Meet Skanska’s AI Safety Sidekick for Safer, Smarter Construction Sites
Skanska, one of the titans of global construction and development, has just raised the bar on job site safety in the United States. Their latest innovation, aptly named Safety Sidekick, is a generative AI-powered tool built to act as a digital companion for construction teams.
This isn’t just another app on a tablet. It represents a shift in how safety is managed, practiced and embedded into every phase of the construction process.
As the construction sector leans further into digital transformation, Skanska’s move demonstrates its commitment to marrying technology with its deeply entrenched culture of health and safety. “With the Safety Sidekick, we are combining the power of AI with our deep-rooted commitment to well-planned, efficient and safely executed construction” said Paul Haining, Chief EHS Officer at Skanska USA. “This tool empowers our teams to make informed, safe decisions at every stage of a project – elevating our unwavering focus and commitment to innovation in the industry.”
A Powerful Digital Companion in Your Pocket
Designed for both mobile and desktop platforms, Safety Sidekick provides real-time access to Skanska’s Environmental, Health, and Safety (EHS) Manual, along with OSHA construction standards and additional safety documentation. Think of it as an expert safety officer available 24/7, minus the clipboard.
Key features include:
- Instant access to safety resources and job-specific best practices
- Context-aware recommendations tailored to site conditions
- Built-in Safety Classification Learning Model for smarter documentation
- Scenario-based policy advice for daily operations
- Full support for every step of the Plan-Do-Check-Act (PDCA) cycle
By consolidating critical information into a user-friendly platform, Safety Sidekick eliminates the guesswork from safety decision-making. It responds to on-the-ground conditions, offering tailored insights that help crews stay ahead of potential hazards.
Not Just Another Tool
Safety Sidekick isn’t a one-off. It’s the latest in a growing arsenal of AI-driven solutions Skanska is rolling out under its Expert Sidekicks suite. Each tool is purpose-built and fuelled by the company’s own vast knowledge base, effectively transforming data into decision-making power.
According to Anita Nelson, Chief Strategy Officer at Skanska USA Building: “These tools empower our people to turn data – including our enterprise knowledge – into actionable insights that better support our project teams and deliver more value to our customers.” She added: “By embedding data-informed strategies and technologies into the core of our operations, we’re strengthening our ability to stay agile, efficient, and future-focused in an evolving industry.”
This integration of AI into everyday workflows reflects Skanska’s broader data strategy – a strategy that’s centred around improving consistency, enhancing performance, and reducing risks across its projects.
Supporting Crews at Every Level
Whether you’re a seasoned site manager or a new apprentice on your first build, Safety Sidekick is designed to support everyone on the team. With intuitive design and role-specific insights, it bridges the knowledge gap across experience levels and job roles.
Its contextual guidance, which dynamically adjusts to site-specific challenges, ensures that even when conditions change rapidly – which they often do in construction – workers have up-to-date, actionable guidance at their fingertips.
And it doesn’t stop there. The AI assistant helps manage documentation too, using classification models that streamline reporting and incident tracking. That alone could save hours each week while also enhancing transparency and accountability on site.
Training and Nationwide Rollout
Skanska is already rolling out Safety Sidekick across its U.S. operations, which span 28 offices and generate over $8 billion annually. To ensure successful adoption, the company is backing the launch with comprehensive training and user support.
The goal? Seamless integration. The rollout includes interactive sessions, tutorials, and ongoing updates, ensuring teams not only use the tool but use it effectively. With over 6,300 team members in the U.S. and 26,300 globally, Skanska’s approach focuses on consistency without compromising flexibility.
Digital Safety for a Digital Era
While the construction industry has been historically slow to adopt digital tools compared to other sectors, momentum is building. Innovations like Safety Sidekick are a strong signal that the future of construction lies in smart systems, real-time analytics, and AI-supported decision-making.
This is especially crucial given the complex nature of modern construction projects. With layered supply chains, tight deadlines, and ever-evolving regulatory landscapes, having a tool that distils crucial safety data into usable actions isn’t just convenient – it’s essential.
And it’s not just about reducing risk. By reinforcing safe behaviour, improving incident documentation, and offering real-time training moments, Safety Sidekick could ultimately help reshape the safety culture across the sector.
A Legacy of Innovation and Responsibility
Founded more than 135 years ago, Skanska is no stranger to shaping the built environment. Today, it’s one of the world’s largest construction and project development companies, with revenues reaching $16.8 billion in 2024 alone. Its U.S. operations play a significant role, with $224 million invested in commercial development projects last year.
The company continues to invest in technologies that align with its purpose: creating sustainable, safe, and healthy environments for generations to come. Safety Sidekick is just the latest milestone in a long tradition of forward-thinking innovation.
Empowering the Industry, One Project at a Time
As AI becomes a staple across industries, construction can no longer afford to be left behind. Skanska’s Safety Sidekick is proof that even the most traditional sectors can embrace modern tools to solve age-old problems.
With a clear focus on improving the human experience on construction sites, this AI assistant doesn’t just talk safety – it enables it, enforces it, and evolves with it. And that might just be what sets Skanska apart as it builds the future, one safe step at a time.
