The Benefits of a Wearable Safety Device
When employees are in a dangerous working environment, such as a construction site, they need to be able to trust that they will be safe and that their employers have the best interests of everyone on the job. With the right technology, safety programs can be enhanced and workers can be confident that their employer is doing everything they can to keep them secure.
Wearables are a game-changer for ensuring safety in any industrial setting. From smart hard hats to medical-grade EEG brainwave trackers, a wearable can make a worker feel more protected and give them peace of mind on the job. lone worker panic alarm These devices collect critical data for movement and body positioning, environmental factors, biometric data, auditory and other sensory data, and work symbiotically with the wearer and with safety leadership to ensure that workers are in optimal working conditions.
Many industries are using wearables to improve worker safety, including manufacturing, transportation, and logistics, warehouses, and hotels. The technology helps protect against on-the-job hazards, such as heavy machinery and other vehicles moving through hazardous areas, and can provide alerts when workers are close to a potential danger. Some products also feature built-in panic buttons that can be triggered with the tap of a button to instantly connect employees with experts who can help them work through an issue or even get emergency help if necessary.
The benefits of a wearable safety device go far beyond the ability to trigger emergency assistance. The data collected by these devices can also be analyzed to help identify workplace trends, and the insights gained can assist with building safety protocols in place, as well as measuring the effectiveness of existing ones. In addition, this data can also be used to inform workforce culture and employee training.
Some wearables, such as the NIOSH-sponsored Exoskeleton technology, are helping to prevent musculoskeletal disorders and reduce fatigue by reducing the amount of strain placed on the human body. These systems consist of a frame that goes around all or part of the user’s body, and provides additional strength and support while reducing the impact of heavy lifting and other tasks. This technology is also being adapted to other applications such as reducing the risk of vehicle-related injuries.
Using a wearable to improve safety in an industrial setting requires a fast, reliable network that can transmit data quickly. These networks are crucial in preventing costly errors or lapses in connectivity (latency), which can result in accidents and injuries on the job. As the industry continues to innovate and develop new solutions, it is important to understand how the latest technology can be leveraged to optimize employee safety on the job site.
