Big data is changing the economy in extraordinary ways. A growing number of companies are using big data technology for a variety of purposes. One of the biggest benefits of big data is that it can improve safety.
Forbes contributor Bernard Marr has a great article on the benefits of big data in workplace safety. His article, The New Frontier In Workplace Safety: Data Analytics And AI, talks about some of the big benefits of data analytics and AI in making workplaces safer. They have reduced fatigue-related accidents by 90% and lower back problems by 85%.
Serious injuries can happen at your workplace if the conditions aren’t conducive to your work or if you are negligent during the process. Though such risks are highest in the construction industry, workers across all sectors are vulnerable to such injuries. However, the potential of big data to significantly contribute to accident prevention at the workplace, whether for full-time or contract workers, is a reason for optimism. The Campbell Institute has a great guide on this topic. Let’s explore this empowering potential!
Understanding Big Data
Big data are complicated data sets that cannot be managed by traditional computer processing. This responsibility falls upon modern analytics platforms, which can collate unstructured data and organize it in real time into digestible datasets.
Integration Of Big Data Into Workplace
More and more industries around the globe are opening their doors to cutting-edge technologies, ranging from machine sensors to wearable devices, drones, and more, that offer usable information to safety departments. These departments, in turn, are using these datasets to monitor workers’ activities, ensure the proper functioning of all work equipment, and create a safe working environment. As companies study the data and carry out predictive analysis, they can understand why employees fall and predict which employees are most likely to incur similar accidents in the future.
Statistical techniques, such as data mining, examining both current and past data, and predictive modeling, can help organizations anticipate future events. This is important in critical industries like construction, mining, and manufacturing.
- Wearables can help monitor a worker’s vitals over an extended time. This can help monitor their fatigue levels, which can significantly affect their performance and judgment. Coupled with this information, the safety department can provide insights into which roles will suit a worker better and the maximum duration of their shifts.
- Work equipment and machinery departments can communicate with engineering and maintenance departments using IOT sensors to ensure the critical equipment works properly and doesn’t falter during operation.
- Workers report on-site incidents, which are then categorized in real-time. These are then stored in an organization’s single data repository and analyzed. This helps recognize key accident trends and point out specific processes and activities that are the riskiest. Coupled with such knowledge, corrective actions can be taken to mitigate future safety concerns.
Ways To Improve Workplace Safety Using Data-Driven Analytics
A company can bank on statistics gathered by data technicians to implement new strategies that guarantee better results. Let’s take a look at the four ways in which big data can improve workplace safety:
- For starters, it promotes a safety culture in your workplace. In hazardous industries, the management will provide workers with Personal Protective Gear to carry out their operations. They will also conduct standard inspections to ensure they comply with the local safety guidelines.
- Every employer aspires to boost the productivity of their workers. However, the workplace might go into peril with an unfortunate safety hazard. This can cause a waste of time and an additional cost to the organization. Big data analytics can suggest replacing humans with machines or equipment in high-risk areas. It can also analyze past events to develop a safety performance metric that workers and supervisors should follow in all cases.
All of these benefits need to be taken into consideration, so companies can recognize the value of investing in data-driven approaches to workplace safety.
Conclusion
Big data technology has led to a number of major changes in the world of business. One of the biggest benefits is that it can improve workplace safety.
Organizations worldwide are becoming more proactive to ensure a safe space for employees to unleash their optimum potential. Nonetheless, accidents might happen, and if you or any of your loved ones incur a personal injury, such as a slip and fall, in your workplace due to the callousness of your organization, then you can file a compensation claim. Professionals can serve as valuable allies in this process with their years of experience and profound subject knowledge.
