There is no denying the fact that technology is having a monumental impact on all areas of our lives, and safety is one of these. When it comes to industries like manufacturing, rules and regulations are becoming more stringent all of the time.
This is why businesses need to constantly address their risk assessments, technology, and safety policies to ensure they provide a safe working environment. So, with that in mind, let’s take a look at five trends in technology that are going to improve safety in the manufacturing sector.
1. Drones
As drones are able to fill needs for delivery and transportation, they also fill other needs such as reaching places that would otherwise be impossible for inspectors to investigate for safety hazards.
Drones also lower the equipment and costs that are required when it comes to structure and building inspections, as well as lowering the risk. Their capabilities help manufacturing firms carry out safety inspections with greater ease and accuracy. The traditional manual methods for this tend to be costly as well as exposing workers to a number of different health and safety risks that can now be avoided with a drone.
2. 3D Printing
Thanks to 3D printing, the manufacturing process is less segmented. Using a 3D printer to create complex objects has resulted in previous manufacturing processes that could have caused injuries being made redundant.
Not only this, but 3D printing methods are much more efficient. In the past, manufacturing something via traditional methods would have taken days, and with high pressures and demands placed on companies, this could lead to workers working for longer hours than they should. This would naturally increase the risk of accidents happening in the workplace.
3. Real-time Smart Communication Manufacturing Systems
One of the best ways to improve efficiency at your business is to implement real-time advanced manufacturing communication systems. These systems allow you to be apprised of machine failures and breakdowns as soon as they happen, improving reporting times and decreasing downtime.
This is a huge safety benefit, as undetected machine errors can often pose dangerous risks to production workers. With a smart communication manufacturing system, you can also get real-time data on incidents so you can make better improvements and prevent future incidents.
4. Smart Wearables that Connect to Wi-Fi or Bluetooth
Another tech trend that is making the world of manufacturing safer is wearable devices. Technology such as smart visors, watches, and helmets come with sensors and are connected via satellite transmission or mobile to control centres and supervisors, which can help to ensure that all workers are alerted to any potential hazards. Wearable devices that are designed for engineers and technicians working in environments that are hazardous is a huge step in Smart Manufacturing that can lower risk and decrease injuries.
5. Artificial Intelligence
Finally, we have artificial intelligence. The introduction of robots into the manufacturing process is one of the most significant changes to have happened in the past century. Through machine learning, an AI system is able to assess large data sets to figure out meaningful patterns.
This data enables the system to learn and improve without the need to be programmed for a certain task. This means that a machine could be more aware of the environment around it when it is coupled with sensors and the robot can recognize a dangerous situation.
It is evident that there are a number of different technology trends that are making big differences when it comes to the manufacturing industry. While technology can help us to improve efficiency and offer our customers more, it can also help when it comes to making sure that we operate to the highest levels of health and safety and make sure our employees feel secured. From manufacturing communication systems to artificial intelligence, there are many trends that you can capitalize on to make manufacturing safer.
