Improving workplace safety through the use of technology
7 Innovations that minimize accident risks. Artificial intelligence, machine learning, and cloud computing, are just a handful of the century’s most significant technical advances.
And, when you consider it, we owe the majority of our health and safety improvements to such technological breakthroughs.
Our world is more connected than it ever was, and technology is helping to make this world as secure as possible in both our personal and professional lives. Several technologies have contributed to the transformation of hazardous working environments, such as construction sites or manufacturing facilities, into safe workplaces with minimal hazards during the last decade.
The following are just a few ways that technology may help make the workplace a safer place if firms start applying them right away.
Better training software
Improper usage of machinery or equipment is one of the leading causes of workplace accidents. This frequently occurs because staff were not properly trained to use the equipment safely, or because training sessions were not as extensive as they should have been.
Employees may now immerse themselves in a simulated environment that is identical to the one in which they are working, thanks to virtual reality, which has become a highly reliable training tool. They can be placed in potentially harmful circumstances in this manner without really being exposed to hazards.
Augmented reality may also be utilized in training since it allows workers to interact with both the real environment and augmented features at the same time. Despite having a greater initial cost, these technologies can be cost-effective in the long run since they reduce the need for human trainers or instructors.
3D visualization technology
Employees who are compelled to work in distant or solitary areas, such as mine employees, are frequently exposed to several unknown hazards. They can acquire real-time information about the site by combining 3D visualization technology with real-time data from the location, understanding whether there are any concerns associated. 3D visualization technology may aid in the digital recreation of settings, allowing personnel to assess them and select the safest practices to utilize.
Sewer inspectors, who are known to operate in dangerous situations, can utilize cameras to assess inaccessible locations and determine whether or not they are safe to enter. This way, they won’t be venturing into new region and will be safe from possible dangers.
It’s similar to how surgeons utilize cameras to help them do less intrusive operations during surgery.
The Internet of Things
Internet of Things technology has recently been applied in a variety of industries, including workplace safety. IoT technology connects devices or equipment to the internet so that they may transmit and receive information.
There are two types of IoT that can assist enhance workplace safety: wearable technology and machines that are connected to devices:
- Better machinery monitoring
According to the experts at AccidentClaimsAdvice one of the leading causes of workplace injuries is defective equipment. However, if the equipment is kept in good condition, these accidents can be prevented. IoT technology may assist in equipping machines with sensors that monitor operations and can alert if there is a problem. This manner, the repair may be completed quickly, avoiding problems and lowering expenses.
- Wearable gear
Wearable devices can be used to monitor important workers’ vital signs, such as temperature, heart rate, or blood oxygen levels, in order to safeguard personnel working in hazardous settings. If a worker’s temperature, for example, hits dangerously high levels, the gadget can transmit a signal, and activities can be halted.
Wearable technology can also monitor environmental conditions and inform employees if a certain place is safe to enter. Employees working in hazardous gas environments, for example, can wear gas monitoring devices that inform them if excessive amounts of carbon monoxide or other deadly gases are present.
Improved environmental, health, and safety software
Environmental, health, and safety (EHS) management software is another sort of technology that has shown to be quite effective in keeping the workplace safe. This is often available from software development firms that provide either off-the-shelf or bespoke products.
Although EHS management software may be customized to a company’s specific requirements, it often assists organizations with the following:
- Risk assessment and better development of contingency plans
- Recording workplace accidents for better prevention
- Monitoring employee safety and health
- Complying with local laws and environmental regulations
Surveillance drones
Drones are miniature flying devices outfitted with sensors and cameras that can scan locations and provide data to the person operating them. These aircrafts are tiny, simple to operate, and reasonably priced, and they can travel large distances.
They can be used to explore isolated or undiscovered places that would be difficult or risky to access otherwise. Rooftops, high-rise building sites, and disaster zones are some examples. This manner, they can ensure that the location is safe to enter and decrease the possibility of safety hazards.
Robotics technology
There is perhaps no technology that has had a greater impact on workplace safety than robots. Robotic technology can assist in reducing time-consuming chores and increasing staff productivity. Repetitive and tedious jobs can create stressful work situations, reduce attention span, and increase the likelihood of accidents.
Because collaborative robots can already operate alongside people, the industrial industry is likely to profit the most from robotics support. And, thanks to advances in technology, robots are now outfitted with sensors that identify human employees and stop operations if someone gets too close to them and is injured.
Wearable devices
Because no two people are the same, what isn’t detrimental to one person might cause major problems for another. Individuals may have allergies or health concerns that they are unaware of, and certain work situations might exacerbate such issues.
Businesses can monitor employee health and ensure they are not exposed to potentially dangerous conditions by employing wearable gadgets. Data may then be saved and evaluated, with employers receiving monthly health reports. These can also be useful when developing healthcare plans for employees so that they can be tailored to their specific need.
