5 Ways Companies Are Using Tech To Improve Workplace Health And Safety
Technology is already being used to improve many aspects of business from security to marketing. But what about workplace health and safety? Below are a few different ways in which tech can be used to keep employees safe and healthy.
Accessing dangerous areas with drones
There are many locations where it can be hazardous to send employees. Using a drone to access these areas can allow you to remotely monitor them so that employees are in less danger.
What are some examples of instances where a drone could be used? Surveying a faulty roof instead of sending an employee up there or checking the condition of a radio mast are some prime examples. Photos and video footage can be taken that can then be used to more safely plan manned maintenance if necessary.
Using infrared cameras to detect dangers
A FLIR camera can be used for many purposes from identifying moisture in walls to identifying pests. While they can be used by tradesmen and surveyors to serve clients, these cameras can also be used around the workplace to ensure safety.
How can infrared cameras be used to improve workplace safety? One example is using cameras to monitor industrial machinery and check for excess heat in order to detect fire risks early. Infrared cameras can also be used to detect toxic and dangerous gas build-ups early.
Monitoring employee locations with wearable tech
Being able to keep track of where employees are could be important for their safety in some industries. Wearable tech can be used to produce a GPS signal so that lost employees can be easily found.
Coastguards, mountain rescue operatives, police officers and security guards are some of the professionals that could benefit from this tech. There are many other potential uses for wearable tech that could also benefit employees including heart rate monitoring and gas alarms.
Creating digital health and safety handbooks
Having access to a health and safety handbook could be useful when carrying out potentially dangerous tasks or even attending to emergencies.
A way to ensure that employees always have access to a handbook is to make it a digital handbook accessible via an app on employees’ phones. This is much more convenient than having to carry around a physical handbook, plus an app could contain simpler search functions and videos to make following health and safety protocol quicker and easier.
Using tech to prevent RSIs
Repetitive strain injuries are a big danger in many forms of work. Fortunately tech is constantly being developed to help limit the risk of these injuries.
This includes creating machines like power tools that are less noisy in order to protect employees’ ear and tools that create less vibrations in order to prevent RSIs like carpal tunnel syndrome. Computer software can meanwhile be used to reduce blue light exposure to prevent computer vision syndrome in offices.
