‘Advancing Workplace Safety with Location Geofencing’: New white paper from NSC

Washington — Location geofencing is the subject of the latest white paper from the National Safety Council’s Work to Zero initiative.

Location geofencing provides virtual barriers for construction sites, machine operating zones and other defined areas. It’s often used with other technologies such as wearables, proximity sensors and vehicle monitoring systems.

“This enables real-time monitoring and alerts when workers enter or leave designated zones, enhancing their safety,” NSC says. “For example, when an object – like a worker or equipment – enters or exits the area, predetermined actions are triggered, such as logging the event, alerting workers of potential hazards or disabling machinery.”

Benefits of using the technology include:
Risk mitigation: The technology serves as an effective risk mitigation tool by alerting workers and supervisors of potential hazards, improving situational awareness and enabling two-way communication for workers.
Enhanced worksite visibility: Geofencing increases worksite visibility, enabling data-informed decisions for site planning and safety measures.
Improved efficiency: Automation of safety processes reduces the need for continuous human supervision, optimizing resource allocation and safety management.

The paper also looks at barriers to implementing the technology, including privacy concerns, high initial costs and technological limitations.

“Workers on active jobsites are often exposed to situations that pose a high risk for serious injuries and fatalities, including in construction, vehicle-pedestrian interactions and heavy equipment operation,” said John Dony, vice president of workplace strategy at NSC. “Acknowledging how this is a major concern for workers across many industries, this report provides invaluable insights into leveraging location geofencing technology to mitigate risks and help ensure employee well-being."

NSC will host a webinar on location geofencing and workplace safety at noon Central on May 29. Registration is required.

The Work to Zero initiative, launched in 2019 with financial support from the McElhattan Foundation, seeks to eliminate workplace fatalities by 2050 through identifying technological innovations and informing stakeholders.