zenronline.eu
EN
Platform on sun and daylight control, shutters, patio covers and closures
By Jerry Huang, Vice President of Getac Technology Corporation
Heavy industry has made clear strides in occupational safety in recent years. Yet recent figures show that a number of industries are still responsible for a significant proportion of workplace accidents and that progress is beginning to stagnate in some cases. This shows that prevention must go beyond traditional tools such as training, procedures and personal protective equipment.
Data from Eurostat show that sectors such as construction, industry, transportation and mining continue to face increased safety risks structurally. For the oil and gas industry, figures from the International Association of Oil & Gas Producers (IOGP) that workplace accidents continue to occur despite safety standards that are among the highest internationally. This highlights the need to complement existing safety measures with technologies that better support risk assessment and early detection.
Research and practical experience consistently point to a number of activities that are particularly risk-sensitive, such as working at heights, electrical installations, operating machinery and heavy equipment, and working in confined spaces. In addition, human and organizational factors play an important role, including fatigue, high workloads, complex environments and rapidly changing operational conditions. Effective prevention therefore requires a broader approach that includes these elements structurally.
After questioning such a 32 professionnels working within sectors such as environment, health and safety it appears that 50 % of them identify working at height and electrical work as the most risky activities. This is followed by the use of machinery and heavy equipment and work in confined spaces. Other frequently mentioned risks include vehicle use, handling hazardous materials, loading and unloading activities and working in high temperatures.
Within this framework, digital technologies are increasingly being used to better manage safety risks. Artificial intelligence makes it possible to analyze data from plant, machinery and work environments to identify anomalies or potential failures early. Augmented reality supports workers on site with contextual information in real time, while robotics, drones and semi-autonomous vehicles help reduce human exposure in high-risk operations. Virtual reality is also playing an increasing role in training and education by realistically simulating complex scenarios without operational risks.
Research shows that solutions that keep workers physically away from the most risky situations tend to yield the greatest safety returns. Monitoring and warning systems, such as smart sensors and connected devices, are a valuable addition to this, provided they are well aligned with daily work practices and broadly supported by the teams involved.
According to the study Industrial robots, workers’ safety, and health, published in Labor Economics (Gihleb, Giuntella, Stella & Wang, 2022), an increase of one standard deviation in exposure to industrial robots leads to a decrease of about 1.2 workplace accidents per 100 workers. This highlights the potential of robotization as a structural safety tool.
To have real impact, technology solutions must match the specific conditions of heavy industries. That means robustness, ease of use, regulatory compliance and reliable operation under harsh conditions such as dust, vibration, extreme temperatures or limited visibility. The success of these solutions is determined not only by technical performance, but above all by their applicability in daily practice.
Also ergonomics and practicality are crucial. Solutions must be easy to operate, even with gloves or in low light, and must not interfere with employees' work or freedom of movement. In addition, regulatory compliance remains essential, including certifications for use in explosive or otherwise high-risk environments.
Technology alone is not enough to sustainably improve industrial safety. Real impact only occurs when it becomes part of a broader organizational development, with ongoing training, employee involvement and safety policies that are supported at all levels. Solutions from manufacturers such as Getac illustrate this approach, focusing not only on the technology itself, but more importantly on its effective use on the shop floor.
A future-proof safety strategy for heavy industries therefore requires a thoughtful deployment of technologies that are in line with practice and anchored in a proactive safety culture. Only in this way can occupational accidents be structurally reduced and workers be better protected in a constantly evolving industrial environment.
