National Safety Council Releases New Report on Tech Solutions that Prevent Worker Injuries and Save Lives
Following its first survey in 2020, Work to Zero will re-examine the key hazards in the workplace and how risks can be mitigated by implementing innovative technologies.
WASHINGTON , June 27, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, a worker will die every 96 minutes in the United States in 2022, resulting in approximately 5,500 fatal workplace injuries. Unfortunately, this represents an increase of approximately 6% from 2021 and a 3% increase from pre-COVID-19 pandemic levels in 2019. To reverse this devastating trend, the National Safety Council launched the Work to Zero initiative in 2019, funded by the McElhattan Foundation, to educate employers on technological safety enhancements that can reduce workplace fatalities.
In 2020, Work to Zero released its first-ever research report identifying the most relevant hazards in the workplace and the technologies to mitigate those risks, and conducted a survey to understand employer and employee perceptions of workplace safety technology innovations. In 2023, Work to Zero revisited the results of its initial survey to gain a deeper understanding of changes in safety technology implementation over the past three years. Today, NSC is pleased to release the new report. Safety Tech 2024: Explore trends in technology solutions used to reduce serious injuries and fatalities in the workplace.
“At the heart of Work to Zero’s mission is to prevent worker injuries and ultimately save lives,” said Katherine Mendoza, senior director of workplace programs at NSC. “Since this effort began, we’ve found that there are many technology solutions employers can use to reduce risk and keep workers safe. But workplace hazards are constantly changing as job demands evolve, which is why it’s important to regularly assess industry risks to better understand trends and find the right solutions. This report does just that, focusing on the impact of safety technology adoption over a three-year period.”
As part of Work to Zero’s initial research in 2020, employers and employees in high-risk industries were surveyed to understand awareness, attitudes and usage of safety technologies across sectors, as well as their top concerns, most likely exposures and biggest causes of injury. The survey was redeployed in 2023 to explore trends in workplace hazards and safety technology adoption beyond 2020. Key findings include:
- Increased exposure to risk: Both employers and employees reported increased exposure to all workplace risks included in the survey, including fatigue, operating heavy machinery and working at height, with the most significant increases reported by employees.
- Fatigue remains top risk across industries It is the leading cause of workplace injuries. Although workplace violence is considered the least likely to occur, concerns about such incidents increased significantly from 2020 to 2023.
- Enhanced Technology Applicability and Considerations: For every technology surveyed, employers reported that these solutions were related to workplace hazards. Additionally, 83% of employees said they would be open to trying and using new safety technologies in the workplace.
- Use of Technology: The most notable increases in technology use were for risk management software, proximity sensors and drones, while other technology use was relatively similar across surveys.
While technology acceptance and implementation is increasing among employers from 2020 to 2023, more research is needed to bridge the gap between technology consideration and use. For employers, barriers to widespread technology adoption include:
- Resource constraints: Acquisition costs, including initial capital and resource investments, have decreased significantly since 2020 but remain an obstacle for employers.
- Privacy Issues: Concerns regarding data collection, privacy issues and security are top of mind for employers.
- Understand the benefits: Perceptions of current technology and whether it meets the organization’s needs can be a significant barrier and driver to the acceptance of new safety technologies in the workplace.
The report builds on NSC’s Work to Zero Safety Innovation Journey to help organizations assess risks, identify technology solutions and prepare their workplaces for implementation. Funded by the McElhattan Foundation, the Work to Zero initiative aims to eliminate workplace fatalities through the use of technology.
To learn more about creating a safer workplace, visit nsc.org/worktozero.
About the National Safety Council
The National Safety Council is America’s leading nonprofit safety advocacy organization with a 110-year history. As a mission-driven organization, we focus on the workplace and the roadway, working to eliminate the leading causes of preventable death and injury. We create a culture of safety that not only keeps people safe at work, but also helps people live fulfilling lives outside of the workplace.
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Source: National Safety Council
