Human resources

Seven Steps to Safer Operations

These steps can help companies that are looking to digitize their paper-based safety audit programs, inspections, observations, work permit procedures, or other operational processes.

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Reducing job-site injuries and safety hazards is the ultimate goal for many health and safety professionals. Unlike those in office jobs, field operators and field service technicians face safety hazards on a daily basis. Whether it is the risks of being on the road or the very real perils of working with wind turbines or oil rigs, their jobs come with more than their fair share of safety concerns.

Of course, safety is important not only for people’s wellbeing but also for a business’s bottom line. A 2016 National Safety Council report showed the average cost of a minor workplace injury to be 16 times higher than the cost of prevention and as much as 48 times greater for serious injuries or fatalities. Shockingly, 78% of safety professionals are still using outdated methods to manage safety tasks, and, as a result, only 19% are being notified of safety hazards in real time.

A study published by the American Society of Safety Engineers found that investment in safety programs and cloud technology yield between USD 2 and 6 in return for every USD 1 invested, with an average safety return on investment (ROI) of USD 4.14. Furthermore, a strong injury- and illness-prevention program has shown to achieve a 15–35% reduction in workplace injuries.

As companies look to digitize their paper-based safety audit programs, inspections, observations, work permit procedures, or other operational processes, there are seven key steps.

Read the full article in HSE Now here.