The industrial safety industry has seen a lot of evolution over the past century. Before regulations in the 1960s, workplace deaths were at an all-time high. Over time, improvements were made in working conditions and the number of incidents began to decrease.
According to the National Center for Biotechnology Information, the first call for US occupational safety and health laws by labor organizations was recorded in 1867. The first workers’ compensation laws were enacted in 1911 and it took until 1948, only 70 years ago, for all US states to have workers compensation laws.
The number of incidents and deaths on the job have decreased dramatically even recently. According to the Fortune, “Four decades ago, 14,000 U.S. workers were killed on the job each year. Now, that number is closer to 5,000”. But, some industries, like construction, are actually seeing the downward trend increase and many industries and businesses are seeing plateaus in their numbers. And, I think everyone can agree, that even one worker whose death is linked to his or her job is one too many.
But, today, we’re on the precipice of change. Paper-based processes, rigid software systems, and tools that don’t begin to address the underlying cultural needs have landed us at a plateau that is ripe for disruption and digital transformation
With a truly unique vision, collaborative approach, and the willingness to move fast – we believe we can take that plateau down even further. And your frontline workers are just the ones to lead the charge.
Early Signs of Success
When we talk to front-line workers with 5, 10, even 40+ years of experience who are used to the old way of work, they all raise the same two questions for a new process:
- Will someone even look at this?
- Why is this worth my time?
If our goal was to simply hand over a digital version of the old way of working, not much would change. However, when we change the culture and empower the workers, the answers to the questions become easy and the new tool begins to sell itself.
Will someone look at this?
When deploying a truly new tool that is designed to drive change, not just deliver the old tool digitally, we start to change the metric that is measured. Previously, with paper and the inability to have real-time data and visibility across a workforce, many companies could only measure the success of paper processes by ensuring forms were eventually filled out. Success was measured by checking the box.
In the new world, when the information you provide your team has immediate values to help keep your coworkers safer, and yourself safer, there’s immediate value gained in real-time. We build feedback loops into the product to drive conversations and scale the ability to have those conversations beyond proximity. The information put in by more experienced technicians helps keep new technicians training safer. And, it better communicates the needs for a safer workplace than ever before. Your conversations are backed by data, photos, and real stories that drive change throughout the organization; even when those that make the decisions can’t physically be with the technician performing the work.
Why is this worth my time?
Because we believe that you, the frontline worker, has the most valuable information your company can have in your brain, in your experience, and in how you do the job. We believe in elevating your voice to your coworkers, your company, and your team so we can take that insight and deliver it across the world. Every data input you provide back to the system creates a safer workplace not only for you, but for your colleagues today, and tomorrow. Visibility drives accountability, conversation drives change, and together we’re creating a safer culture and work environment for everyone.
Creating a safer workplace doesn’t come from the safety team, it comes from every single worker on the floor, or at the job site, each day.
Where do we begin?
If your business is struggling with a plateau of safety metrics and old tools leaving you feeling limited, and often like a compliance “babysitter” instead of a championship team coach, let’s talk.
ANVL is piloting workforce solutions that allow you to engage your workforce, deliver your custom business processes, and learn from your data.
Diana Nolting serves as Director of Product at Anvl. Before joining Anvl Diana served as Product Manager at Bluelock, a industry-leading Disaster Recovery-as-a-Service provider where she had a front-row seat to see the magnitude of change and possibility that digital transformation can bring to the business, particularly when cloud technologies are applied to solve business problems. At Anvl, Diana is responsible for driving the product strategy and vision, ensuring both continues to evolve and innovate to serve needs of the safety industry and deliver continuous value.
