Emerging technologies are shaping the future of work. They play an important role in enhancing efficiencies and improving WHS outcomes. To maximise the benefits to businesses, HSE professionals must have a defined approach on how to integrate technology into their safety strategies.

By developing a purposeful collaboration between tech and safety teams, HSE leaders can ensure a thoughtful and responsible implementation of digital transformation is executed. Read on to learn more...

The fourth industrial revolution is upon us, creating a remarkable convergence of the physical, digital, and biological worlds. With workplaces evolving at a rapid rate, technology is now being embedded in ways never previously imagined. Digital can help boost productivity, improve safety, lift engagement, and raise compliance.

HSE professionals who are smart about digital can use emerging technologies to step change health and safety. “I truly believe that technology has some answers that we haven't looked to explore,” said safety technologist Cameron Stevens at a recent Safe Step webinar “We need to be more strategic around looking at how technology and digital innovation can improve health and safety outcomes.

Organisations with an innovative approach to safety are re-writing the rule books, improving outcomes, and attracting top HSE talent. Melbourne Water, for example, has seen a considerable lift in engagement and compliance by moving from paper to apps, through the adoption of Virtual Reality training simulators, and developing a range of other safety innovations. 

Before investing in the latest tech fads, it is important for HSE leaders to assess where they sit now in terms of tech-maturity and then look ahead 3-5 years. Also assess the willingness of your organisation to follow-through with proposed changes. Do they already have a clearly articulated digital strategy? Or will further nurturing be required to shift mindsets regarding safety tech?

A wide range of skills are useful when mapping-out how to integrate digital into a WHS strategy. “There's some technology topics, there's mindset topics, and there's digital transformation skills that run across the board,” says Mr Stevens.

Here are Cameron Steven’s tips on gaining a stronger voice when responding to the emerging technology trends shaping the future of work:

Foundational tech topics for safety professionals 

Ramp-up your digital literacy by learning about these foundational areas of technology:

• Connectivity – Being able to capture information from anywhere within the organisation in real time.
• Mobility – Technology can extend your reach beyond the office, to the front line, and beyond. Mobile technology may include smart phones, laptops, wearable computers, and voice activated devices.
• Data – Consider the ability for you to capture, transfer and structure data, then analyze the information you’ve collected and communicate it back the business.
• Artificial Intelligence – The ability of machines and systems to perform more sophisticated and faster evaluations than you can.

How we can help

Newly created “technical and innovation” roles will become more common as technology adoption in the workplace accelerates. The Safe Step can work with you to help scope out these roles and define the position description. 

As HSE recruitment experts we have deep connections within the health, safety and environment space and can put you in touch with high-quality people and a great range of roles.