Are workers open to new safety technologies? NSC explores

Washington — More than 4 out of 5 workers are willing to try safety technologies, a new research report from the Work to Zero initiative at the National Safety Council shows.

Along with using data from the Census of Fatal Occupational Injuries, NSC researchers surveyed 500 employers and 1,000 workers to collect data on the top hazards and associated risks in workplaces.

Both employers (78%) and workers (81%) agreed that fatigue is a “most likely” or “very likely” exposure risk. That was followed by heavy equipment operation, thermal stress, work at height and repair/maintenance – all of which were cited by at least 53% of the respondents. Eighty-three percent of the workers agreed that they’re open to trying and using new safety technologies.

Other findings:

• Construction workers reported the largest number of likely exposure risks (7.1), followed by those in agriculture (6.8) and retail (4.7).
• Construction and agriculture employers reported significantly higher exposure to thermal stress (80%) and heavy equipment operation (79% in construction, 78% in agriculture).
• Fatigue, lack of proper training and lack of workplace awareness were chosen as the top risks causing or contributing to a serious injury at work by all respondents.
• Risk management software (82%), proximity sensors (70%) and robots (58%) showed the biggest increases in interest among employers considering safety technology implementation.

“Workplace hazards are constantly evolving as job demands change, which is why it’s critical to regularly assess industry risks to better understand trends and find the right solutions,” said Katherine Mendoza, senior director of workplace programs at NSC. “This report does precisely that with a focus on the impact of safety technology implementation over a three-year period.”

The report is a follow-up to a 2020 report that reviewed the current state of safety technology and provided insight from numerous environmental, health and safety professionals. It builds on the Work to Zero Safety Innovation Journey to help organizations assess risks, identify technology solutions and ready workplaces for implementation.