A Leap Forward in Footwear Safety

© Aly – stock.adobe.com

The benefits and limitations of smart technology in PPE.

By: Vicki McDonald Kastory

Protective footwear has evolved for centuries, and has come a long way since 17th century farmers protected their feet with stiff, wooden sabots. But even though manufacturers are continuously innovating, the primary purpose of safety footwear has remained fundamentally the same — providing physical protection for workers’ feet. Until now. Advancements in the athletic shoe design are now transforming safety footwear, enhancing durability, breathability, fit, natural foot movement – and connectivity.¹

In the age of digital transformation, many industries are leveraging advanced technologies to improve safety, efficiency and productivity — including PPE manufacturers. One notable innovation in this realm is connected safety footwear — a smart solution that integrates sensors, geolocators, accelerometers and Internet of Things (IoT) technology into traditional work boots and shoes.

This smart technology connects footwear to mobile apps via Bluetooth, enabling real-time data analytics and reporting. Using integrated geolocation and sensors, the technology provides advanced remote safety monitoring, tracks incidents in remote workplaces and notifies workers and supervisors when safety risks or incidents are detected.

KEY FEATURES OF CONNECTED SAFETY FOOTWEAR

Connected safety footwear incorporates several technological features that work together to improve worker safety.² These features include:

Embedded Sensors: Sensors placed in the soles or upper parts of the boots can detect a range of environmental and physical conditions. For example, pressure sensors can monitor the wearer’s posture, ensuring that workers maintain proper ergonomics to avoid strain injuries. Some boots also feature temperature and humidity sensors, which help alert workers if they are in potentially dangerous environmental conditions.

GPS Tracking: Connected footwear often includes GPS tracking, which allows employers to monitor the real-time location of workers. This is particularly useful for large-scale industrial sites, remote work locations or mines, where workers may be spread out across wide areas. GPS can also play a crucial role in emergency situations by quickly locating injured or trapped workers.

Fall Detection: Built-in accelerometers can detect sudden falls or impacts, immediately sending an alert to supervisors or safety teams. This feature is especially important in industries such as construction, where falls from height are a leading cause of injury and death. In the event of a fall, the connected boot can trigger an automatic response, ensuring that help is dispatched quickly.

Fatigue Monitoring: Wearable technology in connected footwear can monitor workers’ movements throughout the day, identifying patterns of fatigue or overexertion. This information can be used to optimize work schedules, reduce the risk of accidents caused by tiredness, and improve overall worker well-being.

Health and Safety Alerts: Connected boots can be programmed to send health and safety alerts to workers and supervisors. For example, if a worker enters a restricted or hazardous area, the footwear can vibrate or send a signal to warn the wearer, reducing the risk of accidents.

Data Analytics: The data collected by connected footwear is often analyzed through cloud-based platforms. This allows employers to track trends, identify potential safety hazards, and implement preventive measures. Historical data can also be used to improve safety training and procedures, ultimately fostering a safer work environment.

BENEFITS OF WEARABLE SAFETY TECHNOLOGY

Integrated sensors in safety footwear can detect and notify workers about safety risks in real-time, and report emergencies, such as a fall, to supervisors. © dusanpetkovic1 – stock.adobe.com

The adoption of connected safety PPE offers several significant advantages for industries that prioritize safety.³

Enhanced Worker Protection: Traditional safety boots protect against immediate physical hazards, but connected footwear takes protection to the next level by providing real-time monitoring and alerts. This proactive approach can prevent accidents before they happen, rather than just minimizing the damage afterward.

Improved Response Time: In the event of an emergency, such as a fall or exposure to hazardous materials, connected footwear can send automatic alerts to safety teams. This drastically reduces the time it takes to respond to accidents, potentially saving lives and minimizing injuries.

Increased Productivity: While the primary goal of connected footwear is safety, it also has the potential to improve productivity. By monitoring worker fatigue and posture, companies can optimize work schedules, reduce downtime caused by injury, and ensure that workers are operating at their best.

Regulatory Compliance: Many industries are subject to strict safety regulations. Connected safety footwear provides an additional layer of documentation and proof that safety protocols are being followed. In the event of an inspection or audit, employers can present detailed data on worker safety practices, helping to ensure compliance with government standards.

Cost Savings: While connected footwear may have a higher upfront cost than traditional safety gear, the long-term savings can be substantial. By preventing accidents and reducing downtime caused by injuries, companies can avoid costly workers’ compensation claims and lost productivity. Furthermore, the data generated by connected footwear can help companies identify inefficiencies and streamline operations, leading to overall cost reductions.

CHALLENGES AND LIMITATIONS

Despite its many benefits, connected footwear is not without its challenges.⁴

One of the primary concerns is privacy. Some workers may be uncomfortable with the idea of being constantly monitored, fearing that the data collected could be used to track their every movement or penalize them for perceived inefficiencies. It is crucial for employers to strike a balance between safety monitoring and respecting workers’ privacy.

Another challenge is cost. Connected safety footwear is more expensive than traditional safety boots, and the cost of purchasing, maintaining, and upgrading the necessary infrastructure (such as software platforms) can be prohibitive for smaller companies.

Battery life is also a concern. The sensors and communication devices embedded in connected footwear require power, which means the boots must be charged regularly. If the battery runs out during a shift, the safety benefits are nullified.

Lastly, durability is an issue that must be addressed. Safety boots and shoes may be exposed to harsh conditions, including extreme temperatures, moisture, and heavy wear. Ensuring that the embedded technology can withstand these conditions without compromising the functionality of the boots is a challenge that manufacturers must overcome.

SMART PPE CAPABILITIES

While there are challenges to overcome, connected safety footwear represents a major leap forward in PPE capabilities. By integrating smart technology into traditional protective footwear, organizations can benefit from real-time hazard monitoring, notifications, faster emergency response and valuable data analytics. And as more workplaces adopt digital technologies, real-time risk assessments will be accessible to everyone, empowering more people to work safely. WMHS