We hear from site managers and owner operators regularly about the challenges of engaging employees in health & safety practices. According to these conversations, inaccessibility to information alongside a lack of perceived ability or knowledge about health & safety outcomes are major factors. We have found that inaccessible risk registers, and systems that prevent team members from raising concerns and clearly reporting potential hazards amplifies this lack of buy-in. Shifting safety information from traditional Excel spreadsheet risk registers to a cloud-based format with maximum accessibility offers multifaceted benefits that significantly enhance employee engagement in workplace safety, and managerial understanding of the risks that are present on any given day.

 

Cloud-Based Safety Software Offers Accessibility and Convenience

Cloud-based machine safety platforms allow employees to access machine safety information anytime, anywhere, using various devices. This accessibility eliminates the constraints of physical proximity or reliance on a specific computer system, or employee role, fostering continuous engagement of the risks and solutions at play. 

Digital accessibility makes sure everyone from operators to managers are on the same page, with access to the same data. It also puts information in the hands of those who need it, leading to a sense of responsibility and personal efficacy or responsibility. Ultimately it is the convenience provided by cloud-based safety software which significantly impacts employee engagement. We’ve found that integrating such software simply makes it easy, quick and convenient, lowering the barriers of engagement for busy teams who just want to safely get on with their day job. 

 

Modern Cloud Based Safety Software Offers A User-Friendly Interface  

Unlike Excel spreadsheets, which have usability and interactivity limitations , cloud-based formats are designed to have intuitive interfaces. A user-friendly design encourages employees, regardless of their technical proficiency, to interact with safety data more effectively. 

MinRisk’s user-friendly interface acts as a gateway, enabling employees to access safety protocols, incident reporting, and real-time updates effortlessly. Its intuitive design ensures ease of navigation encouraging engagement with the safety data and safety protocols. It puts safety tools in the hands of those that can have the greatest impact on worksite safety. Imagine a machine operator being able to take a photo of a machine hazard, mark-up that photo onsite, and send it to management to kick start the safety protocol – the ease that the user-friendly interface provides encourages employees to take an active role in onsite safety.

 

Health & Safety Training and Education Is Beneficial For Employee Engagement

Engagement begins with knowledge. Our MinRisk cloud based safety software has a unique training module that facilitates comprehensive training, providing employees with crucial insights into safety protocols, hazard identification, and best practices. This empowers them to actively participate in maintaining a secure working environment. Knowledge is power, and when your entire team understands best practices, and how to carry out onsite safety requirements, they are more likely to engage in health & safety programmes. Our Training App is designed specifically for operators, maintainers, and cleaners, offering safety information in a user-friendly format for easy understanding. It operates as a read-only, incredibly intuitive app that retrieves data from the existing cloud-based MinRisk MRA database. Our Training App was newly released in 2023 and we’ve already had encouraging feedback from users.

 

Cloud Based Systems Encourage Collaborative Engagement

Cloud-based systems facilitate collaborative work on safety measures. Multiple users can access and update data simultaneously, encouraging teamwork and shared responsibility for maintaining safety standards. They also enhance communication by enabling direct interactions among employees, safety officers and management. Instant communication fosters a culture of openness, where safety concerns or suggestions can be easily shared and addressed.

 

Real-Time Cloud Based Safety Software Instigates Feedback Loops and Recognition

Acknowledging and rewarding proactive safety behaviour reinforces engagement. MinRisk enables the establishment of feedback loops where employees’ contributions to safety measures are recognised and appreciated. This instils a sense of ownership and motivates all members of the team to actively participate in upholding safety standards. Management can also see at a glance who their health and safety superstars are, enabling them to reward positive role modelling behaviour offline too.

 

Data Accuracy And Integrity of Online Safety Software

Minimise the risk of errors or version control issues prevalent in Excel spreadsheets. Centralised data storage of online safety software ensures consistency and accuracy, reducing the chances of misinformation or outdated records. This increase in accuracy also reduces double handling time. When employees can see ease of use, integrity and usability of data, and the benefits of engagement – they are more likely to  engage.

 

Flexibility and Scalability Of MinRisk

Cloud-based systems are more adaptable to evolving safety standards and regulatory changes, increasing the data value, and in turn increasing trust and engagement with employees. They can be updated and modified more easily compared to static Excel spreadsheets, ensuring compliance and relevance over time. 

A cloud-based system is more scalable, a key benefit for large or growing organisations. Cloud-based solutions offer scalability without significant infrastructure changes. This scalability ensures that as the company expands, the safety information remains easily accessible and manageable for an increasing number of users. Our MinRisk software was recently used at Alliance Group Limited to assess 7 sites, 2800 machines and nearly 7000 risks. It was the scalability and flexibility that our software offered that had proved most valuable to the team engaging with the initial assessment and ongoing safety protocols.

 

Security Concerns: The Impact On Employee Trust and Engagement

Cloud-based platforms often (but not always) have robust security features, including encryption, authentication protocols, and regular updates to protect sensitive safety data from breaches or loss. These security features encourage greater trust across all team members from operators to management. Our Chief Technology Officer, Adam Langley cannot stress enough how important it is to choose a cloud based software with appropriate security layers. MinRisk has the following unique security features that keep your data safe and your team onboard:

  • Well thought-out onboarding and offboarding processes, with options to integrate with existing directory systems to reduce the risk of unauthorised access through misconfigured or unnecessary accounts. 
  • Security auditing – transparency of critical authentication events to support timely identification of potential incidents. 
  • Granular security controls – limiting access on an as-needed basis will limit exposure. 
  • Well documented and rigorous backup policies to protect data against accidental loss. 
  • Industry accepted cryptographic controls, specifically avoiding proprietary algorithms or mechanisms. 
  • Mechanisms for non-repudiation of critical assets – to mitigate data tampering (by authorised persons or otherwise).

 

Transitioning from Excel risk registers to cloud-based formats maximises accessibility, encourages collaboration, ensures data accuracy, and offers scalability and security. Ultimately, this shift empowers employees to actively engage in safety initiatives by providing them with easily accessible, up-to-date, and interactive safety information. This engagement fosters a sense of ownership and responsibility among employees, leading to a stronger safety culture within your organisation.

In manufacturing, ensuring workplace safety is a pivotal priority. The evolution of technology has introduced innovative solutions, such as MinRisk, a cloud-based safety software designed explicitly for the manufacturing sector. Beyond its capacity to streamline safety protocols, MinRisk serves as a powerful tool to engage employees actively in health and safety within the workplace.