How SaaS Solutions Contribute To Workplace Safety

Employers have a duty to provide a safe work atmosphere, and maintaining it can help reduce their costs and liabilities. Today, developing a safety plan and implementing it both involve the use of technology. 

As more businesses rely on connected devices and digital applications, SaaS company solutions are gaining momentum. They have even aided in addressing safety plans for people returning to the workplace after shutdowns from the pandemic. 

Businesses have already been using SaaS products to help improve outcomes of marketing, daily operations, and more. 

This blog will cover the main ways that software can help reduce safety risks and improve outcomes.

1. Better Management of Incidents

One issue that is sometimes overlooked with safety planning is wasted time. In some cases, organizations have safety procedures and protocols that are still connected to a significant number of incidents. They may not have the time to thoroughly investigate incidents and their critical root causes or contributing factors.

Without necessary changes, the same incidents and injuries keep happening. One reason management is especially challenging is some organizations handle several tasks manually. 

The number of person-hours spent writing reports, auditing and analyzing can add up quickly. If safety teams or managers have access to SaaS solutions that aid in incident reporting and analysis, they have more time to manage incidents effectively or investigate complex issues. 

In addition to that, they may be able to develop efficient solutions to problems that threaten workplace safety. Also, they may have more time to conduct the necessary training after making those changes.

2. Maintaining a Strong Safety Culture

An important part of improving a variety of workplace safety outcomes is having a strong safety culture. 

Research shows that when employees demonstrate a higher level of safety culture behavior, the psychosocial hazards in their environment are reduced since they have a better attitude toward safety issues. 

Building a safety culture may seem like a challenge. However, connecting safety to every possible aspect of the company culture can help.

One study showed that employees who were more engaged at work were five times less likely to cause a safety incident due to lost time. When workers have what they need to communicate, observe and perform their jobs safely, they can be more accountable. 

Managers or leaders can utilize software products to help foster employee engagement, encourage ownership of duties and more. The key idea is to perpetuate a safety culture by giving employees the digital tools they need to maintain it. Doing that can help them feel more confident and connected.

3. Collecting Valuable Data

SaaS products provide a central place for all important safety data. Today, some solutions also include data collected from connected devices. 

IoT devices are evolving, and their ability to generate data in real-time is helpful in the workplace. Relaying information digitally offers the potential to improve outcomes. 

For example, imagine that a factory has many connected machines. The devices can generate data about usage and much more, and a SaaS program can consolidate it into insightful information about use trends or mechanical issues. 

To provide another example, consider an industrial plant that has many gas detectors. If they are connected devices that communicate with a SaaS program, it is easier to track the source and location of leaks at the time they happen. In situations where timing is critical to reducing safety risks, online tools can be especially valuable.

Safety managers or teams can use generated information to pinpoint problematic trends and develop solutions. For instance, if hazards are identified, managers can create proactive solutions before incidents happen. 

With some types of programs and devices, managers can also discover employees' behavior-related risks. This helps them create targeted training to reduce risks.

It’s important to remember that SaaS tools are not meant to eliminate face-to-face interactions. They can reduce unnecessary interactions but are designed to enhance the quality of necessary interactions.

4. Reducing Delays With Real-Time Data

When safety managers have access to real-time data, they can learn about risks as they develop.

Using that information proactively, they can create solutions or address problems immediately instead of waiting to learn from the negative effects of incidents. 

An outdated process involves investigating incidents, analyzing information and then creating reports. That entire process can take a considerable amount of time, which can lead to delays. Meanwhile, the unaddressed risks may lead to other incidents happening during the process.

With modern SaaS solutions, managers can access data whenever they want to see critical safety information. They can provide an efficient on-the-spot training session instead of waiting for the delays associated with conducting an incident investigation, generating a report and organizing a safety meeting. 

Providing real-time feedback to workers as issues arise is also a helpful approach since the details are still fresh in their minds. In addition to reducing safety risks, this solution may reduce unnecessary expenses related to lost productivity and more.

Identifying and mitigating safety risks in the workplace is a continual challenge. Trying to manage risks associated with equipment, procedures and behavior can take a lot of time without the right tools. 

With SaaS, safety managers and leaders can maximize the usefulness of data, foster engagement among employees and find other ways to reduce risks. Today, there are plenty of customized solutions for businesses of all types and sizes. 

As a start, check out this list of the 10 Best Safety Management Software To Keep Your Staff Safe And Sound.

Got a lot of SaaS solutions to manage already? 10 Best SaaS Management Platforms To Organize All Your Apps