Accidents in the workplace cause physical harm to impacted employees and financial harm to employers. One of the most effective protections against workplace accidents is the proper usage of personal protective equipment (PPE) including wearable technologies (wearables). Wearables are essentially cloud-connected devices that can detect an array of hazards in the workplace, giving employers valuable and actionable information on how to manage the impact of such hazards.
The Scenario
A leading third-party logistics provider knew that lifting, pushing, and pulling product were among their top hazards, but wanted more and better information on the other hazards their employees faced, and where they were most prevalent.
The company collaborated with the Conner Strong & Buckelew Risk Control team to address this challenge through a twofold strategy, including implementing a strong and practical, lifting mechanics program, and piloting wearable technology to monitor other hazards, such as slips/trips/falls, repetitive motion, heat/humidity, and noise. The company then used the data from the wearable technology to inform where they needed to further observe employee safety behaviors and correct them where necessary. The program was very well received, as it was implemented with maximum transparency and no disruption to employees’ regular activities.
The Result
Through the utilization of wearable technology and adoption of the lifting mechanics system, the company was able to improve employee training, reinforce best practices and supplement risk management efforts by gathering actionable intelligence on safety hazards. As a result, they reduced lost time injuries from lifting by 56% and realized $450K in Workers’ Compensation loss savings in one year. In addition, the company was able to enhance their behavior-based safety program with real data from real situations.
Conner Strong & Buckelew’s Commitment to Innovation
As a founding member of BrokerTech Ventures (BTV), Conner Strong is a leader in identifying innovators and insurtech startups to bring cutting edge solutions to the insurance industry. Conner Strong recommended MākuSafe®, a BTV Accelerator participant, as a prime technology partner for this pilot. Conner Strong continues to explore wearable technologies with established and emerging companies and will recommend the best fit for our clients.
Joseph McGettigan
Vice President
Senior Risk Control Consultant
