A Qualitative Examination of the Sectoral Applications of Next-Generation Smart Personal Protective Equipment

Abstract

The next generation of personal protective equipment (PPE) equipped with smart technologies represents an innovative solution designed to enhance worker safety and operational efficiency. Smart PPE possesses the capability to monitor environmental conditions and employee movements, allowing for the proactive identification of potential hazards and the prevention of accidents. However, several barriers, including high costs, deficiencies in training, inadequate regulatory frameworks, and concerns regarding user privacy, limit the widespread adoption of these technologies. This paper examines the application of PPE in the field of occupational safety. It discusses the integration of technologies such as smart sensors, the Internet of Things (IoT), data analytics, and artificial intelligence into PPE to prevent workplace accidents, monitor work environments, and safeguard employee health. Through interviews conducted with occupational safety experts across various sectors, the paper explores the advantages and limitations of smart PPE and analyzes the perspectives of industry representatives regarding its implementation in Turkey. Participants advocate for the mandatory adoption of smart PPE in high-risk occupations while highlighting issues such as data privacy and psychological pressure. The paper emphasizes the contribution of smart PPE to the culture of occupational safety, recommending that cost-benefit analyses be conducted and that legal regulations be developed to enhance the effectiveness of the technology.

Keywords

• Smart personal protective equipment
• occupational safety
• smart technologies
• data privacy

Yeni Nesil Akıllı Kişisel Koruyucu Donanımların Sektörel Kullanımına Yönelik Niteliksel Bir İnceleme

Abstract

Akıllı teknolojilerle donatılan yeni nesil kişisel koruyucu donanımlar (KKD), çalışanların güvenliği ve iş verimliliğini artırmak için geliştirilen bir çözümdür. Akıllı KKD'ler, ortam koşullarını ve çalışan hareketlerini izleme, potansiyel tehlikeleri önceden tespit etme ve kazaları engelleme potansiyeline sahiptir. Bununla birlikte, yüksek maliyetler, eğitim eksiklikleri, yasal düzenlemelerin yetersizliği ve kullanıcı mahremiyeti gibi engeller bu teknolojilerin geniş ölçekli uygulamalarını kısıtlamaktadır. Bu çalışma, KKD’lerin iş güvenliği alanındaki kullanımını incelemektedir. Çalışmada, iş kazalarını önlemek, çalışma ortamını izlemek ve çalışan sağlığını korumak için akıllı sensörler, nesnelerin interneti (IoT), veri analitiği ve yapay zekâ gibi teknolojilerin KKD’lere entegre edilmesi ele alınmaktadır. Çalışma kapsamında, farklı sektörlerdeki iş güvenliği uzmanlarıyla yapılan görüşmeler sonucunda, akıllı KKD'lerin avantajları ve sınırlılıkları tartışılmakta, Türkiye'deki uygulamalara dair sektör temsilcilerinin görüşleri analiz edilmektedir. Katılımcılar, yüksek risk içeren işlerde akıllı KKD’lerin zorunlu hale getirilmesini savunurken, veri gizliliği ve psikolojik baskı gibi sorunlara dikkat çekmiştir. Çalışmada akıllı KKD'lerin iş güvenliği kültürüne katkısı vurgulanırken, maliyet-fayda analizlerinin yapılması ve teknolojinin etkinliğini artıracak yasal düzenlemelerin geliştirilmesi önerilmektedir.

Keywords

• Akıllı kişisel koruyucu donanımlar
• iş güvenliği
• akıllı teknolojiler
• veri gizliliği

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