Evaluating and using emerging technologies

It's important to take a precautionary approach to the introduction and use of new technologies. Find recommendations for best practice approaches.

Though we are still near the start of this technology journey, it is important that the right people are engaged in technology design, development, and evaluation.

Teams—including health and safety professionals—should evaluate new technologies, and only pursue technologies those that can make a positive impact in the workplace.

Occupational illnesses or injuries

New technologies can be used to control or eliminate persistent occupational illnesses or injuries.

Health and safety professionals need to identify benign technologies that can be used to substitute for traditionally risky tasks—for example, reducing exposure to airborne hazards or musculoskeletal risks.

A precautionary approach to emerging technologies

Teams should apply the precautionary principle or policies to the analysis of emerging technologies.

For example, accessing knowledge about safer technologies in New Zealand that does not create health and safety issues.  This helps to ensure that health and safety considerations are made early in the design and use of emerging technologies.

Fostering partnerships

By fostering partnerships between government, industry, and academia, we can help to develop and implement safer designs and principles for more benign technologies.

An iterative risk assessment of new technologies can benefit from a partnership between interested parties—through the design and evaluation process, and by sharing information with health and safety professionals.

This is approach is valuable not just in manufacturing, but also in agriculture, construction, transportation, and healthcare.

Investigating new opportunities in the workplace

Teams should investigate opportunities for using information technology or electronics and communications to monitor and inspect workplace programs, applying or adapting emerging technology to specific workplaces of facilities.

Promote equitable outcomes

We can promote equitable outcomes for workers by investing in training programmes that focus on digital literacy, and supporting workers through digital change.

For example, The New Zealand Productivity Commission (2019) hosted a workshop focusing on how to reduce the ‘digital divide’ within Aotearoa New Zealand and highlighted multiple areas where both businesses and stakeholders could make changes to reduce the inequities that exist around technology usage and access.