Using data to measure your company 's programs can help you make a stronger business case for safety.
Like all aspects of a business, Occupational Health & Safety require a cost-benefit analysis, with Safety Managers having the responsibility of demonstrating the business value of safety programs. In the past, such programs have been typically tracked as an overhead cost; an incident or a stoppage is a cost with no financial return. On the flip side, Safety Training can be seen as an investment that has a visible ROI.
Executives and Directors need to be aware of both the benefits and the risk when they prioritize business activities. Safety Data can measure the performance of your safety training programs in a presentable format, allowing Safety Managers to make a business case for their efforts.
In addition to tracking safety training, Safety Managers also need to track important metrics such as reoccurring employee injuries, stoppages, and equipment damage. Deeper metrics such as data on time of day or specific shifts also build a stronger business case, while also helping to determine the root cause of your workplace incidents.
What Story Should the Data Tell?
By capturing Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) such as recordable incidents and loss time, you can begin telling the story of the root cause and leading factors that result in workplace injuries. When tracking data, Safety Managers will want to measure two things:Leading Indicators and Lagging Indicators. Leading Indicators are measurements that have predictive value, such as an accident or near miss, while lagging Indicators are measurements that assess outcomes such as costs associated with stoppages.
The Benefits of Recording Safety Data
In addition to making a stronger business case to your safety programs, recording and monitoring safety data will allow you to anticipate and address safety issues before they result in a workplace incident. Safety Managers can also conduct safety audits on mobile devices and tablets, allowing them to perform their duties remotely. All aspects of safety training can also be managed through such a strategy, with employees being alerted automatically of upcoming or overdue training sessions
Safety has a positive impact on a business. It can reduce overall loss and increase productivity. Actively monitoring your organizations safety programs and culture through data collection can make the entire safety process more efficient and more comprehensive. Safety Managers need only ask be asked one question: are you using all the solutions available to you to build a safer workplace?
