No matter the type of business we are running or the size of our operation, employee safety must be one of our top priorities. The COVID-19 pandemic only made the matter of workplace safety all the more pressing, as businesses from all around the world had to rapidly switch to remote work and implement social distancing rules. Now that vaccination is underway, we need to double our efforts in making our offices as safe as possible.
Of course, airborne diseases are not the only thing we as managers should be on the lookout for. There are all sorts of workplace hazards we need to be mindful of, as they might harm both our employees and our brand as a result. Fortunately, modern technology provides a variety of tools we can use to take workplace safety to the next level.
In this article, we will explore a few tech innovations that can help us make our business safer, both for our employees and our customers alike.
Health Screening
Now that businesses are reopening, we can expect more and more people to return to the office. However, COVID-19 is not gone, and the same goes for other highly contagious diseases we seem to have forgotten about. In order to ensure our workplace is safe, we need to implement health checks for anyone entering the premises. It will also help relieve return-to-work anxiety among our staff.
A well-implemented visitor management system can help with detecting potentially ill people before they get in contact with anyone else. Automatic temperature check systems are now broadly available and can be priceless when it comes to preventing a virus outbreak. Also, visitor management systems can be used to perform effective contact tracing if someone becomes ill. This way, we can identify people who are at risk of being infected.
Equipment Monitoring
As we already mentioned, viruses are not the only health hazard that we should take measures against. Malfunctioning equipment is among the leading causes of worker injuries, especially in the field of construction. Even well-maintained equipment can become problematic and cause an accident. Here is where smart devices from the field of IoT (Internet of Things) come in handy.
Such devices can be installed on machinery and monitor if it is functioning properly or not. Since IoT devices are connected to the Internet, they can send a timely alert in case something is malfunctioning, thus reducing the risks of workplace injury. Different devices can be set up to monitor a variety of factors, including noise levels, vibration, and temperature. By utilizing them, we will know when a piece of equipment is in need of repair or maintenance.
Wearable Tech
Another way we can use IoT devices to improve workplace safety is to have them on our employees themselves. Smart devices can be configured to measure vital signs such as heart rate, oxygen levels, temperature, and more. Such information can be extremely important in certain areas of work, such as underground operations, construction, and more. We can even implement an employee tracking system so that we know if our staff is in a potentially hazardous area.
For example, nowadays people can be outfitted with a wearable panic button in case of an emergency. Overall, there are plenty of smart ways we can implement wearable tech to ensure that our staff is well-protected from a variety of dangers at all times.
Cleaning Tech
Even though workplace cleaning has always been important, now it is more so than ever before. Viruses and contaminants can live on surfaces for quite a while, so regular clean-ups are in order. However, having cleaning staff working at short intervals can be inconvenient or outright impossible, depending on our workplace. Fortunately, technology has again provided us with the tools we need to keep our premises clean around the clock.
Automated cleaning robots can be set up to do regular cleaning of all floors and surfaces. On top of that, there are various remote-controlled washing machines and dishwashers that can be operated with minimum physical touch. While investing in a squad of cleaning robots might seem a bit much to some, it is the most effective way of ensuring our offices are safe for both employees and clients.
Remote Work Tools
Even though many businesses are opening their offices once again, a big portion of the workforce desires to continue working from home. Lots of companies are implementing a hybrid approach, enabling their employees to swap working from home and the office at certain intervals. However, in order for all business processes to continue working in an optimal way, we need to provide our staff with the software solutions they need for efficient collaboration.
Cloud storage can be used to keep all documentation updated and available to everyone, no matter their physical location. CRM and task management software are perfect in ensuring all processes and procedures run smoothly even when teams are not together in a room. Of course, we should also look into collaboration software platforms like Slack to enable efficient communication across the board.
Conclusion
The COVID-19 pandemic shifted the focus back on workplace safety in all its iterations. No matter the size and scope of our business, we need to make the necessary investments to ensure that our workplaces are safe for all. The examples we have gathered here can form a cornerstone around which we can build the safety of our business. After all, employees are an organization’s most valued assets, so we need to protect them as best as we can.
