“I think the wiring is loose; we should fix it ASAP.”

“This area needs more lights to work safely.”

“This surface is slippery; a sign should display the same.”

The above statements are simple, but if the actions said in them are done on time, they avert incidents.

This is what Safety Observation is all about.

Safety observations involve the systematic process of actively monitoring and assessing workplace conditions, practices, and behaviors to identify potential hazards and risks. This proactive approach aims to prevent accidents, injuries, and other adverse events by addressing safety issues before they escalate.

Safety observations encompass

• Equipment conditions
• Environmental factors
• Employee actions
• Adherence to safety protocols
• And more.

These safety observations are a result of critical safety inspections. 

• Safety inspections escalate workers’ safety by reducing the risks of accidents and incidents.
• The maintenance costs of equipment and assets are reduced as potential risks and damages are identified.
• Safety inspections also help avoid penalties and fines as they ensure adherence to industry safety standards.
• And thus, when worker safety is enhanced and equipment is protected, productivity and efficiency are amplified easily.

However, not all workplaces, plants, and sites are accessible for manual safety inspections. Some plants and sites pose challenges for on-site safety inspections. Some examples of these situations are;

1. Plants/sites that are difficult or dangerous for physical access.
2. During pandemics, chemical releases or situations wherein physical presence poses health risks.
3. Industries with vast or intricate facilities.
4. Places that require continuous monitoring and immediate response.
5. Now, when there are limitations to traditional on-site inspections, we have to make efforts for remote inspections. Thanks to digital technologies, industries can leverage remote safety observations to enhance safety protocols and maintain a proactive approach to risk management.

Let us discuss how we can leverage technology for virtual inspections.

Challenges of Traditional Safety Observations

Before delving into what the technology has to offer, let us briefly explain the challenges of traditional safety observation methods.

When organizations have large complexes, plants/sites, or areas of work, it becomes time-intensive to perform safety inspections. Additionally, more resources need to be hired for intricate safety inspections. Also, keeping account of safety managers and inspectors, their shifts, area allocation, and more in vast areas is tedious.

Also, there are some places wherein physical presence is unsafe or challenging. For example, workplaces that deal with hazardous materials or extreme temperatures may pose health threats to safety inspectors. Workplaces in remote locations like windmill sites are sometimes difficult to reach. Due to limited road and network connectivity, these places pose a danger of getting to the desired location at the right time. 

It is challenging to take proactive approaches during natural calamities, as sending safety managers to calamity-prone areas might be hazardous.

The Role of Technology in Safety Observations

Safety inspectors are appalled with how proactive safety measures can be taken with technology. Right from sensors to data analytics, technology has taught ways to avert disasters before they occur. 

For example;

• Drones with cameras and sensors can provide real-time data and visuals from hazardous or hard-to-reach locations.
• Platforms like Zoom or Microsoft Teams allow inspectors to communicate with on-site personnel and assess conditions in real-time.
• Predictive Analytics analyze historical data, identify patterns, and predict potential hazards, enabling a proactive approach to risk management.
• Mobile applications capture and report real-time data, which can be instantly shared with remote inspectors for analysis.

Technology will keep on evolving to ensure safety amplifies. The motto of many organizations in the coming years is to achieve a zero-incident culture. Technology elevates remote safety observations to provide safe and efficient hazard identification, risk management processes, and other safety-related procedures.

What is Remote Safety Observation?

As the name suggests, remote safety observation implies that workplace safety can be assessed remotely without requiring safety managers to be physically present.

Remote safety observations include real-time monitoring, data collection, and analysis from remote worksites where immediate access is restricted. 

But does remote safety observation have limitations?

If you are wondering the above question, let us tell you that “limitations” is the wrong word. 

Safety standards must be given utmost importance if remote safety observations are incorporated. Here’s why.

• Remote or isolated settings lack immediate access to emergency services, making it crucial to prevent accidents and injuries through proactive safety measures.
• In remote environments, damage to equipment or infrastructure has more significant consequences due to limited resources for repairs or replacements.
• Maintaining safety standards in remote settings contributes to uninterrupted operations by preventing incidents that could lead to downtime.

Therefore, remote safety observation proves helpful if the safety standards are top-notch. And technology can play a vital role in ensuring that. 

Finally, let us know the benefits of Remote Safety Observations.

Remote Safety Observations Benefits

There are many benefits of remote safety observations. These advantages collectively contribute to a more efficient, proactive, and responsive safety management system.

Let us go through them one by one.

Flexibility

Remote safety observations can be scheduled as desired. Safety inspectors can monitor safety conditions in detail without traveling physically. So, remote safety observations are a blessing if workplaces have diverse or dispersed operations!

Safety inspectors can proactively address safety concerns without being restricted by fixed inspection schedules.

Cost-Efficient

No travel = saved expenses

Organizations can save massively if travel and accommodation can be avoided. Remote safety observations exactly do that!

Remote safety observations eliminate the need for frequent travel to distant or challenging locations, leading to significant cost savings related to transportation, accommodation, and related expenses. Therefore, by leveraging technology for remote safety assessments, organizations can optimize the allocation of resources, directing budgetary resources toward critical safety measures rather than travel and accommodation.

Enhanced Safety

If safety inspectors can inspect areas remotely, they are saved from being exposed to hazardous environments, especially in industries with high-risk areas or during pandemics.

Also, accidents or injuries associated with on-site inspections, such as falls, chemical exposure, physical hazards, and more, are eliminated.

Real-Time Reports

Organizations can access near/real-time information about the plant/site/area. This allows immediate identification of potential hazards, thus enabling a proactive approach.

Advanced systems also enable efficient reporting. These auto-generated reports contain detailed information for prompt decision-making and implementing corrective actions.

The data generated from these reports can be analyzed for emerging trends and patterns. This data-driven approach enhances the understanding of safety conditions, contributing to continuous improvement in safety protocols.

These are some of the many benefits of remote safety observation. But once implemented according to usage, the organizations can see its positive impact on safety processes.

To Conclude

The challenges associated with on-site safety inspections can be easily resolved with remote safety observations. 

By leveraging technology, organizations can meet current challenges and pave the way for a safer and more efficient future!

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What is remote safety observation?

Remote safety observations monitor and assess safety conditions in environments where physical presence may be challenging or unsafe, using technology to enhance safety inspections.

2. How do remote safety observations differ from traditional on-site inspections?

Remote safety observations leverage technology to monitor and assess safety conditions from a distance, eliminating the need for physical presence.

3. Do remote safety observations contribute to increased safety for inspectors?

Yes, remote safety observations minimize the exposure of inspectors to potentially hazardous conditions by allowing them to assess safety remotely.