How AI Technology is Revolutionising Safety
Artificial Intelligence (AI) wearable technology is transforming workplace safety and productivity in the UK. Here, Graham Sharp, Managing Director of health and safety experts, Stanley, demonstrates the benefits of this technology.
Wearable technology is particularly useful in sectors where bending, reaching, lifting and carrying is the norm, e.g., manufacturing, engineering and construction, where accident rates including musculoskeletal injuries are often high. These AI devices also bring with them the ability to analyse and interpret detailed data from the wearer’s device, find weaknesses, and help inform future workplace health and safety policy within organisations.
Prevention is the cure
Some of the fastest growing technologies within the health and safety space are AI driven ergonomic wearable solutions. These usually come in the form of small devices which are clipped onto the body and alert the wearer of risky movement through haptic feedback. Each individual’s movement is recorded and analysed to help build a data map of potential risk and see what patterns are emerging from the data.
One of the newest of these to the UK, is WearHealth’s easy to use out-of-the-box ergonomic solution, which can be clipped onto the body in a position most suited to the task being performed. The compact kit comes with 20-30 devices that can be tested over the course of two months across the business at a fixed fee and rotated around different workers. At the end of that time, health and safety managers can use the data collected from wearers to assess behaviour change, measure the accident rate statistics and gain feedback from users. The device guarantees a 30% plus, reduction in accident rates after only two months.
Anti-collision technology
Alongside behaviour change technology, clip on body worn technology prevents accidents between workers and machines. For example, Modjoul’s wearable SmartBelt is able to communicate with forklift drivers and other workers in the vicinity, while simultaneously measuring ergonomics and environmental factors. If a forklift is nearby, the SmartBelt technology will alert both the driver of the forklift and the individual concerned so that they can avoid each other or, in the most severe cases, automatically stop the truck to prevent a collision. This is particularly useful in areas where vision may be restricted such as blind corners, meaning that in workplaces where workers and forklifts co-exist together, processes can operate more safely than ever before.
Exoskeleton solutions for musculoskeletal disorders
Wearable technologies like exoskeleton suits can be used to help take the load, providing support to workers and keeping them safe when they have to lift or move heavy objects repetitively. For example, WearHealth scanning technology is able to match the right exoskeleton suit to the activity being performed with the aim of ensuring that daily tasks can be performed without the risk of injury. Video scanning technology is used to assess a particular task, make recommendations for possible exoskeleton suits and then reporting on this with data analysis of the activity. Sensors worn by the worker determines comfort and support based on real time data generated during the task. The right exoskeleton for that task can then be fitted and used as required based on the potential effectiveness and usability.
AI wearable technology is already making a difference in workplaces across the UK, creating happier, healthier and safer workforces, and automatically bringing greater productivity and efficiency gains to those who have embraced it.
Stanley’s experts work with businesses to transform workplace safety, reduce manual handling injuries, improve efficiencies and reduce costs by matching them with the most effective solutions in AI data driven wearable safety technology.
