Priority areas

The use of sensors is behind a big shift in workplace safety. Smart digital systems are protecting workers by maintaining and increasing work safety in potentially hazardous industries. Examples include smart personal protective equipment, wearables that can detect early signs of physical, muscle and mental fatigue, as well as mobile or fixed systems that use sensors or cameras to detect hazards.

Even though these technologies are designed to improve OSH, they also pose challenges and risks. For instance, workers may feel a loss of control over the tasks they perform and become too reliant on technology. This overreliance on technology can contribute to errors and increase the risk of accidents. It is also possible that data collected by the digital systems are inaccurate, limited or even biased. What’s more, these systems collect very sensitive personal data that can be misused for the monitoring and surveillance of workers.

To address all these issues, it is essential to consult workers and their representatives at every step – from the design stage to the implementation.

Check out our campaign resources to find out more.