Digital OSH Series #4: Real-Time Monitoring in Occupational Safety and Health - The Overlooked Pillar of Physical Health
In our previous articles, we covered the essential understanding of Occupational Safety and Health (OSH), traditional OSH practices, and the critical questions to ask in the occupational health and safety conversation. In this series, we'll explore the measures taken over the last decade for real-time monitoring and highlight the often-overlooked pillar of physical health.
Real-Time Monitoring: A Decade of Advancements
Over the last ten years, real-time monitoring has transformed the way organizations approach OSH. By leveraging IoT sensors and advanced data analytics, companies can now continuously track and assess various safety metrics, ensuring a proactive stance on hazard identification and risk mitigation. Let's explore how these advancements are being applied in different aspects of OSH:
1. Real-Time Location Workforce Surveillance
In a project co-led by Vickknes Selva , Co-Founder of Heliaa, real-time monitoring was utilized to enhance site safety and hazard management. Vick was a leading member of a team that deployed a digital monitoring system to improve site safety and boost workforce productivity on site. Many companies are now executing these projects up to 25% below budget by capturing and integrating data in near real-time and providing an interactive visual experience to help identify and solve current or impending inefficiencies.
2. IoT Chemical Hazard monitoring
In industries such as oil and gas, manufacturing, and chemical processing, the presence of hazardous gases poses significant risks to worker safety and operational efficiency. Real-time gas monitoring systems are crucial for detecting and managing these risks. These systems utilize advanced IoT sensors and data analytics to continuously monitor the air for dangerous gas concentrations, ensuring a safer working environment.
Why is Gas Monitoring Required?
Gas monitoring is essential in environments where the risk of gas leaks, toxic exposure, or explosive atmospheres exists. These risks can arise from various sources and there are certain conditions requiring gas monitoring ;
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3. Incident Reporting and Investigation: Real-time monitoring facilitates immediate incident reporting and thorough investigations. By providing accurate and timely data, these systems help identify root causes and implement effective preventive measures.
Case Study
At Telekom Malaysia, a digital incident reporting system integrated with real-time monitoring allows employees to report safety concerns promptly. This integration has led to faster incident investigations and resolutions, improving overall safety.
The Overlooked Pillar: Physical Health
While real-time monitoring excels in hazard detection and incident management, the physical health of employees is often neglected. This oversight can have significant repercussions on overall OSH. Work-related musculoskeletal disorders (WMSDs) are a prime example of this gap. These disorders, caused by repetitive strain and poor ergonomics, account for a substantial portion of work-related health issues.
Real-time monitoring is a powerful tool in enhancing workplace safety. However, to achieve comprehensive OSH, organizations must also prioritize the physical health of their employees. By integrating health monitoring solutions and addressing issues like WMSDs proactively, organizations can create safer and healthier workplaces.
Stay tuned for the next part of our series, where we will explore more innovative solutions transforming workplace safety.
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