Wearable Sensors for Healthcare of Industrial Workers: A Scoping Review
Juhyeon Moon, Byeong‐Kwon Ju
Abstract
Background and Objectives: This scoping review evaluates the use of wearable sensor technologies for workplace safety and health monitoring in industrial settings. The aim is to synthesize evidence on the impact of these sensors and their application in high-risk environments. Materials and Methods: Following the PRISMA guidelines, a systematic search across four international electronic databases yielded 59 studies, of which 17 were included in the final review. The selection criteria involved studies that specifically utilized wearable sensors to monitor various health and environmental parameters relevant to industrial workers. Results: The analysis categorizes wearable technologies into five distinct groups based on their function: gas monitoring technologies, heart rate and physiological data collection, fatigue and activity monitoring, comprehensive environmental and physiological monitoring, and advanced sensing and data collection systems. These devices demonstrated substantial benefits in terms of early detection of health risks and enhancement of safety protocols. Conclusions: The review concludes that wearable sensor technologies significantly contribute to workplace safety by providing real-time, data-driven insights into environmental hazards and workers’ physiological status, thus supporting proactive health management practices in industrial settings. Further research is recommended to address the challenges of data privacy, sensor reliability, and cost-effective integration to maximize their potential in occupational health safety.