Wearable technology at work
Back-Track has launched in the UK, aiming to tackle the leading cause of workplace absence – back pain.
Back-Track, which looks and feels like a pedometer, retrains employees to help them prevent injuries and to help those return to
work if they are already suffering.
Worn on a belt, Back-Track continually monitors posture and
identifies when someone is adopting a poor lifting posture – such as in a
warehouse – and vibrates to alert them to use a different lifting technique
that won’t hurt their back. This alert is recorded and uploaded to a
website where employers can see who might be most at risk of injury and
then coach them towards doing things more safely.
Clients in the UK include Coca Cola Enterprises, TNT and DHL Supply Chain. TNT have recorded a reduction in back related absence of 62% and
DHL have won a Corporate Innovation award for reducing absence and injuries with Back-Track.
Back-Track is also used for getting people back to work sooner if they are suffering with back
problems. The Rehabilitation function tracks activity levels, reminding users to give their back (and neck, shoulders, legs) a break and to walk for
a minute every 30 minutes.
