Following the tragic murder of an OCMW employee in Ghent two weeks ago, discussions on staff safety have intensified, particularly around the use of smart technology. On 2025-08-26 15:58:00, the municipality of Nieuwpoort held a meeting to explore new safety measures for social service workers conducting home visits.
- OCMW-medewerkers krijgen slimme smartwatches voor veiligheid
- Smartwatches bieden locatiebepaling en valdetectie functies
- Meeluisterfunctie helpt collega’s bij noodsituaties
- Smartwatches zijn discreter dan smartphones bij conflicten
- Juridisch onderzoek naar privacy en opnamewetten loopt
- Implementatie gepland tegen eind dit jaar in Nieuwpoort
One promising solution is the introduction of smartwatches equipped with location tracking, fall detection, and emergency communication features. Could this discreet technology provide better protection than traditional smartphones, which can be easily taken away during confrontations?
As Nieuwpoort considers these devices for 15 to 20 employees, including social workers and liaison officers, questions remain about legal implications and the best system to implement. What steps will the city take to ensure privacy laws are respected while enhancing worker safety?
Introducing smartwatches for social workers raises important considerations about effectiveness and privacy. How will these devices change the daily work environment? The benefits include:
- Real-time location tracking and fall detection for quick response
- Remote audio monitoring and possible participation in conversations during emergencies
- Greater discretion and security compared to smartphones, which can be confiscated
- Need for thorough legal review to comply with Belgian privacy laws
As Nieuwpoort moves forward with this plan, it sets an example for other Belgian municipalities. Will other cities follow suit in adopting wearable safety tech? Monitoring the legal and practical outcomes will be crucial to protecting vulnerable workers across the country.
