Ontario Construction News staff writer
PCL Construction, headquartered in Edmonton, has announced a multi-year partnership with safety intelligence software leader HammerTech, aimed at improving safety measures and operational efficiencies across its global projects.
As one of North America’s largest construction firms, PCL boasts an impressive annual construction volume exceeding CAD 10 billion and maintains an exceptional safety record, with injury rates consistently below industry averages, the company said in a recent statement. “This collaboration is part of PCL’s commitment to fostering a culture of accountability, measurement and innovation,” the PCL statement says.
The HammerTech platform is designed to enhance safety workflows, providing PCL with improved reporting, data management and streamlined processes for collecting and analyzing safety documentation.
“Safety is a guiding principle that shapes every decision we make at PCL,” said Jim Barry, vice-president of health, safety and environment at PCL. “With HammerTech’s technology, our teams will be better equipped to collaborate with trade partners and drive us toward our goal of a zero-incident future.”
“The integration of HammerTech will enable us to gather sophisticated data around our safety programs, ultimately leading to improved decision-making and a safer workplace for all,” said Mark Bryant, PCL’s chief information officer.
Founded in 2013, HammerTech has experienced rapid growth and now supports more than 500 clients globally, including prominent North American contractors. The platform is utilized on over 20,000 active construction projects worldwide, with more than 3.6 million workers having completed orientations through the system.
“This partnership highlights our capability to address complex safety operations in the construction industry. I am confident it will positively impact the culture of safety across the sector,” said HammerTech co-founder and CEO Ben Leach.
Job site safety remains a top priority for PCL, particularly in light of alarming statistics from the U.S. Department of Labor, which reported that nearly one in five workplace fatalities in 2022 occurred within the construction industry. The sector accounted for nearly half of all fatal falls, slips and trips that year.
The timing of this partnership follows HammerTech’s recent announcement of a $97-million investment from U.S.-based Riverwood Capital, aimed at fueling growth and advancing research and development, including the incorporation of AI technologies into its platform.
