Page 58 - Occupational Health & Safety, November/December 2019

2020 TRENDS
Trends Driving Safety Programs’ Digital Transformation: Connectivity,Wearables and Data Science
In this digital world, companies are beginning to integrate wearable technologies and data science into their EHS programs to improve worker safety.
BY SEAN STINSON
Digital transformation has reshaped our daily lives and the way we do business. More than ever before, individuals and organizations are leveraging technology to improve per-
formance, empower decision-making and drive their businesses forward. From cloud-connected devices to the Internet of Things, the data collected from cut- ting-edge technologies allow users to make fact-based decisions that steer continuous improvement efforts and efficiencies. In 2020, we expect this digital revo- lution to play a leading role in driving organizations towards world-class safety cultures.
From social media and streamed entertainment services to smart homes and electric cars, we often take for granted the connectedness of our lives. In the workplace, health and safety professionals are begin- ning to integrate the same connectivity principles to integrate wearable technologies and data science into their EHS programs at an ever-increasing pace.
Connectivity
In our personal lives, instant connectivity and visibil- ity is an expectation. When we receive an email, we can read that message using whatever device we have readily on-hand, whether that is a computer, a phone or even a watch. If that email contains the delivery sta- tus of an Amazon order, we will know the location of the package and can even track it down to the number of stops away it is from our doorstep.
This level of instant connectivity and access to on- demand information is becoming the expectation of more and more businesses, particularly when it con- cerns their employees’ well-being. The safety industry has traditionally been slower to adopt new technolo- gies. Yet, as instant connectivity and visibility become standard, more companies’ safety teams are driving all-inclusive, holistic approaches to developing con- nected safety programs.
With digital transformation taking hold across in- dustries, previously disparate devices and sensors are becoming increasingly interconnected by streaming and syncing data in the cloud. Cloud-connectivity al- lows data to be compiled in a centralized location and streamlines operations through automated report- ing and visualization tools. Safety managers can now have immediate access to pertinent insights about their teams, such as their safety status or current gas reading levels, when and where they need them. Most
importantly, cloud connectivity provides real-time, situational awareness that safety managers need in order to make quick and informed decisions. It is this level of visibility that increases the odds of a recovery versus a rescue.
Wearables
Connected wearable technologies are common in life outside of the work environment. Today, our watches tell us much more than the time of day—with a quick peek, we can check our heart rate, the temperature outside and our next appointment.
In the workplace, the use of connected wearable technology is less common. However, as increasingly robust safety programs become standard, the adop- tion of wearables is expected to grow at a more rapid pace. Companies are more aggressively exploring and adopting devices equipped with various biometric and ambient sensors to help their teams work safer and more efficiently. When it comes to their own well- being, employees tend to be more accepting of change, and their perspective is more positive regarding these solutions. Research has found that acceptance is even more likely when organizations people work for have strong safety cultures.1 This alignment between com- panies, their employees and the technology they use is crucial for businesses to become more competitive in the changing economy.
Connected wearables can monitor and detect a wide range of safety incidents, and they can even be customized to for instant worker communication help in the event of an emergency. Devices can com- pute an employee’s location and monitor their activity level. Sensors can detect exposure to environmental hazards including toxic gases, heat and humidity. Bio- metric signals, ambient radiation and sound intensity are also easily sampled through a range of sensors. By applying connected technology to safety, businesses can know a person’s overall health and the impact of their working conditions.
In addition to safety, companies are increasingly looking to wearables to optimize workplace produc- tivity. For example, rather than sending several indi- viduals to a distant site, wearable cameras will provide employees with access to a team of experts who can remotely support the individual. Connected wear- ables and tracking technology will give businesses a real-time understanding of where their workforce
54 Occupational Health & Safety | NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2019
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