The Victorian construction industry is forging ahead on the road to recovery and taking advantage of the latest Bluetooth contact tracing technology, becoming the leaders in Australian safety.

Despite a year of constant setbacks, The Commonwealth and Victorian governments have committed to supporting construction jobs across Victoria by jointly investing an additional $525 million to deliver infrastructure projects and urgent road safety upgrades.

Within the past three months, Major Roads Projects Victoria (MRPV) and their construction partners Decmil, Fulton Hogan Industries Pty Ltd, John Holland Group Pty Ltd, McConnell Dowell Constructors (Aust) Pty Ltd, Multiplex Constructions Pty Ltd and Seymour Whyte Constructions Pty have all implemented a new contract tracing system as part of a rigorous COVID safe plan across their sites to keep these critical projects on track and Victorians in work.

Over 8,700 Contact Harald cards have been distributed across these worksites, with more to follow.

Contact Harald is a wearable contact tracing card that is given to all on site visitors including workers. The technology then records and stores interactions that last over two minutes and within a 1.5 metre radius.

If a visitor declares symptoms or tests positive for COVID-19, only the recorded users in close proximity to the suspected or confirmed case will be sent an SMS and email via the secure Contact Harald database, owned and administered by the construction company – removing the need for external agencies and nullifying cyber security concerns.

In the event of a suspected or confirmed case, this new contact tracing system will notify only those with recorded close contact – this advancement enables construction to continue with minimal disruption.

Director of Health and Product at Contact Harald Elissa Reid, said: “Now is the time for key infrastructure to take shape as we ease back into day to day life. Contact Harald is the only complete and reliable solution currently available that allows those working on site to continue to operate safely.”

“Contact Harald is built from best practice, simple and smart technology to map, manage and minimise the impact of outbreaks for construction sites and businesses alike. If an outbreak were to occur on site, we want to be able to act fast and manage the breakout, in order to keep important public and private works on track.” Ms. Reid said.

Contact Harald is currently being used by large, multi-national organisations across a variety of industries that include construction, aged care, manufacturing, entertainment and mining, to name a few, both in Australia and overseas.

Upon successful completion of this trial, Contact Harald aims to roll out the program with other construction operations around the country.