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Umbrella term to indicate digital systems for monitoring and enhancing workers’ safety and health including for example smart PPE (that can identify levels of gases, toxins, noise levels and high-risk temperatures), wearables (able to interact with workers, with sensors that may be embedded in hardhats or safety glasses), mobile or static systems that use cameras and sensors (e.g. drones that effectively reach and monitor dangerous areas of work sites avoiding to put humans in danger in the construction and the mining industries). have the potential to improve occupational safety and health (OSH) while also influencing how inclusive and accessible workplaces become. These technologies can help address the specific needs of older and migrant workers, pregnant employees, neurodiverse individuals and people with disabilities, among others. Their potential, however, depends on careful design and implementation. Without appropriate safeguards, these systems may unintentionally exclude or disadvantage the workers they are intended to support.  

Umbrella term to indicate digital systems for monitoring and enhancing workers’ safety and health including for example smart PPE (that can identify levels of gases, toxins, noise levels and high-risk temperatures), wearables (able to interact with workers, with sensors that may be embedded in hardhats or safety glasses), mobile or static systems that use cameras and sensors (e.g. drones that effectively reach and monitor dangerous areas of work sites avoiding to put humans in danger in the construction and the mining industries). expand access to the labour market
Umbrella term to indicate digital systems for monitoring and enhancing workers’ safety and health including for example smart PPE (that can identify levels of gases, toxins, noise levels and high-risk temperatures), wearables (able to interact with workers, with sensors that may be embedded in hardhats or safety glasses), mobile or static systems that use cameras and sensors (e.g. drones that effectively reach and monitor dangerous areas of work sites avoiding to put humans in danger in the construction and the mining industries). provide practical ways to make work safer and more accessible for a wider range of individuals. Through real-time monitoring, wearable devices and digital communication tools, they can address the needs of workers who face barriers in traditional environments and therefore often have lower employment rates than the general population. These systems offer tailored support and adapt to different user needs, particularly for groups that have been overlooked in conventional OSH strategies.

For example, older and pregnant workers can benefit from Wearables are electronic devices with sensors and computational capacity (e.g. smart watches, data glasses, or other devices with embedded sensors or tags), which can be placed on different body parts to gather data to be fed into other digital systems for processing purposes. They can be used to analyse physiological and psychological data such as feelings, sleep, movements, heart rate, body temperature and blood pressure, via applications either installed on the device itself or on external devices, such as smartphones connected to the cloud. and monitoring systems that track fatigue and alert of physically demanding conditions by measuring stress levels or heart rate. People with physical disabilities or ill-health may use solutions such as exoskeletons that reduce strain and monitor vital signs, while workers with hearing impairments can be supported through visual or vibration-based alerts that improve risk awareness. Neurodiverse workers, including people with autism, may benefit from noise-cancelling headphones and low-stimulation lighting and sound settings that reduce cognitive overload. Moreover, migrant workers and non-native speakers can use smart glasses or apps with multilingual instructions to better understand training and safety procedures.

These adaptations not only improve safety but also help to build and retain a more diverse workforce, reduce absenteeism and support long-term health and engagement at work.

Risks and challenges to inclusive use
Despite these opportunities, significant challenges remain. Some smart systems may misinterpret face, gesture and voice signals. For instance, certain facial recognition technologies show higher error rates for specific groups such as young black women, while voice-based systems may fail to recognise the pronunciation of non-native speakers unless this is specifically addressed in the design process. Additionally, biometric data such as blood samples or hormonal levels can vary between ethnic groups, creating a risk of misinterpretation.

Moreover, OSH monitoring systems may not always detect dangerous situations in time. Tools like Smart PPE is the last level of protection to be used against hazards for workers and is used when hazards cannot be removed or their risks cannot be mitigated further by collective or organisational measures, engineering designs or maintenance practices – it combines traditional garments with smart parts, such as sensors, detectors, data transfer modules, batteries, cables. or exoskeletons can lead to over-confidence, creating a false sense of security. They may also introduce new risk factors for musculoskeletal disorders, including restricted movement, skin irritation, discomfort or increased cardiovascular stress. Frequent alerts can become distracting and reduce attention.

Concerns also exist regarding the impact of these technologies on workers’ psychosocial health, including stress or worries related to data collection. If such data is used beyond its intended safety purpose, for instance in decisions on promotion, retention or dismissal, it can lead to discrimination. There is also a risk that focusing on individual adaptations draws attention away from broader structural changes needed to ensure accessibility for all.

Principles for inclusive implementation
The use of smart digital OSH systems for workers with special needs should follow a holistic approach that prioritises structural workplace adaptations over individual ‘quick fixes’. This means applying established principles such as the hierarchy of control, ensuring that the elimination of risks and broader organisational changes come before reliance on personal equipment or individual monitoring. In addition, workers and their representatives should be actively involved in the design and implementation of these systems to improve transparency, reduce the risk of discrimination and provide formal channels for raising concerns.

Data collection and analysis should be tailored to reflect workforce diversity and subject to regular evaluation. For instance, disaggregated feedback can show whether a system benefits one group more than another, showing gaps where additional OSH measures may be required. Finally, providing clear examples, training and guidance on the use and purpose of these systems for both workers with special needs and management can prevent misunderstandings, misuse and unnecessary monitoring.

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