Keys to Introducing Wearable Safety Technology By / Kyle Hubregtse “Technology is taking us all over” is the most prolific comment I’ve heard lately, most recently from a crew member on a construction jobsite in the southeastern United States. When introducing wearable safety technology, organizations must employ knowledge, listening, and patience. It’s true that technology has permeated many aspects of our life. It’s now commonplace to have new technology in our pockets and on the limbs of our bodies as our interest in convenience, productivity, health, and well-being increases. The early days of counting steps or calories were engaging, but technology has evolved significantly since then. Now, physiological data can be captured and analyzed in real time to promote peak performance and predict adverse health events, promoting interventions to change the course of a potential 16 » Partners in Progress » www.pinp.org
health risk. Such technical devices are increasingly being used by companies to monitor safety and productivity. The power of health data is bringing valuable benefits to both individuals and their workforce. The choice to use a wearable device that measures and tracks personal health data is easier when wearers have confidence that the data the body is creating are safe and secure. Smart wearables as personal protective equipment (PPE) are emerging on worksites, and the first question from a worker is often: “Is my personal data safe?” This is followed by questions such as “Where does my data go?” or “Who is watching me and my data?” and “Why is using wearables important?” These questions must be addressed and taken seriously… over and over again.
