The Importance of Data Analysis in Work-Related Injury Prevention: Wearables

Wearable technology has revolutionized how companies approach injury prevention, using data-driven strategies to create safer work environments. Focuses on data-backed interventions have taken critical steps towards implementing new strategies for employee wellness. Read on to understand the critical role of data analysis in injury prevention and risk reduction, and how the advent of wearables is helping lead that charge.

In this blog, we will explore three main topics:

·       Types of data collected in ergonomic environments

·       How data is used to prevent injuries and reduce risk across different work settings

·       How ergonomists and experts utilize this data to develop effective safety strategies

1. Types of Data in Ergonomic Environments

When looking at the impact that data analysis can have on the workplace, it’s important to first consider the types of data that are collected and what data is hiding in your workplace.

How much does an employee lift throughout a shift?

What amount of force does it take to open a bay door?

Do employees have to strain to reach a high shelf?

Each of these questions has an answer, and an effect that could cause discomfort, or a musculoskeletal disorder (MSD) for an employee. If an employee must lift 40 lbs per their job description, it is important to know if they need to lift that weight consistently or rarely.

Wearables are a tool that can help collect several different types of workplace data from every kind of worker. By their very nature wearables will be with your employees at all times when needed. Some of the types of data gathered are:

• Biomechanical Data: This data includes measurements related to body movements, posture, and muscle activity. Wearable devices can capture joint angles, muscle exertion, and overall body mechanics. This information is crucial for identifying movements that may lead to repetitive strain injuries, such as work-related musculoskeletal disorders, carpal tunnel syndrome, or back pain.

• Environmental Data: Environmental factors, such as temperature, humidity, lighting, and noise levels, significantly affect worker comfort and safety. Wearable sensors can monitor these conditions in real-time.

• Physiological Data: Wearable technology can track vital signs, including heart rate, blood pressure, and respiratory rate. This data helps identify signs of fatigue, stress, or other conditions that could increase the risk of accidents or injuries.

• Task-Specific Data: Wearables can also collect data specific to particular job tasks, such as lifting, carrying, or repetitive motions. This data helps analyze the frequency, duration, and intensity of specific activities, providing insights into how these actions may contribute to injury risks.

With all this data, the next essential step is putting it to use. You can take as many measurements you need but if you don’t properly analyze and implement your findings it will end up being a waste.

2. Using Data to Prevent Injuries and Reduce Risk Across Different Work Environments

Data collected from wearable technology is instrumental in identifying patterns and trends that could lead to workplace injuries. In various work environments—such as manufacturing plants,  construction sites, healthcare facilities, and for field-based work where employees are not often in your facilities—data analysis is used to tailor injury prevention strategies.

• Manufacturing and Warehousing: In environments where heavy lifting and repetitive motions are common, wearables can track muscle exertion and body mechanics.

  • Data might reveal that a particular lifting technique is causing strain on the lower back. With this information, managers can implement training sessions to teach proper lifting techniques or adjust workstation designs to reduce the need for repetitive bending and twisting.

  • Construction Sites: Wearable technology on construction sites can detect standard body mechanics like awkward postures or bending to reduce potential discomfort. Environmental hazards like high noise levels, poor air quality, or excessive heat can pose a serious hazard and vary across sites. Data can monitor workers’ vital signs to prevent heatstroke or other health issues. Additionally, motion sensors can detect falls or sudden impacts, enabling rapid response in emergencies.

  • By analyzing this data, construction companies can adjust work schedules, provide necessary personal protective equipment, or redesign workflows to enhance safety.

• Healthcare Settings: In healthcare environments, where workers often engage in patient handling and long shifts, wearables can track movement patterns and stress levels.

  • In a workplace where shoulder injuries are emerging as a common problem, data might show that certain lifting techniques are a potential cause. This insight allows for targeted interventions, such as mechanical lift training or alternative patient-handling protocols, to mitigate risk.

• Out-of-Office Workspaces: While some workers do not operate within the traditional workplace their health and safety is essential. Truckers, maintenance workers, or delivery drivers are all vital to daily operations. However, by being outside the workplace so consistently it can be difficult to track and understand ergonomic risk factors. Wearables give you the ability to keep these workers safe and free of discomfort.

  • Remote workers with computer workstations can also be relevant when considering office ergonomics. Wearables can help monitor general health and identify potential musculoskeletal disorders.

Learn about other workspaces and their potential risks by visiting OSHA’s online resources.

Across all these settings, data analysis enables a proactive approach to injury prevention. By identifying potential hazards before they lead to incidents, organizations can reduce the frequency and severity of workplace injuries.

3. How Ergonomists and Experts Utilize Data to Reduce Musculoskeletal Injuries

Ergonomists and workplace safety experts play a crucial role in interpreting the data collected from wearable technology. Their expertise helps translate raw data into actionable insights, which are then used to design safer work environments and practices. Wearables do not come with the functionality to fix the issues they track or stop a work-related injury from occurring. A trained professional interpreting data and putting in proactive measures is key to their success and a reduction in injuries with methods like ergonomic assessments.

The 4 Steps to Actionable Data Usage

1.Identifying High-Risk Activities: Ergonomists use data to pinpoint specific activities or tasks that pose a high risk of injury. By analyzing patterns in biomechanical and task-specific data, they can identify movements or postures that consistently lead to discomfort or injury. This information helps prioritize which tasks require immediate intervention or redesign.

2. Implementing Targeted Interventions: Once high-risk activities are identified, experts use data to develop targeted interventions. For example, if data shows that a particular group of workers is experiencing high levels of shoulder strain, ergonomists may recommend modifications to workstations, implement new tools or equipment, or add job rotation to reduce repetitive motion. An established ergonomics program can help in determining the best steps forward as well.

3. Monitoring and Continuous Improvement: Data from wearables allows ergonomists to monitor the effectiveness of implemented interventions in real time. If an intervention does not produce the desired results, data analysis can reveal where adjustments are needed. This continuous feedback loop ensures that workplace safety strategies are always evolving and improving based on current data.

4. Employee Training and Education: Ergonomists use data to design training programs that address specific risk factors identified in the workplace. If data reveals that many employees are experiencing musculoskeletal disorders from lifting, an ergonomist might create a training program focusing on functional movement and lifting. Wearable technology can also be used during training sessions to provide immediate feedback to employees, helping them learn safer techniques more effectively.

Data analysis is transforming injury prevention and occupational health across various industries, driven by advancements in wearable technology. By collecting and analyzing a wide range of data types—biomechanical, environmental, physiological, task-specific -organizations can proactively identify and mitigate workplace hazards. Whether in the field, factories, construction sites, or healthcare facilities, data-driven insights enable a safer, more efficient, and more productive workplace.

Are you looking to learn more about data-driven solutions and best uses for your workplace data? Sign-up for the latest webinar from Briotix Health on September 19th! 

The Data Advantage: Understanding and Utilizing Occupational Health Insights

Join speaker Russ Hertzberg, CTO of Briotix Health, as he examines the tools, systems, and processes that an organization can use to deploy advanced data platform solutions for Occupational Health and Safety data.