Myth-Busting Wearables
Three common myths about putting wearables to work in your health and safety program.
- By Shawn Gregg
- Aug 01, 2023
It’s hard to believe that it was only a decade ago when Google Glass made an entry into the market. At that time, smart glasses creating a ubiquitous computer and wearable for the general public seemed futuristic. However, over the last few years, we’ve seen the use of wearables fast-tracked across both consumer and business use.
At the same time, the pandemic challenged assumptions about worker safety, health and well-being, and it helped intensify the focus corporations place on mitigating risk. As consumers get more comfortable wearing data-producing sensors in their personal lives, it has been easier to introduce them in an industrial setting in facilities like warehousing environments.
Consider that sensors (like an RFID tag) can be added to make condition monitoring possible in devices that previously didn’t have those capabilities—even a shirt. As we highlighted last year, Wesco deployed wearables in our warehouses as part of a 2021 pilot program with the goal of ensuring warehouse safety. By deploying small sensors the size of a keyfob on the back of employees’ shirts, we sought to reduce the risks associated with manual material handling, specifically spine hazards.
The sensor would vibrate and beep when hazardous movement was detected (in the same way newer cars have lane departure warnings) and stop when the movement was corrected. The goal was to help educate associates about posture, repetition and other factors that could harm them. While this example applies to warehouses, it is transferable to other industries where there is a risk of ergonomic injuries—from manufacturing to construction.
Not only do wearables make employees safer, but employers who invest in them as part of a comprehensive safety program demonstrate their commitment to a culture of safety. In an increasingly competitive hiring landscape, a workplace with a strong safety culture often sees direct links to employee engagement, retention, job satisfaction and a sense of community.
If you want to get started on implementing wearables in your workplace, here are three best practices to consider and some common misconceptions that often get in the way:
Myth 1: You Need All New Technology to Support a Wearables Project
Connected safety solutions are connected to another device, hence the name. This is typically enabled by Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, Cellular or Satellite beacons. The connectivity enables the wearable device to capture data about an event or incident while providing the ability to notify and trigger action. Before you can get started, you’ll need to determine the networking and communications equipment needed to support a wearables environment.
This article originally appeared in the August 1, 2023 issue of Occupational Health & Safety.