Can ditching no-device policies improve workplace safety?

With the rise of smartphones and similar devices came workplace no-device policies, which were initially instituted to keep employees focused on their responsibilities.

However, Nick Brown, a senior director at Ansell Inteliforz, says technology has progressed to the point that cell phones, tablets and other connected devices now have the potential to make workplaces safer.

“As technology has evolved and improved, and there are different protocols that can be put in place around device policies, you start to see far more of an upward curve into a connected workplace and thereby you are actually increasing the opportunities for a far safer workplace,” he says.

Using cell phones and other devices also improves employee engagement and increases buy-in for safety programs, Brown points out.

In addition to better engagement, he says lifting no-device policies allows employees to have real-time communications with safety leaders and creates an audit trail should an issue arise.

Brown explains that nearly every industry can benefit from integrating mobile device apps into safety programs.

However, ditching no-device policies can easily and cost-effectively open up new safety processes and programs for sectors such as manufacturing, retail, distribution and hospitality, according to Steve Simon, senior risk service manager for Safety National.

Acknowledging that in some cases there is a risk of sensitive information being leaked or stolen, Simon explains organizations must weigh the potential risk of implementing these types of programs.

“It is not just something you grab off the shelf and get started with,” he says. “You need to have some parameters, protocols and good programs around it to address any cons and to make sure the company is protecting itself.”

Brown says industries where it is difficult to eliminate no-device policies include chemical plants, government facilities and organizations that conduct sensitive research and development operations.

Reducing risk in real time

For industries that are good candidates for eliminating no-device policies, the impact of integrating mobile devices into safety programs can be substantial.

Brown says one large warehousing and delivery service provider was able to reduce risky movement by more than 40% by embracing mobile device-enabled applications.

“We helped the company to identify risky movement patterns, particularly among new workers who have a slight prevalence in these environments because there is a high level of turnover,” he says.

In another example, Brown says some organizations are leveraging tactics to provide workers with real-time feedback when risky movements are detected.

“The real-time feedback on movements can significantly reduce the perceived tension within their hands and lower arms, which can reduce carpal tunnel syndrome incidents over the longer term,” Brown says.

Other mobile device-based solutions include apps that alert employees to dangerous situations as they are developing, Simon points out. For example, one of Safety National’s higher education clients deploys an app that can alert employees of an active shooter, he gives as an example.

“It is just a great way to communicate very quickly, very efficiently to employees and it can potentially save lives,” he says.

In addition to directly providing safety feedback to employees and monitoring workplace environments, mobile devices can streamline the process of managing and documenting safety programs and procedures.

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“Back in the day, managers would take a piece of paper and walk around to identify hazards and exposure as part of their basic inspections,” Simon tells PropertyCasualty360.com. “Now all this can be done on an iPad, where it is automated and can be pushed into a dashboard for managers to view instantly rather than trying to manually compile hundreds of pieces of paper.”

Working with other technology

Recent research into workplace safety and technology from the National Council on Compensation Insurance shows that applications working in conjunction with video recordings and other digital tools can be a powerful addition to a workplace safety program.

“Employers can use a mobile phone to record a video of a worker performing various tasks and then upload the video to a software application to assess risk and hazards and suggest improvements,” according to the NCCI’s recent report on technology trends.

Safety National’s Simon has witnessed these types of mobile-enabled solutions. He points to ergonomic applications that use AI to assess video of a worker’s movements and postures to pinpoint potential risks.

“You’re going to need access to a cell phone or an iPad to be able to do that type of work,” Simon says. “If you don’t allow that, then you are kind of taking a step back and moving toward bringing in additional consultants and doing it in person.”