The International Labour Organization (ILO) estimates that, globally, around three million deaths each year are directly attributed to inadequate safety measures and hazardous work environments.[1]
New technologies such as the internet of things (IoT), artificial intelligence (AI), and advanced robotics, risk exacerbating these hazards; posing new threats to workplace safety.
Pledges and Pacts
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
Together, these principles act as guidelines to promote the safe adoption of new technologies in industry but require collaboration between the technology industry and key stakeholders to ensure advancements workers' safety is prioritised.
While technology might seem as if it is the cause of many potential problems in the workplace, it should also be viewed as 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.
Safety in technology is evolving into an exciting field. Artificial intelligence is already being utilised 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. Additionally, drones are being employed for aerial surveys to identify potential dangers on construction sites before they escalate into critical issues. Autonomous vehicles are now being used to replace humans in hazardous mine inspections.
Thanks to these advancements, industry can proactively address potential threats before they escalate into critical issues.
Using cutting-edge technology to enhance safety is no longer a distant future concept. The emerging field of safetytech is developing rapidly, with innovative start-ups and large firms already applying new solutions in real work environments. Cutting-edge technologies are driving the creation of more innovative products, intelligent factories, and adaptable supply chains. These technologies offer fresh opportunities to confront global industrial safety challenges. Therefore, it is a 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.
A Help, Not a Hindrance
In developing countries, workers are disproportionately affected by workplace accidents due to limited resources and inadequate safety measures.[2]
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.
Carlos Lopez-Gomez is Head of Unit at the Institute for Manufacturing's Cambridge Industrial Innovation Policy (CIIP) and co-author of the Manifesto for Global Industrial Safety
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