Making safety tech work: new framework guides adoption of industrial safety technologies

“Making safety tech work: A practical framework for identifying and selecting safety technology solutions for industry” addresses a growing challenge facing industry: while emerging technologies offer significant potential to improve workplace safety, their adoption remains limited due to unclear evidence of their effectiveness and value.

To address this gap, the paper introduces the “4Ps framework” – Prevention, Precaution, Prediction, and Protection – which provides a structured approach to evaluating safety technologies based on how they reduce hazards, lower the likelihood of incidents, or mitigate their consequences. The framework builds on the established Hierarchy of Controls and is designed to help practitioners compare solutions more systematically.

The report also highlights key global trends, including the shift from reactive to anticipatory safety systems, and presents findings from an analysis of more than 19,000 patented technologies addressing fall-from-height risks.

The insights from the paper illustrate a broader transition towards digitally enabled and predictive safety solutions. By improving the visibility of safety outcomes and linking them to investment decisions, the framework will support organisations in building stronger business cases for safety technology adoption and ultimately contribute to safer working environments worldwide.

The white paper is led by Cambridge Industrial Innovation Policy in close collaboration with UNIDO. Reflecting its practitioner-oriented focus, the White Paper also incorporates valuable perspectives and ideas from members of the GIFIS community.