Technology applied to hygiene and safety: use and benefits

Society and technology go together in terms of progress. As one grows the other adapts and vice versa. Evolution is continuous and simultaneous. But... why is this so? Well, human beings have the possibility (and the obligation, we could say) to adapt and use new technologies to achieve a better quality of life and better work experiences.

Needless to say, hygiene and safety has been one of the areas that has benefited the most in terms of the application of technology in the metalworking industry sector.

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Creating simple, automated processes to record data, update the status of any corrective activity, and escalate all kinds of issues up the chain to make sure they don't get overlooked will help make your job easier and easier to control.

For example, if data within your risk management information system indicates slips, trips, and falls occurring continuously at a certain location in your company's building, the system can automatically trigger a heightened activity alert.

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From there, you can automate all the necessary follow-up activities, like instructing maintenance staff to place a non-slip mat in the area, and then track whether that action has been completed, and even allow you to easily and immediately compare data to see if corrective action is having an impact on the slip, trip, and fall numbers or if you need to reassess.

So how do you benefit from it?

The list of advantages of technology applied to risk management could last forever, keep in mind that your company will obtain greater value if you choose a technology that facilitates interactivity between risk and security departments.

Risk managers and security professionals play important roles, but they are not always in sync. When they work together as a team, good things happen that are visible in the results.

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And with the use of technology, which breaks down silos between all departments, including risk and security, both teams can combine their operational expertise and influence to benefit all stakeholders in an organization by helping better communication, data real-time achieving increased productivity.

To effectively control and prevent hazards, as a manager you should:

• Involve workers, who often have the best understanding of the conditions that create hazards and knowledge of how they can be controlled.
• Identify and evaluate options to control hazards, using a "hierarchy of controls."
• Use a hazard control plan to guide the selection and implementation of controls, and implement the controls according to the plan.
• Develop plans with measures to protect workers during emergencies and non-routine activities.
• Assess the effectiveness of existing controls to determine if they continue to provide protection or if different controls may be more effective. Review new technologies to determine their potential to be more protective, more reliable, or less expensive.

Finally, security technology not only manages to reduce occupational risks but also helps you make your employees more efficient and productive... therefore happier. Technology in factories is an essential aspect that you must take into account since it has a positive impact, achieving greater (and better) labor participation and healthier, more satisfied, and more productive workers.

Are you already using applied technologies in your metalworking company?