Bridging the gap: Using technology to capture the old & encourage the new

For the first time in history, our workforce has four generations working together simultaneously, each with their unique method of learning, communication, and relationship to safety. Many of our top safety advocates are close to retiring. Once they have left the workforce, it will be the responsibility of the next generations to see that safety continues to move forward. Facilitating a smooth transition may lie in the application and utilization of technology. Discovering a good blend of current and emerging technology and training methods, coupled with more human interaction, can lead to the development of a safety program that can effectively target each generation. The future of safety lies in our ability to avoid alienating the older generations with the overuse of technology, yet use it sufficiently to keep the younger generations interested. We must use technology to unite, capture and involve the experience of old and transform it into a medium that will encourage the new. This paper will shed light on the growing generational gaps; the emerging issues inherently tied to this growth; and discuss the potential application of current and emerging technologies that can help bridge a gap between generations that technology has created in the last few decades.