09/08/2025

The Benefits and Risks of Safety Technology

Wearable technology can offer benefits but also increase stress

An evidence-led approach is key to navigating the rapid spread of digital technologies – including AI – in relation to occupational safety and health (OSH), according to The impact of emerging technology on safety at work, from the new Lloyd's Register Foundation's Global Safety Evidence Centre.

"New digital technologies are rapidly changing our economies and our working lives," said Nancy Hey, director of evidence and insight at Lloyd's Register Foundation, in a statement. "This report shows how digital technologies introduced for business reasons can bring new risks, as well as how new technologies can be used to keep workers safe."

"We know it is possible to maintain and improve occupational safety without stifling innovation during major technological transitions," Hey added. "We've been through many rapid technological shifts in the past that have been made safer by acknowledging the challenges and making a collective effort to address them – that's what helps people feel confident with change. Coordinated research, grounded in safety science, is essential for technological innovation to develop effectively and safely."

Please select this link to read the complete article from EHS Today.