JUNE 2022CONSTRUCTIONBUSINESSREVIEW.COM 19THE IMPACT OF WEARABLE TECHNOLOGY ON SAFETY IN THE INDUSTRIAL WORKPLACEThroughout the world, worker safety at industrial companies depends on understanding where the people are and what hazards they are confronting and then using that information to improve safety rules and procedures proactively. On the other hand, companies frequently lack the necessary visibility into their operations and employees to effectively minimise risks. Wearable technology, notably cloud-connected wearable technology, can help with this. Wearable connected technology is already widespread in our daily lives--from tracking an Uber's whereabouts on the phone to measuring heart rates on wrist monitors--and it's influencing workplace safety practices as well. Through the advent of "connected safety" in the workplace, environmental, health, and safety (EHS) are evolving regarding incident detection, avoidance, reporting, and management.According to the International Labour Organization, there are approximately 340 million occupational accidents and 160 million victims of work-related illnesses each year. Modern technology will enable rapid and educated decisions to best protect workers' lives by providing real-time, data-driven insights about safety on the ground. A connected safety solution comprises a cloud-based software platform that links to Internet of Things (IoT) safety-based devices, such as wearables, to show data in real-time. It's essentially the Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT), but with a focus on safety. The Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT) is a network of networked devices used to develop, maintain, monitor, optimise, and analyse industrial activities in real-time so that better decisions may be made.This means moving away from basic monitors with simply personal alarms and toward a cloud-connected network of devices that can combine worn gas detectors with area monitors and even other sensor devices. Monitoring workers can convey safety information to equipment via smart, cloud-based software for analysis and reporting. As a result, your whole workforce and every site benefit from a fully controlled network of issue warning, response, and avoidance opportunities. Workers' safety, workflow, safety process automation, and compliance have all improved due to this data-driven strategy. In fact, according to a Polaris research estimate from 2021, the linked safety market would be worth USD 24.3 billion by 2029. IN FOCUS
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