Maintaining safety in the workplace is one of the biggest obligations of every employer, regardless of the industry. This is especially true for operations that are inherently unsafe, such as those in the mining, industrial, and electrical fields. With emerging technologies in workplace safety, companies can protect their employees apart from the standard safety practices.
What are these workplace safety technologies? And how exactly do they protect workers’ health and safety?
Here are some of the best examples.
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Superior fire-resistant apparel
There is FR gear, and then there is superior FR gear. Professionals working in hazardous environments (electrical, welding, firefighting, industrial, etc.) need cutting-edge fire-resistant apparel to protect themselves against thermal hazards—such as flames, molten metal, extreme heat, and arc flashes—in the best way possible. Regular FR gear might not be able to do the job. Superior FR gear can provide the highest level of protection in these hazardous work environments.
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Upgraded vehicle technology
Logistics companies and businesses that utilize in-house vehicles can improve driver safety with the latest vehicle technology and, at the same time, make transportation of goods or people more efficient. Recent developments in in-vehicle technologies are continuously helping to correct negative driver behaviors, warn drivers against potential collisions, and reduce driver drowsiness, among many other advantages.
These technologies include GPS systems, dashboard cameras, electronic logging devices, telematics, anti-drowsy driving technologies, and collision warning systems. Investing in these tech solutions can improve drivers’ safety (and those around them) and increase transportation efficiency.
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Wearable technology
Wearable technology is making waves across many applications, from sports to gaming and healthcare to workplace safety. Wearable technology in the workplace can serve many purposes. For one, it can make communication more seamless and efficient. But in terms of workplace safety, it serves a bigger purpose.
Wearable technology can track biomechanics, alert the management of accidents, aid in the recovery process, and limit exposure to recognized hazards. Some wearable devices can also call emergency services if it detects that a worker is injured or unresponsive, which is extremely useful if there are no other workers around to assist the victim.
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Robotics
Robotic technology is certainly nothing new in the modern world, but it continuously makes waves in the most hazardous working environments. With robots, workers don’t have to expose themselves to dangerous situations and risk their health or safety. For example, if a piece of machinery needs to be repaired but doing so is inherently hazardous for a human, a robot can step in and do the work instead, thus putting no human lives at risk.
Furthermore, robotic technology can help reduce workers’ risk of injuries caused by repetitive functions or lifting heavy loads.
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Virtual reality technology
Like wearable technology, VR is also a type of tech proving extremely useful across many fields. In the workplace, VR has proven to be extremely helpful in training.
By incorporating VR technology in training, inexperienced workers can train in a simulation that is as accurate as it can get, thus helping them learn without putting themselves at risk. VR technology also has the power to track motion and record user data, which can help managers evaluate training results in the most precise manner. For example, if a worker makes a wrong move during a simulation, the technology can record this data and help training managers to correct the worker accordingly.
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Uncrewed aerial vehicles
Unmanned aerial vehicles or UAVs prove extremely useful in surveying dangerous areas, which humans would otherwise have to do themselves. Many fields make use of this type of technology, including industrial manufacturing, firefighting, rescue operations, and so much more.
Workers can operate UAVs from a safe place and survey the problem without putting themselves at unnecessary risk. For example, if a machine situated in a highly hazardous area fails, a UAV can be used to determine the problem instead of sending out a worker to inspect. In emergencies like forest fires and extreme floods, a UAV can help look for survivors quickly and pinpoint their exact location for rescuers.
Aside from traditional health and safety measures, these tech solutions can further improve workplace safety—and often in a way that traditional measures can’t. With these technologies in place, employers can meet their obligations much easier, and workers can go through their day with the highest level of safety possible.
