An initiative to work with ‘cobots’ on workplace safety has earnt Flinders’ Dr Sara Howard a Safework SA Augusta Zadow Award, which comes with a $15,000 grant to further her research.

Each year, SafeWork SA funds projects that will improve the work health and safety of working women and young workers, with three winners selected from the record 25 applications received this year.

Dr Howard is a research fellow at Flinders University’s Australian Industrial Transformation Institute. Her project will explore VET students’ perceptions and experiences of ‘cobots’ – collaborative robots – to learn how emerging technology can be applied safely and effectively in work environments.

It is unknown how young students transitioning to the workforce will approach these technologies and whether generational familiarity and reliance on technology could result in issues such as complacency,  potentially negating safety features.

With young workers already at increased risk of workplace injury because of their unique safety profile and development stage, findings from Dr Howard’s research will be used to tailor educational programs and better prepare young workers for workplaces of the future.

The annual awards were presented by Governor of South Australia, the Hon Hieu Van Le AC, on 31 August 2018 at Government House.