Connected Safety>Lone Worker

For decades industrial safety has served as the last bastion for antiquated industrial technology, a haven for technophobes with tight budgets. Within this enclave, the paper is the preferred currency. However, the kingdom walls are crumbling caused by a relentless technological adoption wave by leaders and companies alike. Growing up in the safety industry since the 1980s, I have a deep appreciation for its journey.

However, I am concerned that some may view the "connected safety" wave as a fad and applicable for only those classified as Lone or Remote Workers. I initially understand the inclination; after all, those who do work alone do so at significant risk. Should something happen to them, the ability to act quickly is paramount. But there is considerable value in knowing real-time data from every employee. I am confused about why in the world where even our most mundane of appliances is connected, we don't show the same consumer/industrial enthusiasm for our safety devices. 

A former executive who said, "Why does everyone need an internet connection on their computer? Can't they just print it and put in on someone's desk? Why do we need to spend more on computers and servers?" has been retired for over 30 years. During those 30 years, those technological advances have resulted in tremendous gains for productivity and output in the modern world. That same executive is now communicating via live video with their grandchildren on a $700+ phone as you read this. The potential for connected safety is more significant than knowing when something terrible has already happened, just as routine internet communication is vastly more scalable and superior to relying on phone calls/faxes. In our hearts and minds, we all know the benefits of connectivity. How can we rightfully claim our delayed manifest destiny?

We can start by understanding the vast amount of connections and value that real-time data and, more importantly, insights can provide. I know that this argument does not exist in a vacuum outside of this comfortable reading experience. Nor does it live in a culture of data first. To help make some connections let me state that you are currently reading this article on a connected device. Later today, a data-driven algorithm will deliver news updates or notifications at just the right time. As you are relaxing for the evening, deals will come into your inbox based on your spending. By the time you finish reading this, your company will have made numerous real-time data-driven decisions. Why can't we do this for safety? After all, our outcomes and insights provide us the best deal humanity can buy, a safe existence for today and tomorrow.

Data has become invaluable globally, yet the safety industry still has a hardware first mentality. Particularly within electronic safety devices. When people can touch it and throw it, the endorphins kick in. When ruggedness is confirmed, the mind is at ease, and with low cost affirmed, the buyers' cravings are satisfied. A successful evaluation is handing it to the roughest individual, "Frank," to see how it "holds up with him." Don't get me wrong; Frank's opinion matters much and reliable hardware in harsh environments is essential. But data is where the real potential lies. How much time do you think is spent asking others about the possibility and value of data outputs? Compare that to the purchases of similar departments within the company, and the contrast is striking. 

As we progress, antiquated non-connected hardware will become cheaper each year as producers struggle to differentiate a vastly homogenous marketplace. Arcane data transmission methods are slapped on packages to provide the illusion of capability for bid specs. These only further disguise that we have reached the apex of "beep and flash" driven safety devices, much to the commodity-driven buyer's delight. However, the future return on investment for safety devices, safety professionals', and workers is data that isn't printed on a box or easily held.

Some might say that safety professionals lack creativity. However, as any seasoned safety professional will tell you, coming up with a different way to speak about work at heights at 5 am while battling droopy eyelids requires the utmost creativity. Yet we can be honest that we have struggled to lead with a data-driven mentality as an industry. The entire industry doesn't inherently know what to do with an emerging marketplace full of so many "Internet Things" and "Solutions." It can be overwhelming and confusing.

The path toward understanding is incremental progress and lessons from others. Accordingly, I would like to offer you two helpful resources for your "Connected Journey." The first is a space where ideas have time to breathe, and the complexities explored. This resource is a podcast that I Co-Host called Probability Matters. On the show, we follow health and safety professionals' journey to leverage data and technology for better safety outcomes, while also acknowledging and exploring the underlying baseline human experience. Secondly is a more condensed format in the form of a YouTube channel called Connected Dots. Each short episode focuses on real-world safety problems first, marketplace resources (dots) second, and the relevant solutions (connections). While I encourage you to subscribe to both, it is most vital that you subscribe to an incremental progressive safety mentality.

Click on these links to Follow Probability Matters and Subscribe to Connected Dots:

Kyle Krueger is the Co-Host/Producer of Probability Matters and the Creator/Producer of Connected Dots. He has over 15 years of experience in the gas detection industry in Sales, Product Management, and Support roles.