Redefining workplace safety through digital transformation

Credit: iStock/Getty Images Plus/metamorworks

The construction industry is critical to local communities and businesses around the world. However, due to the nature of the work, it is inherently hazardous, as workers are routinely exposed to risks such as falls from heights, strikes by heavy equipment, electrical shocks, and exposure to harmful substances. Potential dangers at every corner can lead to severe injuries or even fatalities.

In 2022, the Allied Association of Workers’ Compensation Boards of Canada reported 183 construction-related fatalities, the highest among all sectors. These dangers are exacerbated by the often unpredictable nature of construction sites, which can change rapidly as project priorities shift. Ensuring worker safety in high-risk environments requires stringent safety protocols, comprehensive training, and vigilant oversight to mitigate the potential for accidents and injuries.

Today’s industrial health and safety protocols did not emerge overnight. They are the product of decades of development, driven by technological advancements, unfortunate accidents, and an increasing recognition of workers’ rights and welfare. With a deliberate focus on safety, construction companies are introducing new workplace procedures to maintain a safe working environment. The industry is also turning to smart technology worn by workers, providing many benefits to organizations and their employees.

The arrival of smart PPE

According to the Canada Labour Code, employers must provide personal protective equipment (PPE) to every necessary person in a workplace. Innovative smart PPE has entered the market, transforming how construction operators approach safety and documentation.

Safety helmets, vests, and harnesses now have embedded technology that stores information about the equipment and the employee, including medical information and a history of the equipment’s health. This approach gained traction in outdoor action sports through snow and biking helmets. This ability to store information on the PPE proved beneficial to the people on the scene, including friends and first responders. Smart PPE allows companies to reimagine, streamline, and digitize business operations and improve safety.

On-board medical information

When someone is severely injured or incapacitated on a job site, every second matters. Employees on the scene will administer aid while first responders are en route. Once responders arrive, they need a download of the incident and then must pivot to routine medical tests to assess a person’s condition.

Integrating critical medical information about a wearer into the PPE, accessible by scanning the equipment with a smartphone, can significantly speed up a first responder’s course of action. It allows them to access critical information about a patient, including existing health conditions such as diabetes and heart issues, known allergies to medicines such as penicillin, and emergency contacts without needing to remove PPE, which could cause further physical harm.

Work-related documents

A forthcoming feature of some smart PPE is the capability to store work-related documents such as training records and certificates. Workers will upload their training records and certifications directly to their smart PPE, eliminating the need for physical copies. This digital storage system allows for easy, on-demand sharing of credentials.

This provides a simplified way for safety managers and directors to oversee and monitor the validity of these documents. Managers can access a comprehensive overview of their workers’ certifications, including expiration dates, through a centralized digital platform. This system reduces the administrative burden and errors associated with manual record-keeping.

Proactive monitoring through smart PPE ensures timely certification renewals, maintaining compliance with safety regulations. Automatic alerts about upcoming expirations enable managers to facilitate renewals efficiently, ensuring all employees remain properly trained. This digital transformation not only simplifies verification but also enhances the accuracy and reliability of training records, contributing to a safer and more efficient work environment.

Inventory management and inspection tracking

The Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety (CCOHS) asserts that organizations must maintain specific requirements for PPE, such as keeping gear in proper working order and replacing it if it’s damaged or expired. Companies must keep track of this equipment and typically do so with traditional methods like pen and paper. It’s then up to safety managers and their teams to track equipment manually. Some worksites might individually affix QR code stickers to PPE to track the equipment digitally, but this process adds steps and reduces efficiency.

With technology pre-installed into the equipment, safety managers can use mobile devices to scan, log, and continuously track equipment during and after distribution. The equipment can even provide employees with proactive reminders for upcoming inspections or expired equipment. Companies can then use existing safety or inventory management software to keep track of equipment, simplifying the process for employers to meet CCOHS requirements.

Equipment self-checks

Safety is a mutual responsibility of employers and employees, and companies must train their workers to inspect gear properly. Traditionally, workers might visually inspect the equipment or be required to have a co-worker assist them in doing so. Employers can now use smart PPE to enforce routine equipment self-checks. Workers can follow a structured, thorough process to inspect equipment using an app on their mobile phones. Employers can then use their safety-oriented software to determine if employees follow procedures and if the equipment meets standards.

Challenges and considerations of digital PPE transformation

While technology is proven to affect business profoundly, employees may not always welcome change with open arms.

As with any equipment, there are associated upfront implementation costs. If companies don’t currently use inventory software, they must acquire it to fully benefit from smart PPE. With companies already carrying the burden and expense of providing PPE to employees, equipment costs are similar to standard-issue PPE.

Finally, employers must train workers to use the new PPE to administer equipment checks and set up medical ID features. While this takes initial time and effort, it can be integrated into existing onboarding processes once the technology is implemented.

Digital transformation for safety preparedness

The digital transformation of PPE on construction sites represents a significant opportunity for technological and safety advancement with tangible benefits for employers and employees.

By leveraging technology, companies can ensure compliance with safety regulations, reduce the risk of accidents, help responders move faster when accidents occur, and improve overall operational efficiency. For employees, digital tracking enhances safety by providing real-time monitoring and immediate access to necessary equipment, fostering a safer and more secure work environment. While technology adoption and employee acceptance are required, this evolution can boost productivity and accountability and further underscore a company’s commitment to worker welfare and operational excellence. It’s time for companies to move beyond pen and paper to organize their business.

Christian Connolly is CEO of Twiceme.