How To Choose The Right Safety Technology For Your Business

In every business, it is essential to be able to predict the potential losses that could occur. There are several methods that can be used to predict losses, but one of the most used is actuarial analysis. By using this method, businesses can identify risks and determine how much money could potentially be lost due to these risks. Doing this allows for proactive decision-making and eliminates the need for costly mistakes.

When choosing the right safety technology for a business, it is essential to consider specific needs. Some factors to consider include the number of employees, the type of work they do, and the hazards they face. It is also important to ensure the safety technology is compatible with the company’s existing systems.

An excellent example of why companies need the right technology for their business starts with understanding what risk is less understandable and causes the most damage. Take, for example, law enforcement; police body cameras are a relatively new technology that is being increasingly used by law enforcement agencies across the United States.

These cameras are mounted on the officers’ bodies and record their interactions with the public. This footage can be used as evidence in criminal investigations and civil lawsuits. In the past, the number one protection was Personal Protective Equipment in the form of body armor to protect them from shootings, but when it came to an understanding of what led to the shootings and what exactly happened, little was known, and that led to criminal cases costing thousands if not millions of dollars in court. The cameras have not solved the crime, but they now provide information that identifies system failures, hazards,and behaviors.

What is the right technology?

Start by asking what the most frequent risks are and how they impact the overall business. Who or what is being affected by these risk factors? If the incidents continue, what methods can be implemented to reduce the worker’s exposures?

In the past, suggestion boxes were placed on businesses to collect feedback; today, there are way too many people providing feedback online.

How is your business collecting feedback?

Who provides the feedback, employees, contractors, customers, or visitors?

Employees are a valuable resource when it comes to providing feedback. Encouraging employees to provide feedback can help improve their work performance and create a more positive work environment.

When selecting the safety technology for a company, make sure is:

1. User-friendly (Browser version vs. Mobile app)

2. Provides employee benefits

a. Electronic Wallet (Certifications & Documents)

b. Feedback Forms (Good Catches& Inspections)

3. Alerts & Notifications (Company Announcements)

4. Start Simple, pick 3 things the company wants to benefit from the technology

a. Document& Provide Training Records

b. Start with 2 or 3 types of inspections (too many forms increase resistance)

c. Acknowledge Participation

How do you implement the right technology for your business?

First, understand that technology alone would not improve the company’s safety. If a business does not establish a process for handling the information that a technology or safety system reveals, it is almost guaranteed that frustration will set in and no positive results will manifest.

Behind every piece of technology, there needs to be a support team; understanding the customer support that comes with the service is crucial, who would be reviewing all the information that is provided by the system? are the company executives prepared for the discoveries and how they would make sure the information gets process?

Businesses constantly change products or services, often all due to thinking that there must be an easier system,but in reality, all technologies have their downsides.

Some typical obstacles.

• Employee acceptance (new employees vs. season employees)

• Desktop vs. Mobile version (Screen Interphase and synching speed)

Why is it essential for all businesses to embrace a safety management system?

A safety manager was considered an OSHA compliance effort from a company and a luxury that only a few could afford. Today, a Safety Manager means Risk Management, and technology can be a great tool if properly embraced.

Exposure is very different these days, and a company cannot afford not to adopt a safety system to help document what is happening in real-time. Today people are documenting everything with their phones. If a company does not have a way to provide evidence that can dispute false accusations or verify events that are under the employer’s control, this could mean a costly loss for the business.