Technological Innovations and HRM Best Practices for Increasing Workplace Safety

 

(Studd, 2023)

With the use of technology, the modern digital era is changing many aspects of corporate operations, including workplace safety. Human resource management (HRM) experts are crucial in leveraging these technological advancements to create safer work environments. In order to increase workplace security and ultimately foster a culture of prevention and safety, this blog looks at cutting-edge technologies and HRM best practices.

Enhancing Safety Monitoring

(OHS, 2022)

A linked safety solution consists of a cloud-based software platform that interfaces with wearable technology and other Internet of Things (IoT) safety equipment at the workplace to show data in real time.

In essence, it is the Industrial IoT (IIoT), but with an emphasis on safety. A network of linked devices called the Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT) is used to plan, maintain, monitor, optimize, and analyze industrial operations in order to obtain real-time insights and make better decisions (OHS, 2022). This refers to the advancement of wearable technology from basic monitors with simply personal alarms to a network of connected devices that can combine worn gas detectors with area monitors and even additional sensor devices via cloud connectivity. Data enters intelligent cloud-based software for reporting and analysis, and monitoring staff can relay safety information back.

Advantages

1. Real-time monitoring: Internet of Things (IoT) sensors integrated into infrastructure, machinery, and other devices continuously gather information on a range of environmental factors, including humidity, temperature, air quality, and noise levels. Organizations may quickly spot deviations from safe operating procedures and take preventative action to deal with possible risks before they become serious enough to cause safety accidents, thanks to this real-time monitoring (Zhoujing et al., 2024).
2. Identifying and Preventing Hazards: sensors have the ability to identify and prevent dangerous situations, such as gas leaks, chemical spills, or equipment faults. This allows for prompt action to either prevent accidents or lessen their effects. In the event of a leak, for instance, sensors fitted with gas detectors can immediately set off alerts and initiate shutdown processes, reducing the chance of exposure to dangerous materials (Zhoujing et al., 2024).
3. Employee Health and Safety: Wearables with IoT sensors, like smart helmets, safety vests, or wristbands, can track vital signs, identify falls or other incidents, and send out real-time notifications in the event of an emergency. In addition to improving worker safety, these devices let companies monitor employees' health and take quick action in the event of an emergency or an incident involving exhaustion (Zhoujing et al., 2024).
4. Enhanced Situational Awareness: IoT sensors and wearable devices track employee movements and interactions with their surroundings, giving businesses important information about high-traffic areas, possible collision locations, and workflow patterns. By using this data, workplace layouts may be made more efficient, traffic flow can be enhanced, and preventive measures can be put in place to reduce the likelihood of accidents and injuries (Zhoujing et al., 2024).
5. Compliance and Documentation: Internet of Things (IoT) sensors produce copious amounts of data that are useful for incident investigation, safety performance monitoring, and regulatory compliance. Through automated environmental and personnel activity recording, companies can expedite compliance reporting, carry out comprehensive root cause analysis, and detect patterns or trends suggestive of systemic safety concerns (Zhoujing et al., 2024).
6. Personalization and Flexibility: Internet of Things-based safety solutions are adaptable to the unique requirements and difficulties of various sectors, workplaces, and positions. These technologies are applicable in a variety of settings, including manufacturing plants, building sites, and offices. They are flexible enough to adjust to changing safety regulations and operating conditions, making them useful in a range of scenarios (Zhoujing et al., 2024).

Training with Virtual Reality (VR) and Simulation

(HTX, 2024)

 In the field of occupational safety, virtual reality (VR) and simulation training have become indispensable resources for immersive learning. Using virtual reality (VR), staff members can participate in interactive training simulations that simulate risky events, emergency responses, and safety procedures.

 As more businesses realize virtual reality has potential for training and development, its relevance in HR is growing. HR professionals can build interactive and engaging training modules that increase knowledge retention and application by utilizing virtual reality technology. Human resources organizations may analyze employee performance in realistic circumstances thanks to the unique assessment opportunities provided by virtual reality. Visualize a situation wherein recently hired staff members can participate in virtual on-boarding, tour the new workplace, communicate with virtual coworkers, and become acquainted with corporate regulations and procedures. In addition to saving human resources departments time and money, this interactive on-boarding process makes new hires feel more at ease and prepared (Institute of Data, 2023).

Realistic Scenario Replication: Businesses may recreate risky or hazardous scenarios in a secure virtual environment by utilizing virtual reality (VR) technology. Without really placing themselves in risk, workers can practice responding to a range of safety issues, such as industrial accidents and emergency evacuations.

Interactive and Interesting Training: Workers can actively engage in virtual items, take part in simulated scenarios, and make decisions that affect how the training goes. This practical method encourages critical thinking, problem-solving, and active learning while working.

Cost-effective Training Solution: VR training delivers long-term cost benefits by eliminating the need for physical training facilities, equipment maintenance, and instructor-led sessions, even though the initial investment in VR hardware and software may be substantial. Organizations can recover their investment over time through decreased incidents, increased worker productivity, and improved safety results.

Customers want businesses to offer more virtual tours so that prospective employees can see the workplace in its entirety before accepting an offer. For instance, to create a dynamic and engaging 360-degree experience that reassures new workers about their safety and comfort in their workplaces, Deloitte has hired the skills of Blend Media (Kulathunga, 2023). In the workplace of the metaverse, teams and organizational structures are expected to experience significant changes. Over the past two years, the workforce has transformed into a hybrid structure where meetings and collaboration take place on digital platforms (Kulathunga, 2023). By promoting interaction with hands-free gadgets and avatars, the metaverse will transform the workplace and lead to much more vibrant and immersive group discussions and cooperation (Kulathunga, 2023).

Reference list

HTX (2024). [Featured News] Taking SCDF training to the next level with XR and VR. [online] HTX Corporate. Available at: https://www.htx.gov.sg/news/featured-news-taking-scdf-training-to-the-next-level-with-xr-and-vr [Accessed 5 Apr. 2024].

Institute of Data (2023). The Impact of Virtual Reality in HR Training and Development | Institute of Data. [online] Institute of Data. Available at: https://www.institutedata.com/blog/virtual-reality-in-hr-training/#:~:text=Virtual%20reality%20simulates%20challenging%20workplace [Accessed 5 Apr. 2024].

Kulathunga, S. (2023). HR Management. [online] LMD. Available at: https://lmd.lk/hr-management/ [Accessed 4 Apr. 2024].

OHS (2022). How Wearable Technology is Transforming Safety and the Industrial Workplace -. [online] Occupational Health & Safety. Available at: https://ohsonline.com/articles/2022/05/01/how-wearable-technology.aspx.

Studd, S. (2023). 4 factors that highlight the importance of workplace training. [online] Vevox. Available at: https://www.vevox.com/blog/the-importance-of-workplace-training.

Zhoujing , Y., Wei, Y., Yang, S., Li, P., Yang, F., Yang, B. and Wang, L. (2024). IoT-enhanced smart road infrastructure systems for comprehensive real-time monitoring. Internet of Things and Cyber-Physical Systems, [online] 4, pp.235–249. doi:https://doi.org/10.1016/j.iotcps.2024.01.002.