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December 4, 2024

Bodytrak Launches Mobile App for Users to Drive Workplace Safety Awareness

Bodytrak®, the leading innovator in wearable safety solutions, is excited to announce the launch of its new mobile app, designed to bring real-time physiological insights directly to users. Available on iOS and Android, the app offers an interactive, user-centric approach to workplace safety monitoring, reinforcing Bodytrak’s mission to make safety engaging, transparent, and data-driven.

Employers are able to configure the new user app from Bodytrak to provide employees with a live feed of critical metrics, including core body temperature, heart rate, physiological strain, and fatigue levels, as well as trends over time. Users can securely log in to monitor their physiological responses to workplace and environmental conditions, with the added transparency of daily and weekly trends and historical information. The app enables workers to view the number of alerts triggered over specific periods and the amount of time spent in different states, offering a detailed breakdown of their body’s physiological responses.

The Bodytrak app is a powerful tool that complements the current Bodytrak system – operating alongside the alerts supervisors already receive via the Dashboard, text, email, and WhatsApp – further enhancing intervention through engagement with safety data. Users continue to receive audio prompts when they exceed safe thresholds, but they now also have real-time access to their data in the app, giving them greater insight into their physiological states.

Developed in response to valuable feedback from clients and users, the app fills a critical gap in the marketplace. Bodytrak recognised the need for a tool that empowers users by giving them more visibility over their own safety data and supporting greater adoption of vital safety technology. The app bridges that gap, helping workers take an active role in their safety and well-being, and supporting organisations in their drive to build a proactive, safety-first culture.

“Transparency is essential to transforming safety culture,” said Leon Marsh, Founder and CEO of Bodytrak. “The new Bodytrak app brings data to the forefront, enabling users to be more aware of their safety and understand their own limits in high-risk environments.”

In addition to individual insights, Bodytrak has introduced a competitive feature for team members to see where they rank based on the volume of data collected. This friendly ranking aims to motivate users to use the Bodytrak solution regularly, helping to ensure a consistent approach to safety while enhancing team camaraderie and collaboration.

Bodytrak’s mobile app underscores its commitment to empowering organisations with advanced, user-friendly tools to protect their workforce. By listening to customer needs and responding with innovative solutions, Bodytrak continues to lead the way in transforming workplace health and safety, helping companies prioritise well-being, compliance, and a transparent safety culture.

About Bodytrak

Bodytrak® provides the world’s most comprehensive smart safety solutions that reduce workplace risks, prevent incidents and enhance productivity through actionable data. With the ability to provide individualised monitoring, precise data is captured through our wearable devices to prevent workplace incidents related to heat stress, fatigue, musculoskeletal injuries and noise exposure. Bodytrak’s mission is to disrupt health and safety in the workplace by working with customers, regulators and the insurance industry to define new standards and reduce the number of incidents and fatalities across the globe.

December 3, 2024

Balancing Garment Durability with Compliance

Hannah Sargent of PULSAR® discusses the importance of hi-visibility workwear and the growing relationship between garment durability and safety standards.

For decades, hi-visibility clothing has existed at the heart of employee wellbeing in safety critical work environments. The use of bright colours and reflective materials helps raise wearer visibility and has proven pivotal in protecting working professionals across hazardous fields such as construction, highways, rail and utilities.

Though, whilst the primary purpose of protective clothing is to ensure wearer safety, the ever-changing demands of modern-day work environments continue to stretch the requirements of hi-visibility workwear designs. More than ever before, hi-vis protective clothing must be adaptable and comfortable for both male and female professionals whilst maintaining high levels of reliability in challenging conditions. With that in mind, how are hi-vis garment designs using durability as a way to preserve wearer safety and the environment?

Visibly Compliant

By design, hi-visibility workwear is synonymous with fluorescent yellow and orange colours. Such is its importance to user safety; protective clothing is internationally standardised and must comply with EN ISO 20471:2013, with the regulation assessing the suitability and durability of retro-reflective materials and stipulating that ‘high visibility clothing must be capable of visually signalling the user’s presence’.

In many cases, on-site teams are required by law to wear protective workwear and PPE items every day and as a result, employers must provide their staff with the most suitable gear. Hi-visibility clothing must be CE marked and conform to the correct class specification for example, with guidelines ranging from ‘Class 1’ which offers the lowest level of protection to ‘Class 3’ which offers the highest levels of conspicuity. Where end users must take reasonable steps to wear and care for protective equipment, employers are also encouraged to review the condition of hi-vis garments, checking the fluorescent material, reflective strips and contrast material remain at the necessary level of visibility – enabling wearers to stand out in low-light and high-traffic areas.

Although maintenance can help towards preserving the bright colouring of a garment throughout its lifecycle, hi-visibility clothing is habitually exposed to the elements and can become worn and unclean in the process. Occasionally, dirt can simply be wiped clean on outer layers such as jackets, however, next to skin products require regular washes to ensure the item of clothing remains fresh and comfortable for the wearer when in use. With that said, frequent washes can erode the reflective components and fabric of hi-visibility garments, with this process accelerated on poorer quality materials and products. When colour fading, fabric degradation or damage to reflective strips begins to show, a garment may no longer be safe or compliant and will subsequently need replacing.

Careful design, better protection

To combat the signs of wear and reduce the need for replacements, conscious manufacturers and their design teams are actively enhancing the lifecycles of protective clothing at the design stage. Through early collaboration, extensive wearer trials and the sourcing of high-quality, sustainable materials, greater durability is being woven into the plethora of user benefits that hi-vis workwear can offer.

As more significance is placed on the usable service life of hi-vis protective clothing, some high wear workwear garments are now able to retain their colour, fit and quality for up to 50 washes as standard, for example. In many cases, this surpasses the industry standard of 5 washes and allows working professionals to stay visibly safer and more comfortable for longer. Similarly, the adoption of higher-quality materials, finishes and specialised treatments is influencing more practical designs and further reducing the need for repeat replacements. Just as breathable materials can help to regulate wearer temperature, abrasion resistance fabrics and water repellent finishes can support extra protection from the elements and added durability for wearers who may need to kneel for long periods on hard, unforgiving surfaces.

When the reliability of protective clothing does come into question, so too does the safety of the wearer. Therefore, it’s important to replace hi-vis clothing with caution, as low quality replacements may result in another purchase soon after. The approach of buying less has direct benefits to the environment also, whereby end-of-life workwear remains a significant contributor to our planet’s waste, with approximately 90% of the UK’s used workwear and PPE is sent to landfill and incarceration. In fact, it’s understood that by extending the active life of 50% of the UK’s clothing by 9 months, carbon, water and waste footprints can be reduced by 4-10%.

The focus on durability in hi-vis workwear is growing and the need to prioritise multi-functional, reliable and appropriate protective clothing designs is clear. By embracing durability in decision making, employers can protect their workforce and the planet for longer, and all whilst conforming to the latest regulatory standards.

Sources

https://www.iso.org/standard/42816.html

https://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2022/8/contents/made

https://www.gov.uk/guidance/ce-marking

https://pciaw.org/the-circular-textiles-for-a-sustainable-future/

https://www.wrap.ngo/sites/default/files/2020-10/WRAP-valuing-our-clothes-the-cost-of-uk-fashion_WRAP.pdf

December 3, 2024

Will AI eventually replace humans when it comes to health and safety?

December 3, 2024

Cority and Protex AI Partner to Bring Real-Time AI-Driven Safety Insights to High-Risk Industries

Cority , an industry-leading provider of environmental, health, and safety (EHS) and sustainability software is continuing development into ground-breaking tech through a new partnership with Protex AI, an innovative provider of computer vision technology for workplace safety. This collaboration aims to bring the latest in AI-powered prediction and hazard detection into Cority’s Incident Management solution, enabling organizations worldwide to monitor workplace risks proactively and prevent incidents before they happen.

Meeting a Global Safety Challenge

Over 395 million workers experience work-related injuries or illnesses annually, according to the International Labour Organization, traditional methods of hazard detection rely heavily on people-focused observation and after-the-fact reporting, making it difficult to mitigate risks proactively. Protex AI’s computer vision technology provides continuous, autonomous monitoring, expanding an organization’s ability to detect at-risk events and respond to hazards in real time. The integration with Cority’s platform strengthens EHS teams’ ability to take proactive action, even in high-traffic and complex environments.

“By integrating Protex AI’s technology into CorityOne, we’re enhancing our clients’ capacity to proactively monitor risk in a way that wasn’t previously feasible,” said Sean Baldry, Cority’s senior director, product marketing and a Canadian Registered Safety Professional (CRSP). “This partnership reflects Cority’s commitment to AI-enabled solutions that empower safety professionals to prioritize prevention over reaction.”

Proactive Workplace Safety Powered by AI

As organizations seek to advance workplace safety, the Cority and Protex AI partnership leverages AI-driven insights, enabling real-time monitoring of employee conditions and behaviors. Protex AI’s computer vision technology connects directly with existing CCTV (closed-circuit television) infrastructure, allowing it to detect unsafe conditions and behaviors continuously in real-time, without relying on human interaction. This data flows seamlessly into CorityOne, Cority’s integrated EHS ecosystem, supporting more effective, timely interventions and strengthening organizations’ safety cultures.

“Together with Cority, we’re delivering a cutting-edge solution that anticipates workplace hazards and prevents incidents before they happen,” said Dan Hobbs, CEO and co-founder of Protex AI. “Our partnership reflects a shared commitment to innovation in workplace safety, enabling EHS teams to extend their reach and focus on proactive safety measures without the need for additional resources.”

Key Benefits of the Cority and Protex AI Partnership

The Cority-Protex AI partnership offers a powerful suite of tools designed to address the core pain points in workplace safety. Benefits include:

Enhanced Risk Visibility: Continuous monitoring provides organizations with critical insights to detect hidden risks and proactively respond to unsafe conditions and behaviors as they emerge.
Operational Efficiency: By automating hazard detection, the partnership enables organizations to refocus their limited resources on corrective and preventative actions, improving efficiency and reducing incident rates.
Stronger Safety Culture: Real-time, actionable data fosters transparency and trust, reinforcing safety practices and driving a culture of accountability across all levels of the organization.
Reduced Compliance Risks: Early intervention minimizes compliance issues, protecting organizations from regulatory citations and fines while enhancing business reputation and operational continuity.

Targeted Industries and Global Reach

The joint solution is well-suited for industries with complex safety needs, a strict regulatory landscape, and those with existing CCTV infrastructure, such as manufacturing, chemical, transportation, food and beverage, pharmaceuticals, and retail. This AI-powered approach to workplace safety supports EHS teams in high-risk industries worldwide by delivering more effective, scalable risk management solutions.

Learn more about Cority’s Safety solutions at www.cority.com/safety-cloud. Learn more about Protex AI at www.protex.ai

About Protex AI

Protex AI helps enterprise EHS teams to revolutionise how they make proactive safety decisions that help contribute to a safer work environment. Our AI-powered technology is enabling businesses to gain greater visibility of unsafe behaviors in their facilities. The privacy-preserving platform plugs into existing CCTV infrastructure and uses its computer vision technologies to capture unsafe events autonomously in settings such as warehouses, manufacturing facilities and ports. We believe that every worker has the right to go home safe every day. We also believe that every employer should provide a duty of care in order for this to happen.

About Cority

Cority gives every employee from the field to the boardroom the power to make a difference, reducing risks and creating a safer, healthier, and more sustainable world. For over 35 years, Cority’s people-first software solutions have been built by EHS and sustainability experts who know the pressures businesses face. Time-tested, scalable, and configurable, CorityOne is the responsible business platform that combines datasets from across the organization to enable improved efficiencies, actionable insights, data-driven decisions, and more accurate reporting on performance. Trusted by over 1,400 organizations worldwide, Cority deeply cares about helping people work toward a better future for everyone. To learn more, visit www.cority.com.

December 2, 2024

Company Fined £1.6 Million After Young Worker’s Tragic Death

A company has been fined £1.6 million following the tragic death of 24-year-old Jack Phillips, who was fatally injured on August 8, 2019, while working for Brand Energy and Infrastructure Services UK Ltd at South Cliff Tower in Eastbourne.

Jack was assisting with the lifting of temporary Mast Climber Work Platform sections using a lorry-mounted crane when the lifting sling attached to the crane snapped, causing the load to crush him.

An investigation conducted by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) and Sussex Police revealed significant safety failings by Brand Energy & Infrastructure Services UK Ltd, trading as Lyndon SGB. The company, which provides temporary access equipment, failed to properly plan the lifting operation, including implementing safe exclusion zones. Furthermore, a robust system to ensure lifting accessories were thoroughly examined or disposed of when expired was not in place. As a result, outdated slings were used during the operation.

Parents’ Heart breaking Tribute

Jack’s parents, Scot and Nichola Phillips, described their devastation in a statement:
“How do you put into words the utter devastation you feel? Our child, our only son, is dead. Our life, our family’s life has now changed forever. We are no longer complete without Jack. We will never see our baby boy, the boy we nurtured and helped grow into a young man, get married, raise a family, or grow old.

“His sisters will never have the honour of him being an uncle to their children. We will never have the honour of seeing or meeting his children. Jack was a happy-go-lucky ‘Jack the lad.’ Everyone who had the pleasure of meeting him loved him.”

Court Ruling

Brand Energy and Infrastructure Services UK Ltd, based in Leatherhead, Surrey, pleaded guilty to breaching Section 2(1) of the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974. The company was fined £1.6 million and ordered to pay £23,193.60 in costs at Brighton Magistrates’ Court on November 27, 2024.

HSE Principal Inspector Ross Carter commented on the case:
“This tragic incident led to the wholly avoidable death of a young man. This death could so easily have been prevented if Jack’s employer had fulfilled its statutory duty to plan and manage the risks associated with lifting equipment and operations.

“Brand Energy and Infrastructure Services UK Ltd failed in its duty of care to all its operatives, including Jack, by neglecting to plan and implement safe lifting practices and allowing lax customs and practices to undermine the safety culture.”

Safety Guidance

The HSE encourages employers to follow regulations outlined in the Lifting Operations and Lifting Equipment Regulations (LOLER) to prevent similar incidents.

This prosecution was handled by HSE enforcement lawyer Alan Hughes, supported by HSE paralegal officer Helen Jacob.

December 2, 2024

Construction Awards Face Sexism Backlash Over Performers in Tight-Fitting PPE Outfits

A construction industry awards event has ignited a sexism row after featuring female performers in skin-tight, builder-themed outfits, prompting widespread criticism and calls for change within the sector.

On The Tools, an online community for builders, faced backlash when photos surfaced from its recent awards ceremony showing women dressed in tight-fitting costumes resembling personal protective equipment (PPE) and performing on stilts.

Faye Allen, a diversity campaigner and former director at the construction firm Arcadis, said she was contacted by “horrified” attendees of the event, including one woman who “literally walked into a crotch.” Allen voiced her frustration: “There are already significant issues with PPE. We’ve been fighting hard for equipment that properly fits women and other diverse groups. To see people wearing hi-vis colours in this way is infuriating.”

She added, “I’ve been in the industry for 30 years—I stopped working on-site for contractors because I grew tired of the way I was treated, and women are still being treated like this today. It must change.”

Harriet Waley-Cohen, another diversity advocate, shared her dismay in a LinkedIn post, stating that she was “appalled by the regressive, sexist messaging” of the event. “The decision to use promotional women in this way would have been approved at the highest level. Anyone who questioned it either didn’t feel safe to speak up or was ignored. Everyone involved essentially decided it’s acceptable to sexualise and devalue women in the industry, presenting them as objects of desire rather than recognising their intellect and skills,” she wrote.

Waley-Cohen pointed to the broader challenges faced by women in the sector, noting, “Women’s careers in construction are far shorter than men’s, according to RICS data. It’s not surprising that women leave the industry when they feel unsafe at work and are routinely sexualised. What happened at the awards only reinforces these issues.”

Her post attracted over a thousand reactions and hundreds of comments, reflecting significant concern within the industry.

A sign used at the event for photo opportunities also circulated on social media, depicting a loading bar at 69% progress with the caption: “Getting drunk, please wait…”

Allen remarked, “The industry will never become inclusive if this type of messaging persists. Women don’t want tacky events or people drinking excessively for the sake of it; we just want respect and the ability to do our jobs.”

On The Tools describes itself on its website as “the largest and most engaged online construction community for UK tradespeople.” Sponsors of the awards ceremony included Jewson, CT1, Dulux Trade, Howdens, Renault Trucks, SIG Roofing, Toolstation, and Wienerberger.

Lee Wilcox, the CEO of On The Tools, issued a public apology on LinkedIn, stating that the company had used an events contractor to organise the ceremony and had not reviewed the outfits. “We requested a construction theme but didn’t check the costumes. Regardless of the details, this was a serious misstep, and we’re deeply sorry,” he wrote.

Wilcox added, “We always strive to empower women, which is why I’m personally very, very sorry to anyone we’ve offended. Those who know me understand this isn’t what I stand for, and as the leader of the business, our culture and values are a direct reflection of me. This is my responsibility.”

He confirmed that he had personally reached out to both Allen and Waley-Cohen to apologise.

Reflecting on the incident, Allen said, “I’m trying to see the silver lining—hopefully, this will wake people up to just how dire the situation is for women right now.”

Allen’s research for her forthcoming book, Building Women: How Everyone in Construction Can Win, revealed that one in four women in the industry were sexually assaulted at work in 2023, amounting to approximately 74,000 women in British construction.

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