar TORUZO" significantly improve the efficiency of construction photography operations ◆ Launch of "AmiVoice Photo TORUZO" Advanced Media Inc. will release the photo management app "AmiVoice Photo TORUZO" on May 27, which incorporates new features into the existing "AmiVoice Rebar TORUZO." The app allows for easy operation of capturing and managing necessary photos for construction projects from a tablet device, greatly enhancing the efficiency of related tasks. *For more information, please check the related product information below.

Shortening the scaffolding setup for bridge inspections from the front to the location, achieving improved safety and efficiency. ◆ Also listed in the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism's "Inspection Support Technology Performance Catalog" IXIS Co., Ltd. announced that its bridge inspection lower flange gripping image acquisition device "Turrets" has been registered with the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism's "NETIS" (New Technology Information System) as of April 26. This device is also included in the Ministry's "Inspection Support Technology Performance Catalog." *For more information, please check the related product information below.

To address the labor shortage in the construction industry, we are nurturing employees from the ground up. ◆ Learning the fundamental knowledge as a construction engineer TechnoCom Co., Ltd., a technical staffing company, held the opening ceremony for the third session of the "Construction Manager Training Course" on May 7. The third cohort of the "Construction Manager Training Course" consists of 13 participants, including 7 men and 6 women. They will learn fundamental knowledge as construction engineers, such as CAD and surveying, with the goal of working as assistant site supervisors. The course content includes understanding blueprints, acquiring surveying and CAD skills, project management, quality control, safety management, legal training on construction industry laws, labor standards laws, and road traffic laws, as well as learning specialized terminology and business skills. The duration is 5 months, and participants will receive a salary during the training period as full-time employees of TechnoCom. *For more details, please check the related product information below.

Automation of labor-intensive rebar modeling to streamline operations in the construction industry ◆ Easing rebar work and reducing design review man-hours by 90% On May 23, Arent Co., Ltd. announced that CRESS FEED Co., Ltd. has adopted its "Lightning BIM Automatic Rebar." "Lightning BIM Automatic Rebar" is an Autodesk Revit add-in software that automates and accelerates each step of the time-consuming rebar design process. By instantly generating complex rebar models, it significantly reduces the time spent on manual work, achieving a 90% reduction in traditional design review man-hours. Additionally, it combines high precision with ease of use, allowing less experienced engineers to produce high-quality designs. Using this software not only shortens the time for construction projects but also contributes to cost reduction and environmental impact reduction, promoting efficiency and sustainability. *For more information, please check the related product information below.

Permanently save on-site shooting footage by project and effectively utilize it as construction records. ◆ Assetization of shooting footage becomes possible Pictogram Co., Ltd. announced on May 20 that it will provide a "Site Archive" feature for its cloud storage service "Connect Camera," which captures fixed-point camera footage of construction sites. With this feature, footage from Connect Camera will be automatically saved to the cloud on a project basis, allowing for efficient permanent storage of construction records. There have been calls for effective utilization of Connect Camera footage, and with this new feature, the shooting footage can be assetized and utilized effectively without waste. *For more details, please check the related product information below.

Smooth creation of construction management diagrams is now possible, leading to reduced working hours and improved work efficiency. ◆ Until now, conversion of BAIAS data was necessary. Ecomott Co., Ltd. and GRIFFY Co., Ltd. will collaborate starting May 22 to integrate Fukui Computer Co., Ltd.'s civil engineering construction management system "EX-TREND Musashi" with the rebar inspection AR system "BAIAS(R)" (hereinafter referred to as BAIAS*). BAIAS is a system that utilizes the LiDAR sensor and camera of the iPad Pro to enable rebar inspection of reinforced concrete structures with just one person, significantly improving work efficiency. Previously, data measured by BAIAS was output in a proprietary format, necessitating conversion to the construction management diagrams to be submitted to the client. *For more details, please refer to the related product information below.

Solving Various Challenges in the Construction Industry with BIM ◆ Achieving Reduction of Labor Burden on Site through BIM Utilization Mitani Sangyo Co., Ltd. announced on May 16 that it has received a subsidy for the Takano Home Ishikawa Branch New Construction Project, a joint venture with Takano Construction Co., Ltd., under the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism's Building BIM Acceleration Project for fiscal years 2022-2023. The company states that by utilizing BIM in this project, it has achieved a common understanding between the client and contractor from the design stage and minimized rework during construction, thereby reducing the labor burden on site. *For more information, please check the related product information below.

Contributing to business efficiency and productivity improvement while complying with overtime labor regulations ◆ Eligible for additional points in construction performance evaluation Safie Inc.'s outdoor cloud recording cameras "Safie GO 360" and "Safie GO PTZ AI" were registered in the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism's new technology information provision system "NETIS" on May 20. As a result, the use of both cameras in public works will be eligible for additional points in the construction performance evaluation. *For more information, please check the related product information below.

"Scaffolding Column" from a long-established temporary equipment manufacturer with over 70 years of history At Chuo Built Industry, we provide accurate knowledge and information about scaffolding to contribute to safety and efficiency at construction sites. Please use this for knowledge reinforcement, self-improvement, and in-house training. <What is the No-Scaffold Method? Explanation of Situations Where It Is Used and Its Advantages and Disadvantages> If you are considering repairing the exterior walls but are struggling because you cannot set up scaffolding due to the close proximity of neighboring buildings, you might want to consider the no-scaffold method as one of the recommended scaffolding techniques. In this article, we will explain the situations in which the no-scaffold method is used, as well as its advantages and disadvantages. By reading this article, you will be able to consider the no-scaffold method as an option while being mindful of the impact on neighbors. Please see below for the continuation.

Streamlining the Construction and Civil Engineering Industry! Introducing Surveying Solutions Easily Usable on Site ◆ Utilizing Drones for In-House Surveying Operations Aerosense Inc. announced on May 2 that it will exhibit at the "6th Construction and Surveying Productivity Improvement Expo (CSPI-EXPO 2024)" to be held at Makuhari Messe (Event dates: May 22-24). At this exhibition, the company will showcase and introduce surveying solutions utilizing drones that can be easily used on site, contributing to the streamlining of the construction and civil engineering industry and the in-house execution of surveying operations. Their booth will be located at area 10-64 in Exhibition Hall 3. *For more details, please check the related product information below.

"Scaffolding Column" from a long-established temporary equipment manufacturer with over 70 years of history At Chuo Built Industry, we provide accurate knowledge and information about scaffolding to contribute to safety and efficiency at construction sites. Please use this for knowledge reinforcement, self-improvement, and in-house training. <What is a Long Span Construction Elevator? Explaining the Differences from Construction Lifts and Installation Standards> You may hear the term "long span construction elevator" at construction sites, but do you know what roles it plays and what installation standards it has? By understanding the installation standards for long span construction elevators, you can improve not only the workability on site but also safety. In this article, we will explain the differences between long span construction elevators and construction lifts, as well as the installation standards. By reading this article, you will gain an understanding of the installation rules for long span construction elevators and aim to enhance workability and safety on site. Please see below for more.

【Construction Site Problem Solving】Brightening Dark 360-Degree Images with AI! "RICOH 360 Premium Package" Now Includes "Dark Scene Mode" ◆ Enhancement of RICOH 360 Features Using "Dark Scene Mode" Ricoh announced on April 16 the launch of a new feature called "Dark Scene Mode," which brightens 360-degree images taken in dark locations. This feature will be available as an option for media management in the "RICOH 360 Premium Package." "Dark Scene Mode" utilizes AI technology to provide image correction capabilities, allowing users to understand situations clearly with bright and clear images even in dark environments. *For more information, please check the related product information below.

CuboRex and Daiwa House Industry Conduct Joint Experiment to Demonstrate Efficiency Improvement in Transportation Work with Electric Unicycles ◆ Demonstration Experiment Using the "Unicycle Electrification Kit E-cat kit2" On April 16, 2024, CuboRex Co., Ltd. (hereinafter referred to as CuboRex) and Daiwa House Industry Co., Ltd. (hereinafter referred to as Daiwa House Industry) announced that they conducted a demonstration experiment to improve the efficiency of transportation work at construction sites using electric unicycles. At a construction site ordered by Daiwa House Industry, they are comparing and evaluating unicycles equipped with CuboRex's "Unicycle Electrification Kit E-cat kit2" against standard unicycles. *For more information, please check the related product information below.

Significant efficiency improvements and quality enhancements in inspection and diagnostic work using smartphones and AI ◆ Digitizing inspection and diagnostic work On April 16, IHI Corporation, IHI Infrastructure Systems Corporation, and IHI Infrastructure Construction Corporation announced the development and launch of a tool to support inspection and diagnostic work for infrastructure structures such as bridges. Regular inspections of road structures like bridges are mandated by law, but there has been a demand for digital transformation (DX) in the inspection and diagnostic field due to a shortage of technicians. *For more details, please check the related product information below.

Achieving safe inspections at construction sites, contributing to work efficiency and cost reduction ◆Safety measures for inspection work Blue Innovation Co., Ltd. announced on April 16 that the indoor inspection spherical drone "ELIOS 3" has been introduced to Shimizu Corporation (hereinafter referred to as Shimizu Corporation). At Shimizu Corporation's construction sites, inspections before the completion of construction and post-construction inspection work are carried out, but the locations for these tasks include underground pits that pose a risk of oxygen deficiency and high places that require scaffolding. As a safety measure for these hazardous inspection tasks, Shimizu Corporation has been focusing on drones for some time and has been considering in-house development. However, in underground pits where GNSS and compass signals cannot reach, even professional drone pilots have difficulty achieving stable flight, making inspections with drones challenging. *For more information, please refer to the related product information below.

"Scaffolding Column" from a long-established temporary equipment manufacturer with over 70 years of experience At Chuo Built Industry, we provide accurate knowledge and information about scaffolding to contribute to safety and efficiency at construction sites. Please use this for knowledge reinforcement, self-improvement, and in-house training. <What is the safety factor of temporary equipment? Explanation of how to calculate it and its legal basis> Do you know what a safety factor is? The safety factor is crucial for the safe use of temporary equipment (scaffolding materials). In this article, we will explain the safety factor of temporary equipment (scaffolding materials), how to calculate it, and its legal basis. By reading this article, you will gain an understanding of the safety factor of temporary equipment (scaffolding materials), which will help reduce accidents and disasters during the use of temporary equipment. For more, please see below.

Improving construction productivity in the construction industry, which faces numerous challenges, and supporting work style reform. ◆ Strengthening functions that are useful on-site Fukui Computer Architect Co., Ltd. will release the latest domestic BIM system "GLOOBE 2024" on May 15. In this latest version, we have significantly enhanced functions that are useful on-site to address the challenges facing the construction industry and aimed at "increasing productivity." *For more details, please check the related product information below.

A silicone material sheet with excellent heat and cold resistance meets the needs of the civil engineering industry. ◆ Addressing the challenges of slopes around infrastructure Koizumi Seima Co., Ltd. announced on April 11 that it has launched a multifunctional soil management sheet made of silicone material, tentatively named "(Tentative Name) Silicone Canvas" (patent pending), developed with knowledge and technology from the civil engineering industry to address issues related to secondary disaster prevention and weed management on slopes around infrastructure. *For more information, please check the related product information below.

Protecting the eyes of workers at construction sites with unique gaskets and ultra anti-fog, scratch-resistant lenses that meet the European safety standard EN166. ◆ Launch of two types of protective eyewear Bolle Brands Japan Co., Ltd. has released two types of ergonomic protective eyewear, the "Universal Goggles" and the semi-transparent framed "Glove," available from April on their website and at various retail stores. The "Universal Goggles" come in four types based on different applications, including ventilated and non-ventilated options, while the "Glove" is available in two types. *For more information, please check the related product information below.*

Centralizing construction site operations in the cloud to achieve DX (Digital Transformation) ◆Significantly reduces the workload of creating construction daily reports Mirai Construction Co., Ltd. announced on April 11 that it will officially launch its corporate service for the construction management app "Mirai Construction DX App," developed in collaboration with Taiyo Kogyo Co., Ltd., starting this month. The "Mirai Construction DX App" is an application that centralizes and streamlines construction site operations in the cloud, significantly reducing the workload of creating construction daily reports. *For more details, please check the related product information below.

No need for AR marker installation, and measurement of installation errors under 5mm can be done in a few seconds. ◆Development of BIM-2D Image Matching Technology On April 11, NEC announced that it has developed a unique BIM-2D image matching technology that significantly improves the efficiency of inspection work for sleeve pipe installation, which is currently done manually at construction sites, as part of construction DX. The company is advancing the demonstration of this technology at construction sites and aims to put it into practical use within this fiscal year. *For more details, please check the related product information below.

"Scaffolding Column" from a long-established temporary equipment manufacturer with over 70 years of history At Chuo Built Industry, we provide accurate knowledge and information about scaffolding to contribute to safety and efficiency at construction sites. Please use this for knowledge reinforcement, self-improvement, and in-house training. <What is a "Negarami" in Scaffolding Work? Explanation of Installation Standards and Methods> You may have heard the term "negarami" at construction sites, but do you know what it is? Negarami is one of the important components in assembling scaffolding, and there are established installation standards for it. In this article, we will provide a detailed explanation of the installation standards and methods for negarami. By reading this article and gaining a good understanding of negarami, you can assemble scaffolding with high safety, achieving a zero-accident record in scaffolding work. Please continue reading below.

Automation of earthworks planning, construction, and quality management to solve challenges in the construction industry ◆ Confirmation of productivity improvement Obayashi Corporation announced on April 11 that it successfully conducted a demonstration construction of the "Integrated Construction Management System" for the new Maruyama Dam construction project ordered by the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism. The demonstration construction took place during the earthworks of the construction project in December 2023, confirming the interoperability between systems and the productivity improvement effects of each system's functions through collaboration. *For more details, please check the related product information below.