This report provides a comprehensive analysis of the global patent landscape in the field of Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) technologies, focusing on three key areas: Prediction, Detection, and Protection technologies. These innovations aim to enhance workplace safety through advanced methods like statistical analysis, machine learning, and real-time monitoring systems. The study reveals a dynamic field driven by technological advancements, regulatory requirements, and increasing awareness of workplace hazards.
Around 452,000 inventions (patent families) filed in the OHS field over the last 20 years have been identified (including around 65,000 international patent families (IPFs)).
Prediction technologies account for around 15,000 patent families (3% of the OHS dataset), with a 26.4% compound annual growth rate (CAGR) between 2018 and 2023. Technologies like AI-driven machine learning and behavior-based safety are gaining prominence, while traditional statistical methods are declining. China dominates the patent landscape, accounting for 75% of published patents, followed by the Republic of Korea and the United States. The shift toward behavior-based and AI-driven safety measures reflects the sector's growing reliance on predictive and data-driven solutions.
Detection technologies account for 160,000 patent families (35% of the OHS dataset). This field has experienced significant growth, peaking in 2021, driven by advancements in IoT, AI and wearable devices. Technology areas such as safety software, fire and gas detection, and location-based safety systems have been pivotal in improving real-time hazard identification and response. While China leads in the number of published patents, the United States and European countries focus on internationalized inventions (IPFs). However, a decline in filings after 2021 is visible overall (including in the number of IPFs).
Protection technologies represent the largest share, almost 280,000 patent families, which constitutes approximately 62% of overall OHS dataset. These technologies encompass innovations in personal protective equipment (PPE), ventilation systems, ergonomic workspace design, and wearable devices. This area saw a surge of patent filings during the COVID-19 pandemic, particularly in respiratory protection and filtration systems, which peaked in 2021. Despite a slight decline in recent years, steady interest remains in wearable devices and ergonomic solutions. China again leads with over 120,000 patent families, followed by the United States and European countries.
Geographically, this patent landscape report finds that China has a dominant role in domestic patent filings, whereas the United States and European countries focus on a more internationalized patenting strategy. India emerges as a consistent innovator in Prediction and Detection, maintaining its specialization in this domain. The analysis also highlights the importance of key markets like Japan, the Republic of Korea, and Germany for global patent coverage.
Key players driving OHS innovations include 3M, Microsoft, Samsung and Sony, alongside large Chinese companies such as Huawei and the State Grid Corporation of China (SGCC). Emerging companies like Chengdu QinChuan IoT Technology are rapidly gaining traction, particularly in AI and IoT-based solutions. Academic institutions such as Tsinghua University and Zhejiang University have also laid a strong foundation for innovation within China, supporting industrial leaders in this field.
In conclusion, the OHS patent landscape reflects regional disparities and a dynamic shift toward AI-driven and data-centric solutions. China leads in terms of patent volume, but significant contributions are also made by the United States, Japan, the Republic of Korea, and increasingly, India. This diversity underscores the global nature of innovation in this field. Despite a slight decline in patent filings post-COVID-19, a consistently high rate of patenting activity in this domain suggests a robust commitment from industrial and academic stakeholders worldwide. This momentum presents an opportunity to foster equitable progress in addressing work-related accidents and diseases across regions. By leveraging the collective efforts of global innovators within all sectors, but especially within the construction sector, advancements can be disseminated more widely, ensuring that the benefits of these technologies reach workers in all countries, irrespective of their development status.