Alexandru Arba
Research expert covering Japan
Construction equipment industry in Japan - statistics & facts
The Japanese construction equipment industry manufactures machinery worth trillions of Japanese yen every year. Domestic and overseas companies worldwide demand Japanese construction equipment and, hence, exports account for a large share of shipments. Though most often applied for construction, many other industries, such as forestry or mining, depend on it as well. Lease companies are also typical clients, as machinery leasing is a billion-yen business. The leading manufacturers include Komatsu, Hitachi Construction Machinery, and Tadano, among others. Their products reach from asphalt finishers to wheel loaders, the most common being high-tech-equipped hydraulic excavators.
All these new technologies aim at improving both safety and productivity while reducing costs. The industry envisions a future of unstaffed construction sites, where equipment is mostly remote-controlled or autonomous.
Accordingly, mitigating hazards with up-to-date, versatile heavy machinery is a lever to reduce risks in the construction industry and others, respectively accounting for two-thirds and one-third of accidents with heavy machinery. However, as workplace safety has diverse aspects and proper construction equipment is only one of them, the construction site as a workplace needs constant reinventions on various levels.
Technological trends in construction equipment
High-tech has permeated today’s construction machinery. New machines have integrated software and support systems to facilitate operations, prevent damages or harm to workers. Additionally, manufacturers offer implementing information and communications technology (ICT) and Internet of Things (IoT) solutions to enhance operations management and equipment maintenance. Drones for construction surveying have already taken off; autonomous driving systems for hauling equipment like dump trucks are in development.All these new technologies aim at improving both safety and productivity while reducing costs. The industry envisions a future of unstaffed construction sites, where equipment is mostly remote-controlled or autonomous.
Occupational accidents with construction equipment
Although industries other than construction were more susceptible to occupational accidents, the Japanese construction industry counted the most accidents involving fatalities. Therefore, the preoccupation with safety lies at hand. Up and foremost, this is a matter of physical integrity and human life. Furthermore, every casualty results in hundreds of lost workdays for the construction company on average.Accordingly, mitigating hazards with up-to-date, versatile heavy machinery is a lever to reduce risks in the construction industry and others, respectively accounting for two-thirds and one-third of accidents with heavy machinery. However, as workplace safety has diverse aspects and proper construction equipment is only one of them, the construction site as a workplace needs constant reinventions on various levels.
