Top 10 Safety Improvements Leaders Should Make in 2023

Year after year, workers’ hazards become more complex, and the regulatory requirements placed on companies become more strict. As a result, organizations that want to continue to improve workplace safety and compliance can’t stand still; they must always look for new ways to develop and modernize their safety programs. 

Let’s look at 10 powerful ways companies can enhance workplace safety in 2023. 

 

#1 Preventative Analytics

Traditional safety programs mainly focused on the past, like incidents and injury rates. However, to enhance safety in 2023, companies need to look toward the future, and a shift toward leading indicators and analytics is how they can do that. Standardizing, requiring, and analyzing near-miss, good-catch, safety observations, and pre-job safety assessments, then correlating the quality of those responses with injury and incidents will show you exactly what seemingly small issues – likely unreported today – are leading to SIFs and OSHA fines. 

#2 Start Automating 

Modern tools can automate many cumbersome, time-consuming tasks, freeing up a significant amount of time EHS departments can use toward achieving organizational goals. For example, something that used to take weeks for some organizations, like putting together an end-of-month safety report, can now be completed with a few clicks. Automation can alert safety departments when employees or processes at any site are non-compliant or even surface real-time feedback from frontline workers about potential issues.

#3 Mobile First Everything

If your organization still manages aspects of EHS on paper, you need to digitize your safety program immediately. When you digitize and standardize the documentation of safety by removing paper forms, users have immediate, offline access to forms, which they can quickly fill out on their mobile devices. This enables the frontline workforce with an experience that not only helps them do their jobs better, faster, safer, and smarter, but is something they WANT to use because it’s easier than finding the forms and turning them into the office, and much easier than a web-based form.

#4 Implement Wearable Technology 

Wearable technologies are devices or equipment worn on the body and designed to perform a specific task. These products can reduce injuries and provide information about productivity and workplace safety. 

Companies like SolePower are creating smart boots. Their vision is to transform your standard construction boot into a sophisticated and powerful wearable safety tool. Smart boots can detect the pressure on the sole allowing the boot to detect any potential falls or shocks experienced by the wearer. Once detected, the smart boot can send out an alert, allowing help to come as soon as possible.

Another common wearable technology is the Apple Watch. These devices can monitor an employee’s heart rate and core body temperature, alerting companies of their workers’ well-being and reducing the risk of heat-related illness. 

#5: Mix-Up Safety Training 

Many organizations have used the same safety videos for the last 20 years and must consider mixing up their training. Learners experience greater knowledge retention with interactive training over watching an old video or listening to a lecture. Try taking training out of the classroom and into the field and get supervisors and skilled, respected staff members involved in the process. 

Also, consider implementing technology; Virtual reality headsets can simulate on-the-job training and allow users to learn high-risk tasks without being exposed to any risks. As a result, employees understand what they need to know faster and remember more, creating a safer, more skilled workforce. 

#6: Collaborate and Enable

Many organizations are siloed or disconnected when it comes to safety, quality, and operations departments. The disconnect between departments can lead to finger-pointing, blaming, or a lack of understanding of who handles what. In 2023 focus on enabling collaboration between departments – work together towards a common goal, and always lead with why. Set teams up for success by ensuring there are collaborative tools and processes in place for visibility and accountability. 

#7: Participate in Active Listening 

Is your company and leadership actively listening to employees out on the floor or in the field? How do you provide workers with a sounding board to share ideas across different locations and states? Front-line workers experience safety issues every day and often have good ideas to prevent accidents from happening.

By actively listening, you can be proactive rather than reactive when it comes to your safety efforts. Provide employees with a means to share their ideas, regularly engage in one-on-one conversations, and lean into empathetic leadership to show employees that a collective of coworkers and leaders cares about their best interests, what they need to do the best job they can, and their personal well-being.

#8: Sustainable Safety 

Sustainability is an increasingly important aspect of business with organizations striving for the triple bottom line of people, planet, and profit to achieve long-term success and viability. 

Businesses that emphasize the safety, health, and welfare of workers, see benefits in decreased costs associated with workers’ compensation payments, training and recruitment, increased productivity and quality, and improved reputational and financial performance. Other ways to improve sustainability efforts is by digitizing safety programs that eliminate single-use paper and considering environmental impact when making PPE selections.  

#9: Invest in Smart PPE

Few things are more dangerous than an employee doing his or her job without the correct equipment. Keep employees safe by investing in the proper PPE such as SureWerx.When new equipment becomes available or mandated in your industry, update your items accordingly.

Often times the cheaper the product, the shorter the lifespan. Today’s employees are more empowered and care about the quality of their safety equipment; investing in smart PPE can help companies retain frontline workers. 

#10: Celebrate Wins 

Employees who exemplify safety best practices should be recognized. Positive reinforcement draws attention to safe work practices and encourages other employees to follow suit. Consider an incentive or recognition program. These people are some of your greatest assets. Offering small monetary or physical gifts, or even a monthly recognition program for workers who go above and beyond to maintain and improve the overall safety and health of your company. 

How Anvl Can Help

Connected Worker Software from Anvl centralizes and simplifies key aspects of EHS. It organizes the data collected during inspections, analyzes it to identify trends, and allows companies to track corrective action plans from start to finish, so leaders can hold management accountable. 

Anvl gives leaders real-time insight into their inspection and action item data across their entire organization, helping them make strategic choices that create genuine change. Easy-to-use mobile apps and digital workflows keep everything in one place and gives frontline workers easy, offline access out in the field. This means companies catch issues faster, enhance communication, and identify improvements that move the organization toward its goals. 

Contact us today to find out how Anvl can help your business create a safer, more compliant workplace.