Using wearable technological devices to improve workplace health and safety: An assessment on a sector base with multi-criteria decision-making methods

Abstract

In occupational health and safety, it is important to use personal protective equipment that reduces or prevents injury to employees during an accident. Advanced sensors and computing technologies that can be worn on the body to create, store and transmit data during daily activities are wearable technology products. These products also make significant contributions to employee health and safety. The use of wearable technologies, which are very important in creating a safe work environment, is seen as a promising solution in contributing to the reduction of accidents and increasing industrial efficiency by increasing employee safety, reducing hazards and risks in sectors where occupational accidents are common.The study, it is aimed to prioritize the use of wearable technology devices in sectors that have potential risks that may cause fatigue, injury, error, and accident of employees due to labor-intensive and challenging tasks. Within the scope of this target, five alternatives and eight criteria were determined in line with the literature research and expert opinions. The criteria weights were determined by the AHP method, and the ranking of the alternatives was made by the AHP and PROMETHEE methods. Alternatives are listed as construction, mining, agriculture, textile, and chemistry. The increase in the use of wearable technology devices in the leading sectors in terms of work accidents and occupational diseases will open a new door to occupational safety and health management in the sectors and will significantly reduce health and safety problems.