been seen in the technology sector across the world. Businesses are beginning to see the benefits of investing in Safety Tech, with the increased demand only pushing tech companies to strive for greatness.
Safety Tech covers a wide range of technology from EHS software to wearables and has become an increasingly popular way of reducing risk and saving money within a business.
How tech is improving workplace safety
Better communication
It is important for an employer to ensure their employees are safe, and having an effective communication helps to achieve this goal. Thanks to improved communication channels and real-time data technology are allowing remote employees to keep safe while working in the field.
Improved communication systems also allow for incidents to be tracked in a more timely manner and can flag up any potential issues with employees if they are consistently late or communicating ineffectively.
AI and remote video monitoring improve safety
Artificial intelligence (AI) can help to identify issues or compare procedures and highlight if any critical steps were likely missed during an incident. This can then trigger an alert to employees who can double-check whether something was missed or needs to be done to ensure safety.
This isn’t an uncommon way of using AI/remote video monitoring. In fact, the medical community uses such technology to monitor surgical procedures. But the system can easily be adapted for safety critical jobs in other high-risk industries, so long as companies invest in the right equipment.
Using drones in the workplace, which can record video and inspect hidden or high risk areas, can reduce the risk of accidents and when they do occur, it is easier to see how and why something went wrong.
Opportunities for using VR training
Virtual reality and 3D visualisation is becoming increasingly popular as a training tool in occupational health and safety as technology can create a virtual, and safe, environment where employees can immerse themselves in a virtual world but with real-life scenarios. This allows employees to get more “hands on” training, which is far more effective than theory work.
Faster emergency response
Safety Tech companies are also beginning to address that grey area between actual emergency calls and potentially unsafe situations. Many crimes such as stalking, break-ins, or domestic abuse cases aren’t clear dangers until it’s too late to call for help. Phone apps can help first responders target exact locations and connect with users who can’t make a call.
Universities and cities also benefit from the big data aspects of such technologies, gaining a better sense of when and where people feel unsafe and focusing safety efforts on trouble areas.
As mentioned above, communication has massively improved with increased tech. Workers that are required to work within remote and stranded environments experience many risks. However, the use of apps and communication tools that can collect real-time data insights allow employers to keep updated about the safety status of their employees and allow them to communicate safety messages to employees.
Safety apps have been developed to look at safety-related issues, providing valuable information in minutes. These can streamline health and safety management, allowing businesses to be more efficient, more alert, and safer.
Wearable tech can give more insight
Safety in the workplace is also improving through wearable technology devices that can track biometrics, enable calls, scan barcodes, and detect exposure limits to harmful elements. Wearable technology can help to determine work-related illnesses and prevent them from occurring in other employees in the future.
These wearable devices include sensors to help monitor posture, heart rate, toxic gas exposure, and more. This data helps maintain health and safety among industrial workers, firefighters, first responders, and other high-risk workforces which can save lives and improve the overall processes within a business. Even eyewear has improved through technology with many companies now offering anti-fog and anti-scratch coatings on lenses.
The core benefits that Safety Tech has for businesses
It is mandatory for companies to ensure the health and safety of their employees and Safety Tech is helping employers succeed in these measures. With proper technology for safety in the workplace, employees are more productive and happier due improved environments and improved health.
As well as improving employee morale, Safety Tech ultimately reduces the number of incidents, injuries and fatalities within a business which is a huge bonus. Plus, with increased productivity thanks to smart tech, there also come cost savings.
