Technology can keep employees safe, but businesses still lag in adoption

Millennial business owners are leading the charge as 71% of them are using connected technologies for safety efforts.

The traditional approach of identifying insurance sales opportunities is no longer working. (Photo: iStock)

Almost one-third of business owners rely on technologies like telematics, drones, wearables and buildings sensors to support workplace safety, according to Nationwide‘s fourth annual Business Owner Survey.

Millennials are leading the charge, as 71% of them are using connected technologies for safety efforts — more than double the average business owner (32%).

Related: The next wave of workplace safety and claims mitigation

What are businesses using?

Nationwide’s survey identified the following technologies being used by businesses:

  1. Building sensors, such as those that can detect humidity, temperature, water leaks and equipment failure, are used by 16% of all business owners and 36% of millennial business owners.
  2. Wearables, such as watches, belts and other personal sensors that can detect physical strain, are used by 13% of all business owners and 32% of millennials business owners.
  3. Seven percent of all business owners are using drones compared to 21% of millennial business owners.
  4. Vehicle telematics solutions, such as those can help reduce distracted driving, are used by 11% of all business owners and 20% of millennial business owners.

Related: Leveraging technology for workplace safety

Many companies lack formal planning, training

Although nearly one-third of business owners are using connected technologies to address workplace safety issues, Nationwide found that 51% of businesses do not employ a dedicated safety professional.

Thirty-eight percent do not offer formal safety training and 51% do not have a contingency or succession plan in place.

“While technology can enhance workplace safety, it’s not a panacea,” Mark McGhiey, associate vice president of Nationwide’s Loss Control Services, said in a statement. “There’s always going to be an element of human-driven effort to ensure workers can do their jobs safely and efficiently. That’s why it’s so important for employers to follow best safety practices that are tailored to their specific business  — and it’s why our experts provide individualized risk management consultation and safety training to business owners across the country.”

Related: Train today’s young workers to thrive for tomorrow’s job market

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