Safety evaluation and feedback system and method

Abstract

Systems and methods are discussed for providing a sensor enhanced employee safety evaluation system. Sensors that monitor employee behavior are placed at the workplace of an insured entity. Data from the sensors are processed to obtain a safety evaluation. Based on the safety evaluation, the insurance provider can adjust the terms of the insurance policy to accurately reflect the risks associated with the insured entity. Feedback based on the safety evaluation is also provided to the insured entity and the employees of the insured entity to promote improvements in safe behavior.

1 . A safety evaluation system comprising:
 a plurality of sensors configured to monitor actions performed by employees of an insured entity;   a computerized safety evaluation processor configured to:
 collect data from the plurality of sensors; 
 analyze the collected data; 
 output a safety evaluation related to the performed actions based at least in part on the analysis; 
   an output device configured to provide feedback to the employees that is as least in part based on the outputted safety evaluation; and   a communications processor for communicating at least one of the collected data and the safety evaluation to a server operated by an insurance company.   
     
     
         2 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the communications processor is configured for communicating the safety evaluation from the computerized safety evaluation processor to the output device. 
     
     
         3 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the output device provides real-time feedback to the employees, and wherein the feedback comprises at least one of a visual, audio, or tactile stimulus. 
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of sensors are worn by at least one of the employees, and wherein the sensors output data indicative of the lifting behavior of a respective wearer. 
     
     
         5 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of sensors comprise sensors coupled to articles of personal protective equipment, and wherein the sensors are configured to log the number of times a person fails to properly use the articles of personal protective equipment. 
     
     
         6 . The system of  claim 5 , wherein the outputted safety evaluation is unfavorable when the logged number of times is over a predetermined threshold. 
     
     
         7 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the insurance company provides workers compensation insurance coverage for the entity. 
     
     
         8 . A method of evaluating employee safety, the method comprising:
 monitoring by a plurality of sensors actions performed by employees of an insured entity;   collecting by a computerized safety evaluation processor data from the plurality of sensors;   analyzing by the computerized safety evaluation processor the collected data;   outputting by the computerized safety evaluation processor a safety evaluation related to the performed actions based at least in part on the analysis;   providing by an output device feedback to the employees that is as least in part based on the outputted safety evaluation; and   communicating by a communications processor at least one of the collected data and the safety evaluation to a server operated by an insurance company providing the entity workers' compensation insurance.   
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein the communications processor is configured for communicating the safety evaluation from the computerized safety evaluation processor to the output device. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein providing feedback comprises providing feedback in real-time to the employees, and wherein the feedback comprises at least one of a visual, audio, or tactile stimulus. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein the plurality of sensors are worn by at least one of the employees, and wherein the sensors output data indicative of the lifting behavior of a respective wearer. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein the plurality of sensors comprise sensors coupled to articles of personal protective equipment, and wherein the sensors are configured to log the number of times a person fails to properly use the articles of personal protective equipment. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the outputted safety evaluation is unfavorable when the logged number of times is over a predetermined threshold. 
     
     
         14 . A safety evaluation system comprising:
 a plurality of sensors configured to monitor the lifting behavior of employees of an insured entity;   a computerized safety evaluation processor configured to:
 collect data from the plurality of sensors; 
 analyze the collected data to determine the lifting behavior; 
 output a safety evaluation related to the lifting behavior based at least in part on the analysis; 
   an output device configured to provide feedback to the employees that is as least in part based on the outputted safety evaluation; and   a communications processor for communicating at least one of the collected data and the safety evaluation to a server operated by an insurance company providing the entity workers' compensation insurance.   
     
     
         15 . The safety evaluation system of  claim 14 , wherein the plurality of sensors are configured to monitor employee posture during lifting. 
     
     
         16 . The safety evaluation system of  claim 14 , wherein the plurality of sensors are configured to monitor employee body rotation during lifting. 
     
     
         17 . The safety evaluation system of  claim 14 , wherein the plurality of sensors comprise pressure sensors for measuring distribution of an employee's weight during lifting. 
     
     
         18 . The safety evaluation system of  claim 14 , comprising a portable computing device configured for wirelessly receiving data output by the sensors for an individual employee and for wirelessly transmitting data indicative of the received data to the computerized safety evaluation processor. 
     
     
         19 . The safety evaluation system of  claim 18 , wherein the portable computing device comprises one of a personal digital assistant, a cellular phone, and a smart phone. 
     
     
         20 . The safety evaluation system of  claim 18 , wherein the portable computing device comprises a BLUETOOTH transceiver for receiving the data output by the sensors and at least one of a WIFI transceiver and a cellular transceiver for transmitting the data indicative of the received data to the computerized safety evaluation processor. 
     
     
         21 . The safety evaluation system of  claim 18 , wherein the portable computing device comprises the output device.