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Jonlukejackson  
#1 Posted : 18 September 2017 14:22:42(UTC)
Rank: Forum user
Jonlukejackson

There is a lot of new technology available for the workplace these days aimed at improving safety,  increasing effiency and data capture, such as AR, bluethooth operated HAV and Noise Monitors, Risk Assessments Apps, Auditing Apps, and also lone working apps to name a few.

I see a lot of  recent press on companies embracing technology but also see many companies prohibit use of mobile devices (potential distraction), which most of this technology relies on.

Majority of young people interact with there smart device 150  plus times a day, are we missing a trick on communicating contextual relevant  information to them?

Is the introduction / acceptance of technology across industries really as easy as these articles make out?

I was wondering peoples views on the introduction of technology and mobile devices into the work place aimed at improving work place safety? 

A Kurdziel  
#2 Posted : 18 September 2017 15:03:48(UTC)
Rank: Super forum user
A Kurdziel

I work in a University and the young people we dealing with seem locked into their pieces of technology. Rather than look where they are going they instead spend their time looking at whatever on their little screens. Not surprisingly this often consists of inane games such as Pokémon or dull social media. The use of such devices is banned in practical lab classes. In this environment students need to be fully aware of what they are doing and what is going on.

On the other hand some lecturers are very good at integrating the use of social media into teaching and students are encouraged to use this stuff in a suitable manner to enhance their learning.

The same can apply to any workplace. The technology can be a distraction but if used correctly can be a useful tool. Unfortunately the number of useful tools that have been developed is currently limited (and expensive). For example I have seen apps that can read a label on chemical reagents and then download the relevant SDS.

thanks 1 user thanked A Kurdziel for this useful post.
lorna on 25/09/2017(UTC)
Jonlukejackson  
#3 Posted : 20 September 2017 09:48:08(UTC)
Rank: Forum user
Jonlukejackson

Totally agree if used correctly could open many options to improve H&S, and improve engagement.

Sure over the next couple of years there will be an increased amount of technology available at affordable prices.

KieranD  
#4 Posted : 23 September 2017 17:34:06(UTC)
Rank: Super forum user
KieranD

Jonlukejackson

Ergonomic design of work can include optimising safety, health and wellbeing as well as other goals.  

To follow up the host of possible ways in which this can be and sometimes is being done, raise your question on the LinkedIn group of the Chartered Institute of Ergonomics and Human Factors (CIEHF, and also visit the website of the CIEHF.  Ergonomics relates work design to safety, health and wellbeing by relating measuremenets of equipment, machines, handtools and systems to measurements of the body segments of human operators and to resaerch on perception, information processing, decision-making, memory and communication.

Sadly, some busy safety/health specialists fill noticeboards with messages that very few, including directors, can recall even 30 minutes after they've passed them by.  Then, having accustomed everyone to routine gobbledegook,  the specialists wonder why they're not taken seriously.

 

A Kurdziel  
#5 Posted : 25 September 2017 08:13:43(UTC)
Rank: Super forum user
A Kurdziel

The problem with IT (in Health and Safety but also in general)

  1. Some people don’t get it and just avoid it
  2. Some people know what they want to achieve but have no idea how to go about implementing their ideas as useful applications
  3.  Some people know what IT is capable of and try to implement their ideas but end having to compromise because IT never works as promised(see next point)
  4. The people who create new IT systems are not really interested in providing something useful-they seem to be mainly interested in creating products that lock people into particular software so that they can then make money charging people by “supporting” their flawed products.
thanks 1 user thanked A Kurdziel for this useful post.
DavidGault on 25/09/2017(UTC)
DavidGault  
#6 Posted : 25 September 2017 08:53:27(UTC)
Rank: Forum user
DavidGault

Originally Posted by: A Kurdziel Go to Quoted Post

The problem with IT (in Health and Safety but also in general)

  1. Some people don’t get it and just avoid it
  2. Some people know what they want to achieve but have no idea how to go about implementing their ideas as useful applications
  3.  Some people know what IT is capable of and try to implement their ideas but end having to compromise because IT never works as promised(see next point)
  4. The people who create new IT systems are not really interested in providing something useful-they seem to be mainly interested in creating products that lock people into particular software so that they can then make money charging people by “supporting” their flawed products.
I agree completely, particularly with point 4.  If software companies got their product right and provided customers with what they need then there would not be any need for ongoing maintenance contracts that cost thousands of pounds.
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