Wearable tech for worker safety: From smart helmets to GPS trackers

Worker safety is a massive priority across the construction, rail, and engineering industries. But in recent years, we’ve seen a shift in the tools we use to keep people safe, with one of the biggest developments being wearable tech.

From smart helmets to GPS trackers and biometric monitors, this tech is starting to make a real difference on worksites. It’s not just about preventing injuries from incidents anymore, it’s about preventing them altogether.

Smart Helmets: A new kind of hard hat

Depending on the brand and design, smart helmets can offer a range of advanced features. Such as impact detection, real time health monitoring, early hazard alerts to help prevent accidents, live audio and video streaming, and visual data displays.

An example of one of the new smart construction helmets is The Armet PRO, developed under Båstadgruppen’s Guardio brand, which comes fitted with cutting edge sensor tech from Quin, allowing it to detect falls, impacts and automatically call for help when needed.
If the wearer experiences a fall, an impact from above, or any kind of collision, the helmet analyses the event in real time to assess whether emergency assistance should be triggered. The Armet Pro can also track a worker’s return to a safe zone, sending emergency alerts if the worker does not return as expected, an automatic alert, explaining the nature of the event and location of the operative. is sent to registered contacts if the wearer comes into any issues or doesn’t return on time.

GPS trackers

Whether embedded in vests or worn as wristbands, GPS trackers help to monitor a worker’s location in real time. In large industrial sites or remote locations, this is vital for rapid response in case of emergency. It also allows for better coordination during evacuations or search-and-rescue efforts.

One standout in the world of wearable GPS safety tech is the Triax Spot-r, a device designed specifically for the construction and industrial workforce. It’s more than just a tracker, it’s a real-time safety and workforce management tool. The Triax Spot-r is a wearable sensor that clips onto a worker’s belt or harness. It provides real-time location data and safety alerts on construction sites or other dynamic environments. It’s designed to improve visibility into worker movements, enhance safety incident response, and optimise site operations.

Connected safety vests

Even vests have had a high tech makeover. You can now get versions equipped with lights, haptic feedback for alerts, airbag technology, and connectivity to control centres. Some even have panic buttons, enabling workers to call for help instantly.

Aatmunn, formerly Guardhat’s connected safety vests are part of its comprehensive wearable technology suite designed to enhance worker safety in industrial environments. These vests integrate with Guardhat’s Industrial Internet of People (IIoP) platform, enabling real-time monitoring of worker health, location, and environmental conditions. Key features include fall detection, fatigue monitoring, and proximity alerts to hazardous areas. Additionally, the vests support two-way communication, allowing workers to send distress signals and receive alerts.

Smart glasses and AR devices

Smart glasses provide displays that can show blueprints, safety checklists, or hazard warnings. Workers can access key information hands-free, increasing productivity while keeping safety front and center.

The Vuzix M4000 smart glasses enhance real-time data access by allowing workers to view construction plans and real-time data overlays directly in their line of sight, reducing downtime and the need for handheld devices. In terms of communication, devices like RealWear‘s AR headsets enable seamless remote guidance for engineers, improving collaboration and reducing delays. Safety improvements are also a key benefit, as Vuzix Blade smart glasses help increase situational awareness and hazard alerts, exemplified by Balfour Beatty‘s use of them on job sites.

At Cavendish we care a lot about our operatives’ safety. we provide PPE to all of our operatives who need it, and maybe one day we will offer the high tech gear we’ve discussed