Starting a business is not an easy thing to do. You need to do your research, plan your finances, do feasibility studies, and put a lot of effort to turn it into reality. Startups usually focus on products, services, profits, and business returns, often neglecting safety.
Safety is paramount in every business—no matter what industry you’re in. Complying with regulatory standards and safety procedures boosts employee productivity and efficiency, which helps to achieve business success.
In this fast-paced environment, technology usually plays a major part in running your business processes. It helps establish communication, increase productivity, enhance services, improve safety protocols, and a lot more.
How can technology improve safety?
Below we discuss some things technology can do to help your business succeed and your organization meet its goals.
Secure your business against cyber attacks
The easiest way to promote your business is through the internet. Social media, forums, SEO tactics, and press releases are just around the corner and ready to be used by businesses. These avenues present a good opportunity to advertise your products and services, but it also exposes your business to potential cyber attacks.
Protect your business against security breaches and cyber threats by training your people to understand the context of cyber incidents. Regularly check your hardware, perform server maintenance, install anti-virus software, and set up your firewall to protect yourself from unnecessary pop-ups, spam, and viruses.
Ensure the security of your website with at least a level 1 PCI-DSS (payment card industry data security standards), especially if your business requires online payment and credit card transactions. Educate your employees about data security, skimming, and phishing. Avoid opening email attachments from unknown senders and avoid transactions with untrusted websites.
Digitize your inspections
Inspection is a thorough process of gathering information to help prevent work-related injuries, incidents, near-misses, and fatalities. It can be categorized as:
- Physical – a visual check for defects and damages on equipment, fixtures, or facilities.
- Behavioral – an observation of employees to see if they comply with regulatory standards and policies set by the organization.
Performing regular inspections using pen and paper is burdensome for safety officers. Compiling, re-typing, and sending reports to business owners can be time-consuming and prone to error. A safety app can be used to perform paperless inspections through iPhone, iPad, or Android devices. The ability to capture photos, annotate evidence and send reports even while on site can save significant time and help your people focus on planning out solutions.
Monitor activity in the workplace
CCTVs are commonly used for ground surveillance to monitor activity in the workplace. It enhances security and protects your business from both internal and external threats. A CCTV helps business owners supervise their employees remotely and allows them to monitor hazards and take action immediately.
CCTV records also serve as evidence in cases of theft or trespassing. It helps you and your employees get insurance claims when an incident occurs. A CCTV is a good investment that helps secure workplace safety and employees’ well being.
Invest in technological emergency equipment
You cannot predict when an accident will happen, but you can always prepare and secure your workplace with emergency equipment. This equipment is useful to protect your business and employees in case of calamity or disaster. It helps minimize the gravity of the incident and can save the lives of your employees. Here are some fire safety technologies used to keep a workplace safe:
- Sprinklers and smoke detectors are commonly installed at the workplace to warn employees in case of fire. Attached sensors are activated when extreme changes in temperature are detected.
- Voice evacuation and messaging systems are used to broadcast pre-recorded messages that send specific alerts in case of fire and other calamities.
- Soundwave fire extinguishers use heavy low-frequency sound to put out fires. They were invented by Seth Robertson and Viet Tran to eliminate smaller fires.
A number of technologies are used nowadays to expedite business processes. They boost employee productivity and motivate employees to work harder and smarter. Aside from increasing productivity, they also help maintain a safe and secure environment for you and your employees. Different technologies and digital solutions enhance workflows, reporting, and other processes so that a balance between work and personal life is maintained.
In managing your business, safety should always be a priority. Consider safety first and foremost before even thinking about branding, promotion, products, services, and marketing. Safety is a vital aspect of business that protects employees from injuries, incidents, and fatalities, which entails financial and other losses for your business. Putting safety first is always beneficial to both employees and business owners.
