A series of trials has been developed to test how the technology can be used to improve the way construction projects are managed throughout all stages.

The tests involve a wide cross section of the industry including on-site project teams, off-site manufacturing teams, remote working teams and the subcontracted workforce.

The first round of on-site trials was completed prior to the COVID-19 pandemic on live projects led by contractors on Pagabo’s Major Works Framework - Morgan Sindall Construction and Willmott Dixon. Both staff employed directly by the contractors and sub-contractors working on the sites were provided a Moodbeam One wristband, funded by Pagabo’s Innovation fund, and used it to track if they were having a good or bad day at work, in real time. Trials also took place with subcontractors M2 Civils and manufacturer ECO Modular Buildings.

Simon Toplass, chief executive at Pagabo, said: “Everyone involved in these trials recognises that to instigate real change in the industry we need to listen to the voice of all people involved in delivering a project. This includes consultants, manufacturers, contractors and sub-contractors.

“The industry is starting to talk about the pressure that is felt by its workforce, and this pioneering initiative starts to provide a way of staying in tune with how staff are feeling. The data captured during the trials is completely anonymous and will be used to highlight any challenges and stress points on-site, as well as capturing when things are going well.

“There are so many things that can affect whether workers will have a good or bad day – from weather factors to deadlines, long periods of remote working to unsocial shift patterns – so the Moodbeam One allows a really simple way for people to feedback. Now, as sites are reopening and sections of the workforce are returning to work, the COVID-19 pandemic has created added pressures for people, which will impact their wellbeing both in and out of work. The wristband’s design allows workers to have a voice through discreet, anonymous feedback – through simply pushing a single button.”