Harnessing technology for a safer workforce

The International Labour Organization (ILO) estimates that over 3 million deaths occur annually as a result of poor safety standards and hazardous work environments.1 Emerging technologies can exacerbate these hazards, and despite bringing considerable opportunities, they also present new risks to the safety of workers across the world.

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  https://www.ilo.org/resource/news/nearly-3-million-people-die-work-related-accidents-and-diseases

As a result of this new era of risk in the workplace, the Global Initiative for Industrial Safety (GIFIS) has launched the world’s first Manifesto for Global Industrial Safety.

Developed in collaboration with the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO), the Global Manufacturing and Industrialisation Summit (GMIS), Cambridge Industrial Innovation Policy (CIIP) and Lloyd’s Register Foundation, the manifesto marks a significant step towards addressing emerging and long-standing safety risks affecting workers across the world.

The manifesto is shaped by the following five key principles:

• Uphold the human right to safe working conditions
• Ensure that safety is central to technology decisions
• Exploit new technology-enabled solutions
• Share, monitor and promote safety lessons
• Support safety improvements in developing countries

These principles guide the safe adoption of new technologies in industry, emphasising collaboration between the technology sector and key stakeholders to prioritise workers' safety. While technology may seem to pose risks, it is also a crucial part of the solution. While technology might seem as if it is the cause of many potential problems in the workplace, it is also a critical part of the solution. To manage and mitigate the risks posed by these advances, new safety products, services and solutions enabled by this same technology, and continuously generated data, must be part of the response.

AI is already being used to predict and mitigate cyber-attacks, and wearable technology, such as smart helmets and vests, is being introduced in construction to monitor workers’ health and detect hazardous conditions. Autonomous vehicles are being used to replace humans in hazardous mine inspections. Advancements such as these enable industries to proactively address potential threats before they escalate into critical issues.

Using cutting-edge technology to enhance safety is no longer a distant future concept. SafetyTech, is developing rapidly, with both startups and large companies implementing new solutions in real work environments. These technologies drive innovation in products, factories, and supply chains, offering new opportunities to tackle global industrial safety challenges. This is the perfect time for the manifesto to concentrate on global endeavours to tackle emerging safety issues and harness the power of technology to provide solutions.

However, to create long-lasting change and make this type of technology more accessible, businesses must commit to ongoing investment and continuous research and development. Through continuous innovation and dissemination of practical solutions, technology has the potential to transform safety from a mundane necessity into an engaging and vital aspect of everyday life.

In developing countries, workers are disproportionately affected by workplace accidents due to limited resources and inadequate safety measures.

This is one of the reasons why, in developing the Global Industrial Safety Manifesto, we ensured that any guidance and suggestions could be applied universally. By leveraging technology with the correct guidance, we can transform it into a powerful tool that enhances workplace safety globally. The manifesto also recognises specific safety challenges faced by groups in the informal economy, such as women and migrant workers.

The launch of the Manifesto for Global Industrial Safety is an important moment in the collective pursuit of safer industrial environments worldwide. It represents a unified call to action for all stakeholders to prioritise the wellbeing of workers and ensure that technological advancement goes hand in hand with safety and sustainability.

Download the Global Initiative for Industrial Safety manifesto here.