A whole new meaning of workplace fashion

Technology can improve just about every aspect of our lives. It's made us safer in our homes and cars. And now what we wear or carry to work can make us safer there, too.

Safety technology that you can wear or carry isn't as futuristic as it sounds. In fact, you might be surprised at the products already in use.

Apps and sensors

Sound level meters. A NIOSH study found the SPLnFFT app packs the most accuracy bang for the buck.

"Lone worker" apps. Several apps, such as Find My Friends, are good for employees who work alone for extended periods of time. (We recommend those that use GPS instead of Wi-Fi.)

Pressure sensors. Prevents the collapse of a warehouse shelf by notifying a forklift operator if a load will exceed the shelf's capacity

Anti-sleep apps. Among the various kinds of smartphone apps is one that focuses on the driver's eyes and sounds an alarm when they close.

Other devices protect workers by evaluating their surroundings. Some use GPS to alert a worker who's in an area with known environmental hazards, like the one that monitors the temperature and notifies the worker if exposure to the cold is putting her at risk.

"It's important to note that products like sound level meters shouldn't be used in place of laboratory-calibrated devices for determining OSHA compliance," advises Scott Clark, senior safety management consultant at SAIF.

Wearable technology

Radiation badge (aka radiation dosimeter). Passively measures the amount of radiation a worker has been exposed to; one product uses a microchip housed in a special ring.

Anti-sleep devices. The most common of these are alarms that fit over the ear or attach to a hat and are triggered by the angle of the driver's head. StopSleep, worn like a ring, uses sensors to measure electrodermal activity and sounds an alarm when concentration levels drop. stopsleep.biz

Halo Light. Safety and task light that attaches to any standard hard hat and produces a 360-degree ring of light; illumagear.com

Cool Shirt. For hot environments; it comes with an attached compact cooling unit that lasts up to seven hours. coolshirt.com/industry

Fitbit and other wearable health monitors. When used over the long term, these can help improve worker health and wellness, thereby keeping them safer.

Other tech benefits

Aside from the obvious benefits (and the "cool" factor), technology used effectively can improve safety in additional ways.

For example, the best time to get safety information is right before performing a task. Technology like iBeacon from Apple uses proximity sensors to determine a worker's task and location, and then instantly delivers safety information and training, such as a video.

On a larger scale, "smart factories," powered by mobile and wearable technology, can provide data on an entire facility's operations to help workers and managers prevent injuries.

Experts doubt that inconvenience will be an issue. "People are becoming used to wearing small computers, like a Fitbit or a smartwatch. So adjusting to small, wearable safety devices won't be unusual," said Chuck Easterly, SAIF loss control manager.

And as wearable and portable safety products become more popular, prices are bound to drop—making them accessible for more employers. All of which makes for a bright future—literally-for workers and those who employ them.

More info

For more help keeping workers safe, download the resources in our "Preventing injuries" section on saif.com.

Fave feedback

Got a favorite wearable or portable safety device? Tell us about it: email us at compnews@saif.com.

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