In this #StudyFinds episode of #ProveItPod, we dive into the complex world of measuring workplace safety technology and cognitive awareness. Can we use brain-scanning technology (fNIRS) to determine if a worker actually perceives a hazard, rather than just looking at it? Having spent years researching occupational risk perceptions, Dr. Matt Law breaks down the massive real-world hurdles of this new study—from the 5-to-10-second latency of blood flow to the physical impossibility of wearing a brain scanner under a hard hat on a 95-degree day.

Key Takeaways:

• The Hardware Hurdle: Why the gap between a pristine, climate-controlled laboratory and a chaotic jobsite makes fNIRS monitoring a non-starter for field use.
• The Auditory Contradiction: The study proves hearing is critical for spatial awareness and risk perception. So, how does standard safety PPE (hearing protection) impact a worker's neurological ability to identify hazards?
• Actionable Risk Perception: You don't need a brain scanner to improve safety. We discuss how understanding your workforce's demographics—like birthplace and age—can help you tailor training and improve risk perception organically.

References:

Lee, K., Pooladvand, S., Esmaeili, B., & Hasanzadeh, S. (2024). Understanding construction workers' risk perception using neurophysiological responses. Journal of Computing in Civil Engineering, 38(6), Article 04024039. https://doi.org/10.1061/JCCEE5.CPENG-5906

Law, M. E. (2023). Occupational risk perceptions among foreign-born construction workers in central Florida (Publication No. 30493718) [Doctoral study, Walden University]. ProQuest Dissertations & Theses Global.

In this #StudyFinds episode of #ProveItPod, Dr. Matt Law brings back the conversation from Episode 106 regarding the industry's toxic obsession with "Complacency." Thanks to a clinical psychology study sent over by his wife, we look at the fMRI neuroscience of "Recreational Fear" to validate why the C-word is a myth—it’s just the brain's Default Mode Network (DMN) achieving cognitive efficiency.

We revisit the failure of "Scare Tactics" (Threat Appeals) from Episodes 108/109, and discuss how replacing gory safety videos with high-arousal, controlled simulations (like VR or escape-room style drills) can actually train the brain to safely sever the DMN and snap into the Salience Network (active hazard recognition) without causing defensive avoidance.

References:

Petrova, K. (2025, October). Controlled fear might temporarily alter brain patterns linked to depression. PsyPost. https://www.psypost.org/controlled-fear-might-temporarily-alter-brain-patterns-linked-to-depression/

Zhan, Y., & Ding, X. (2025). Fear-pleasure paradox in recreational fear: Neural correlates and therapeutic potential in depression. Psychology Research and Behavior Management, 18, 1-15. https://doi.org/10.2147/PRBM.S529004

In this episode of #ProveItPod, we dive into the complex world of workplace #safety #technology with Kenna Stanley. It’s easy to get distracted by the "shiny object" of new tech, but as we discuss today, successful implementation comes down to #culture, #readiness, and the human element. We explore the gap between academic #research and real-world application, the very real danger of alert fatigue, and why asking your workers two simple questions might be the best first step you can take.

Key Takeaways:

• Culture over Infrastructure: Having the IT resources to implement tech is only half the battle. Without cultural buy-in and worker engagement, even the best tools will be sunsetted within a year.
• Beware of Alert Fatigue: Technology should enhance safety without overwhelming the worker. Too many notifications can lead to the "boy who cried wolf" effect, rendering proximity sensors and wearables useless.
• The Two Magic Questions: Not sure where to start? Ask your workers: Where is our next fatality going to happen? and What can we do about it? * Bridging the Research Gap: Why EHS professionals need systematic, unbiased reviews of safety tech rather than relying solely on siloed lab studies or vendor sales pitches.

About Our Guest: Kenna Stanley is a Research Manager with the National Safety Council, where she specializes in workplace safety, technology adoption, and human-centered innovation. With a background in criminology and behavioral science from the University of Florida, she brings together data and human factors to shape practical strategies to make workplaces safer and more secure. Connect with Kenna on LinkedIn

Resources Mentioned:

Work to Zero Digital Readiness Assessment

NSC Spring Safety Summit – (Join us on May 6th for the Safety Technology Workshop!)