Technology offers unprecedented opportunity to prevent workplace injuries and deaths, and organizations increasingly are embracing these new innovations.
By Kenna Stanley, NSC senior research associate,
and Paige DeBaylo, NSC research manager
New research reveals promising momentum in workplace safety innovation, with nearly two-thirds of employers actively exploring life-saving technologies. While implementation barriers still exist, organizations are increasingly finding ways to overcome such barriers and try new innovations to protect their workers.
More than 5,200 workers in the United States lost their lives to job-related injuries in 2023, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. That same year, private employers reported 2.6 million nonfatal injuries and illnesses. While both figures reflect modest declines from 2022, they still represent thousands of lives altered or lost.
The good news? Organizations are increasingly turning to technology for solutions. According to a new report from the National Safety Council, Safety Technology 2024: Examining Trends in Technology Solutions Used to Reduce Serious Injuries and Fatalities in the Workplace, 65% of employers have recently researched or considered adopting new safety technologies. Even more encouraging: 83% of employees report being open to using these innovative tools.
The comprehensive study analyzed survey data from 500 employers and 1,000 employees in high-risk industries. Researchers compared findings from 2020 and 2023 to track changes in priorities, attitudes and implementation of safety technologies.
To better understand workplace risks, survey respondents were asked two key questions: how likely they, or their employees, are exposed to specific hazards, and whether these hazards had contributed to a serious injury on the job.
The research identified four hazards that pose the greatest combined risk of exposure and injury:
Notably, some less visible risks — like lack of proper training and lack of workplace awareness — were among the leading contributors to injuries despite being perceived as less likely. These findings reinforce the need for safety strategies that address both visible hazards and underlying systemic gaps.
Figure 1: Comparison of employee (green) and employer (white) responses on the likelihood of exposure and contributors to injuries
The survey explored a wide range of safety technologies, from risk management software and artificial intelligence (AI) to robotics, wearables and extended reality. From 2020 to 2023, employers reported greater recognition of safety technologies and increased interest in implementing them. Construction companies led the way, with 84% considering new technologies compared to 57-72% in other industries.
The most commonly used technologies include:
They were also asked whether they were actively considering, testing or trialing the technologies within their workplaces. According to these results, the top emerging technologies included:
Many of these technologies have been applied to specific workplace incidents as well, such as musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs). MSDs are injuries or conditions that affect the muscles, nerves, tendons, joints, cartilage or spinal discs. At the MSD Solutions Lab, with funding and support from Amazon, research and programs center on eliminating work-related MSDs that are caused or aggravated by the conditions in which people work.
Figure 2: Components of a comprehensive ergonomics or MSD prevention program
One way in which organizations can mitigate MSDs in their workplaces is through the implementation of emerging technologies. As displayed in the house-shaped diagram in Figure 2, a key component of an ergonomics or MSD prevention program is innovation and collaboration, which entails the trialing and implementing of emerging technologies to eliminate MSD risks.
Innovating and collaborating can be thought of as “turning the lights on” in an ergonomics or MSD prevention program. It’s the element that brings everything together, where new ideas and innovative technologies can help elevate and connect the more traditional aspects of an ergonomics or MSD prevention program.
Some of those technologies that can allow employers to "turn on the lights" of innovation within ergonomics or MSD prevention programs are:
Technologies can be a game-changer for organizations aiming to eliminate MSD risks. As technologies continue to emerge, organizations should focus on building strong safety cultures that value sharing feedback and adaptability to continuously improve safety outcomes and learn from implemented technologies. Organizations interested in learning more about technology pilots for MSD prevention can check out the MSD Solutions Commons to read case studies from organizations who have trialed technologies in their organizations for the prevention of MSDs.
Despite growing interest, gaps remain between recognizing technology’s potential and actual implementation. Employers cite several key barriers:
The Work to Zero program at the National Safety Council is dedicated to making innovation accessible to all employers. Through resources like the five-step Safety Innovation Journey and the TechHub Marketplace, organizations can take actionable steps to evaluate, pilot, and implement life-saving technologies.
Technology offers unprecedented opportunities to prevent workplace injuries and save lives. The question isn't whether to adopt these tools—it's how quickly organizations can overcome barriers and put them to work protecting their most valuable asset: their people.
To explore the full Safety Technology 2024 report, along with case studies, implementation guides and assessment tools, visit nsc.org/worktozero.
With a century-long legacy, the National Safety Council is a global center for safety expertise. Let's work together to align resources. We look forward to learning about ways we can join efforts to expand safety everywhere!
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