Transform your safety programs with technology

From wearables and smart personal protective equipment to mobile devices, safety leaders are leveraging mobility and Internet of things technologies to collect data on how their employees are working and to analyze this data to make changes to their programs. Safety professionals can identify previously unknown safety risks and take proactive measures to avoid, minimize or mitigate them going forward.

The advancement of these solutions and analytical capabilities is helping drive improved safety programs across the globe.

For example, today, IoT solutions are being used to help identify when employees are distracted or drowsy in real time and take measures to prevent injuries before they happen based on predictive analytics. These advancements are particularly useful for workers performing repetitive work or highly technical work that requires attention to detail.

Companies are making strategic investments into predictive analytics and developing partnerships with various wearables and IoT solutions to ensure environmental, health and safety professionals leverage all of this information to drive continuous improvement across their operations.

Use audit applications to identify key risks and take action

Additionally, companies are leveraging EHS management software to help streamline their audit programs. What used to be done on paper and housed in filing cabinets or homegrown systems is being migrated to the web.

Audit teams can leverage a full range of tools, such as mobility, to capture observations, findings and exemplary practices in real time rather than trying to remember their notes when they get back to the hotel or office.

Using off-the-shelf solutions eliminates the administrative headaches associated with managing in-house systems and helps break down data silos, which make audit programs more efficient and effective.

Dawn of a new era

It’s the beginning of a new era for EHS professionals. By leveraging mobility, IoT, analytics for big data initiatives and EHS management solutions, EHS departments are able to drive continuous improvement across their companies, improve employee safety programs and demonstrate that there is tremendous value in the work they do. Technology is helping to drive proactive decision-making throughout operations, which can reduce or eliminate costly errors that could have led to injuries or fatalities.

Editor's note: This article represents the independent views of the author and should not be construed as a National Safety Council endorsement.