When safety is a “line-function” and employees can answer some of their own questions, we increase our staff. In order to do this we need to:
- Provide tools to those in the field to help make solid safety decisions.
- "Teach them to fish, rather than fishing for them."
With new technology we can do just that!
Employees need “just in time” information to access when it is needed to be safer and more productive. The more equipped employees become regarding safety, the more ‘indirect staff’ we have to assist in reducing incidents and reducing costs.
Here are some safety apps employees can download to their smart phones to access safety information when it is needed:
WISER App:
By US National Library of Medicine. WISER is a system designed to assist first responders in hazardous material incidents. WISER provides a wide range of information on hazardous substances, including substance identification support, physical characteristics, human health information, and containment and suppression advice. Available for Android, iPhone, iPod touch, and iPad.
IH Calculator LITE:
By American Industrial Hygiene Association (AIHA).The IH Calculator is an interactive calculator that performs occupational health and safety calculations to aid industrial hygienists. A tab is also included for simple conversions including distance, mass, temperature, and more.
NIOSH Ladder Safety App
The Ladder Safety App, aimed at improving extension ladder safety, features a multimodal indicator and a graphic-oriented guide for ladder selection, inspection, positioning, accessorizing, and safe use. Available for iPhone/iPad or Android mobile devices.
Ergonomics App
By Sidharth Garg. Winner of the People's Choice Award for the Department of Labor Worker Safety and Health App Challenge. Ergonomics is a complete mobile workplace health solution that offers ergonomic equipment setup advice, a variety of workplace specific stretching exercises, and programmable reminders to help you time your breaks. For iPhone, iPod touch, and iPad.
Chemical Compatibility Database
By Cole-Parmer. Find the right material/chemical compatibility for storage, transport and use. This app leverages years of research on chemical compatibility for plastics, metals, elastomers and ceramics. It contains more than 24,528 entries covering 584 chemicals and 42 materials. Available for your iPhone and iPad.
dB Volume Meter
Handy app to provide a guide as to whether noise from heavy machinery is too loud. Although quite accurate, if it indicates a serious noise problem, you will need to get a professional Sound Pressure Level (SPL) meter. However, it is a handy tool that shows sound issues.
Iota Lone Worker
This is for lone workers in remote locations and you want to ensure they are still there. It tracks movement and will send alarm if they are not moving. It has two modes of operation - interval timer mode and motion sensor. This was developed by South East Water and has been tested in remote locations.
