“The consensus among industry leaders and analysts today is that networked technology - from personal wearable devices and mobile phones to equipment sensors and “smart” machines - is rapidly changing the nature of our organizations and how we run them.” ( Safety Leadership: Technology is changing safety: 4 areas to watch) Visualization Technology The ability to integrate and connect the parts is what’s growing and expanding, giving new insight and action within workplace safety. The parts involved in this technology are not new.
These same companies, according to The Onset of Wearable Technology, also envision using smart glasses to better utilize and capture the knowledge of senior technicians before the trend of more technicians leaving the industry than coming in is fully realized. Some companies have technicians record video with smart glasses to show customers in real time while on service calls. The use of smart glasses in the HVAC industry is one example of this integration. They can create an indoor GPS, for example, to track and understand people, equipment, and material movement, define hazardous areas and connect with worker location to create a safety bubble.
#TECH UTILITIES SAFE BLUETOOTH#
Wearables like safety vests are being used in the integration of wireless and Bluetooth technology, virtually connecting the physical and digital worlds.
#TECH UTILITIES SAFE SKIN#
This especially helps with cumulative illnesses like hearing loss, poisoning, respiratory disease and skin disorders. Organizations can also use wearables to determine if an illness is work-related. They can track biometrics, enable video and voice calls, scan barcodes and even detect exposure limits to harmful elements. Typically worn attached to clothing or as part of already-required PPE such as safety glasses, vests, and hard hats, wearables capture data and provide feedback. Wearable technology monitors the health and safety of workers and improves communication. Other interesting technology includes drone technology, robotics, and remote control vehicles.
Those include wearable technology, visualization technology, and record keeping and communications systems. New and emerging safety technology seems overwhelming, but a few major areas stand out. Jennie Gober, Humantech ergonomist, says…Įrgonomic technology helps companies move from “reacting to ergonomic-related injuries to actually preventing them.” New and Emerging Safety Technology Sit-to-stand desks and abundant seating options provide basic examples of ergonomic improvements that help prevent injuries from improper support.Īutonomous’ standing desk features an app that reminds you when to sit and stand throughout the day and adjusts the desk height accordingly.Įrgonomic technology also involves tools, equipment and assessment methods that measure, analyze, prioritize and reduce risk while also improving productivity and quality. Ergonomics and Technologyīeyond PPE, technology also improves safety through ergonomics. Additional integrated applications include those for confined spaces and welding. Technology improvements through PPE integration also include combining safety glasses with hard hats to create a more comfortable and fully-protected solution for workers who wear both. Another example is new visor material that is both chemical splash resistant and high impact rated. Oakley’s NEW Prizm Lens Technology provide one example. Frames are also more flexible as well as lighter. Safety eyewear improvements include better anti-fog and anti-scratch coatings on lenses along with reduced glare and improved clarity. “We’re seeing personal protective equipment manufacturers developing innovative new materials and formulations that not only are improving PPE overall, but also reducing costs.” ( Trends in Personal Protective Equipment) From safety eyewear to PPE integration, technology upgrades make what’s already standard do an even better job. The most obvious way technology improves safety is through personal protective equipment (PPE). Technology is also revolutionizing safety in the workplace. It’s in the workforce in areas like robotics, computer engineering, and web development. In real life, we see new and emerging technology showing up in places like athletics and military simulations. From smart cars and glasses to computers collecting and providing continuous information, technology in movies helps us better understand the role it could play in our lives. However, they also tell about new and emerging technology. Movies like these primarily serve to entertain us. One way to understand technology’s potential comes through movies like James Bond and Mission Impossible.