January 12, 2024 Workplace Safety Starts With An Integrated Approach

Industrial employee safety needs to encompass both physical and mental health to reduce injuries, enhance engagement, and foster positivity.

By: Carrie Merck, Director of Connected Technologies at Ansell Inteliforz

Understanding the Multifaceted Nature of Employee Safety

Musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) are the most common disabling workplace injuries and can be difficult to prevent, underlining the need for a multifaceted safety strategy. Shockingly, disengaged employees are reported to have 64% more accidents, emphasizing the direct correlation between employee engagement and safety outcomes. Workplace injuries, costing U.S. businesses more than $1 billion per week, underscore the financial repercussions of overlooking safety protocols.

Embracing gender and racial/ethnic diversity is not just a social responsibility but a key driver of business success. Reports from Fast Company and McKinsey reveal that companies with above-average gender and ethnic diversity, coupled with high employee engagement, outperform their counterparts by 46% to 58% and are 35% more likely to excel, respectively. This highlights the interconnectedness of employee safety, diversity, and engagement in fostering a thriving workplace.

Technology as the Catalyst for Change

As we navigate this transformative period, technology emerges as a pivotal force in advancing employee safety. The amalgamation of big data, connectivity, and AI/ML modeling allows us to shift from a reactive to a preventive safety approach. By leveraging technology, we can predict risks, avoid incidents before they cause harm, and stay two steps ahead of potential threats.

Connectivity is the linchpin in this paradigm shift. Moving from a population-based safety approach to personalized solutions, technology enables us to tailor safety measures down to an individual’s specific age, gender, location, and other pertinent factors. This personalized approach ensures that safety protocols are not only effective but also resonate with the unique needs of each employee.

A Collective Endeavor for Sustainable Growth

Ansell envisions safety not merely as a set of protocols but as a collective endeavor that transcends the confines of the workplace. This holistic perspective aligns with the principles of Industry 5.0, where the integration of technology, sustainability, and profitability defines a new frontier.

By embracing technology, we can enable this transition into a collective safety endeavor.  The confluence of big data, connectivity, and AI/ML modeling empowers us to create a predictive and preventive safety ecosystem. In doing so, we don’t just protect our employees; we also contribute to the well-being of the planet in harmony with sustainable growth and profitability.

Riding the Wave of Change

As we stand at the precipice of this transformative era, the call to action is clear: stay ahead of the wave before it overtakes you. Safety is not just a regulatory requirement; it is the bedrock upon which a resilient and prosperous business is built. By adopting a multi-factor, technology-driven approach, businesses can create a workplace that prioritizes the physical, mental, and personal health of its employees.

There is intrinsic value in a comprehensive safety strategy that engages its workforce to be an integral part of the solution and a partner in creating a healthy safety culture. As we embrace Industry 5.0, let us ride the wave of change, fostering a culture where safety is not just a priority, but an integral part of our collective ethos.

Carrie has over 15 years’ experience in engineering, technology, and human factors. She started her career as a process engineer and ergonomics assessments team leader. She joined Ansell Healthcare in 2012 in Research and Development, and in her current role provides leadership, coordination and strategic direction for all aspects of Ansell Inteliforz safety technologies and solutions lifecycle. In her time at Ansell, her innovation has focused on PPE performance, human factors design, and new and emerging technologies that keep people safe while they work. Her contributions to trade secret and technology inventions have resulted in over 30 new product launches and 8 published patents.

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