Work to Zero – Project to Use Technology to Eliminate Fatalities in the Workplace

A new collaboration between the National Safety Council and Safetytech Accelerator, called Work to Zero was created to help employers try and adopt safety technology to save lives. 

The groups have a goal of eliminating workplace fatalities by 2050.

“Through our Work to Zero initiative, we’re constantly exploring new ways to help employers mitigate workplace injury risks through technology, and this new pilot program is another step to accomplish that,” said  Lorraine Martin, CEO, in a statement.

Safetytech Accelerator will manage the technology pilots, including launching trials that incorporate data analytics, artificial intelligence, computer analytics, augmented reality/virtual reality, sensors and wearables, drones and robotics technologies to life-saving safety applications. The initiative includes a free online assessment tool.

A recent national survey found that while employer implementation of new safety technologies is increasing, one of the biggest barriers to adopting technologies is limited knowledge of what exists, so the collaboration will focus on four technologies that have been increasing in popularity and availability, and are believed to be effective ways to reduce top workplace risks.

• Drones for Working at Height and Confined Space Inspections: This report looks at the use of drones for vertical and confined space inspections, and explores the various use cases associated with drones in the commercial, industrial and civil government sectors.
• Wearables for Fatigue Monitoring: This report looks at the use of wearables for fatigue management. It covers various use cases and shines light into the vendor landscape associated with fatigue monitoring wearables to provide education on the market and offerings.
• Proximity Sensors to Avoid Equipment Strikes at the Worksite: Some industries experience equipment and vehicle strikes at a higher frequency than others. This report looks at the use of proximity sensor technology for avoiding equipment strikes at the workplace.
• Virtual Reality and Augmented Reality for Hazardous Work Training: VR and AR training are among a slew of new technologies helping to enhance worker health and safety. This report looks at the use of virtual reality (VR) and augmented reality (AR) for hazardous work training.