How To Use Technology To Promote Health And Safety In The Workplace

 

Employees are major assets of any company. They’re considered the blood that runs through the veins of any business, keeping it alive and profitable. A happy, satisfied, and motivated employee will deliver 101% of their best, and will contribute more to the company’s growth and success. But aside from that, maintaining their safety is also a key factor. The good news is, with the modern technology we have now, promoting workplace safety can be easier for employers.

Wearable Technology

Technology that can be worn continues to be popular not only for leisure but for occupational purposes too. 

Smartwatches with a fitness tracker are the most popular wearable technology. Designed to measure heart rate, sleep quality, and caloric intake, fitness trackers are a popular accessory these days. In more modern medical facilities, health care workers can be required to wear a smartwatch to measure and identify sudden changes in their heart rate, which could signal a medical emergency.

In an office setting, data gathered from the workers’ smartwatches may provide management with better ideas on how to create a wellness program for their employees.  It can also instantly tell when an employee has a fever or is not feeling well, thereby requiring medical intervention or they may be sent home to rest and recuperate. 

HVAC Technology

The quality of air in workplaces is vital in maintaining the overall health of employees. Indoor air quality not only affects the comfort of an employee but also their overall wellness. 

Poor air quality in the workplace could lead to a lot of problems in one’s health including headaches, and irritation of the eyes, skin, throat, and lungs. It could also lead to trouble concentrating, which will definitely affect the work output of your employees. 

This is why it’s also good to invest in HVAC technology that can help purify indoor air like Airfixture’s commercial air filtration systems. This will give your office space the optimal air quality you need for your employees.

Breathing clean air is non-negotiable. A company that’s concerned with addressing the workplace air quality of their employees shows that they genuinely care for their well-being. 

VR (Virtual Reality) And AR (Augmented Reality) Headsets 

Another wearable technology is AR or VR headsets. These are used mostly by industrial corporations with highly hazardous workplaces.  They utilize VR and AR Headsets to practice and train employees in a simulated environment before they begin their actual job. This helps to avoid injuries, thus promoting a safer workplace for employees.  Anticipating the outcome of any new task in a job and mitigating risks is vital to the safety of employees, and employers who care to take such measures are the best to work for. 

Desktop Ergonomics Software

This particular technology is highly utilized by companies in the IT industry, usually in their offices to minimize RSI or Repetitive Strain Injury caused by prolonged use of computers. The software is installed in the computers of their office staff, which acts as a monitor that freezes a computer at a given time, signaling the user to take a break from using their computers for a specified time. 

This is useful to avoid eye strain, migraine, and carpal tunnel syndrome. Most IT professionals are glued to their screens when they work and a lot of times don’t want to be disturbed so as not to interrupt their train of thought or flow of ideas. This may result in stress disorders or injuries. When this software is installed in their computers, they won’t have a choice but to stop and take a rest.

Smart Lighting

Another technology that promotes health and safety among employees is smart lighting. This technology not only automates the schedule for turning the lights on and off in a particular space, but it also intelligently adjusts the intensity of light at any given time to ensure workers are comfortable. During a peak and frenzied hour in the workplace when everything is brightly illuminated, one can just press on their phones and dim a portion of the office space to suit their lighting needs. 

Lighting affects mood, which is an important factor in productivity. Good mood affects productivity positively, which means it can also improve the quantity and quality of your employees’ output.  

Robots

Workers in engineering fields are often exposed to hazardous occupational conditions. To minimize the safety hazards in their workplace, employers may use robots to access hazardous and difficult-to-reach locations such as tunnels to inspect the area before workers go inside. This can prove to be very practical and beneficial as it minimizes accidents in the workplace. 

Conclusion

Investing in the safety, health, and wellness of your employees may put a strain in your pocket in the beginning, but the benefits outweigh the cost greatly. A happy, safe, and satisfied employee will deliver the best for your company and will motivate others to do the same. This will give you a shorter ROI and bigger profits in the long run.