Modern Technology to Keep Your Workplace Safe

All workplaces have potential dangers to employees. While employers used to try different strategies to ensure office or workplace safety, some factors that put workers at risk are beyond the control of the employers – or the employees themselves. Some of the traditional methods implemented to prevent work hazards were signs, reminders, and employee orientation regarding workplace dangers.

With the advent of technology and modern smart devices, however, employers found new means to provide safety measures to workers.

Wearable Safety Devices

Employers may require employees to wear certain devices that prevent workplace hazards. Using modern technology, employers have a wider scope and can determine the state of their employees at any given moment. Smart technology has provided easier wellness tracking methods, which is why some companies have begun to use this technology for industrial workers.

A few applications of wearable technology include alerting employees during emergencies; calling the attention of workers to their body movement and posture to prevent back pain, strain, or injury; and monitoring workflow and efficiency of employees in completing a task.

In construction, for example, some companies require contractors and builders to use wearable gadgets that contain sensors and beacons that determine several things: an employee’s location, his/her body temperature, heart rate, and other factors that could signal distress. The sensors can also alert employers if workers have fallen unconscious and lay unseen by their colleagues.

For other wearable technologies, analysts predict that around two million employees will be required to wear health and fitness tracking devices to work this year. Most of these employees will consist of first responders such as police, paramedics, and firefighters, who need to remain in good health to properly work and serve the community. However, companies in manufacturing and construction sectors are also beginning to do the same.

Automotive Safety

Companies that hire professional drivers (e.g., taxi companies, car rental services) or provide vehicles for employees required to travel to work (e.g., traveling salespeople, medical representatives) can take advantage of new technology in the automobile industry and provide cars with safety features.

While most of these technologies are relatively new and need to be market-tested before they can be mass-marketed and declared 100% accident-proof on the road, their features have been helpful in preventing certain road problems. Such features include GPS, emergency brakes, adaptive cruise control,  parking and other sensors, and car safety electronics.

If employees work in an unsafe environment, they are at risk – a fact that most employers wouldn’t want because they may have to pay workers’ compensation in case of workplace accidents. Employers should address these issues immediately using advanced technology.

While some employees may be hesitant about being required to wear things that gather their data, analysts are optimistic that there is a promising future for safety devices in the workplace.

See if your company’s safety measures are the best you can provide. At BDeWees Consulting, we help you enhance your business’ effectiveness and find the best solutions for your growth. Apart from safety solutions, we provide consulting and coaching services for several areas of running a business.

Contact us today.