Making work safer, healthier one data point at a time

Gabriel P. Glynn

Using data to predict risk, prevent injury, and prevent death is not a new concept. Meteorologists have been collecting and analyzing weather data for centuries and can now predict the increase in the risk of severe weather with a relatively high degree of accuracy. It is not just a factor like wind or heat, but a confluence of various factors that, when present, increase the likelihood of bad weather. Early warning systems and weather radios have saved countless lives, and all of this has been made possible by the vast amount of data that began a long time ago.

Today's construction sites are extremely complex. Large construction sites and gigantic manufacturing companies are full of moving devices, machines and, above all, people.

Every day these people show up at the construction site and have an experience throughout their shift that is completely unique to them.

The environmental conditions to which they are exposed are unique. The energy they consume is unique. The risk they are exposed to is unique.

Hidden within these unique experiences is the data that can tell an important story that leads to fewer injuries, fewer deaths, longer working lives, increased productivity and less physical exertion.

According to a Markets-to-Markets 2020 report, the industrial wearables market is projected to grow to nearly $ 9 billion by 2024. Forecasts like this are based on surveys of companies around the world.

This forecast shows that significant investments can be made to find new sources of data to improve the environment, health and safety, and operations.

Here are just a few examples of companies using data from portable devices to identify potential risks and make simple changes that have a significant impact:

Hamlet discovers true effort

Weiler, a construction equipment manufacturer based in Knoxville, Iowa, used handheld devices to better understand the physical force involved in the many different roles at the facility.

After just eight weeks of data collection, the company found that several of its job roles in terms of physical exertion and repetitive motion were significantly higher than managers expected.

After further observing the people in these roles, the managers were able to rearrange the tasks so that they are less physically demanding on the workers.

Mill operation reduces VOC content

Tom's Quality Millwork in Campbellsport, Wisconsin, used wearables across its workforce and found that volatile organic compounds (VOC) and carbon dioxide levels were elevated at the start of the work day.

By turning on the ventilation systems an hour before workers arrived on site, the company was able to reduce worker exposure to VOC and carbon dioxide.

With wearable technology becoming more prevalent, it's not hard to believe that in a few years' time we will have enough predictive data to dramatically reduce workplace injuries and deaths.

There is no siren that goes off before a worker has a herniated disc or trips and breaks his wrist on a concrete floor or worse.

But there is data that can tell us when the likelihood will increase.

Gathering this data is the first step in sending more employees home safe and sound at the end of the day.

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