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How risk technology can empower frontline workers and foster a safety-driven culture

For industries reliant on frontline workers, risk management plays a crucial role in ensuring the safety and well-being of employees. Read more on how introducing risk technology can significantly help.
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By Milly Wallace , 

Senior Digital Partnerships Manager, Marsh Advisory

26/08/2024 · 4 minute read

For industries heavily reliant on frontline workers, such as the manufacturing, logistics, retail, construction, and utilities sectors, risk management plays a crucial role in ensuring the safety and well-being of employees. However, risk management — a manual and time-consuming process — can be affected by human error. Introducing risk technology can enable frontline workers to access powerful tools that significantly improves their safety, productivity, and overall work experience.

Benefits provided by risk technology

Typically, risk technology involves the use of software and hardware tools that are designed to help in the identification, analysis, and response to risk factors. Risk technology includes various components such as wearable devices, immersive training programmes, data analytics, and real-time monitoring systems — which can be further enhanced by artificial intelligence (AI). Adopting risk technology can help businesses control future outcomes, by taking measures proactively rather than reactively.

By leveraging these newer technologies, organisations can revolutionise their approach to risk management. The key benefits of risk technology include:  

  • Improved safety measures - The use of wearable devices, sensors, and real-time monitoring systems, can help alert workers to potential hazards and risks in their environment. These technologies can detect unsafe conditions — such as driving distractions and environmental hazards — to provide immediate notifications to workers and their supervisors. Furthermore, by using AI enhanced technology, risk managers can identify and be alerted to hazards with greater accuracy. Proactively addressing safety risks can help prevent accidents and injuries — creating a safer work environment for frontline workers.
  • Enhanced training and education - New technology offers innovative solutions for providing training and education to frontline workers on safety protocols and best practices. Additionally, risk technology provides access to online training modules and resources — ensuring workers can easily access up-to-date information.
  • Streamlined incident reporting and documentation - In the event of an incident or near-miss, accurate and timely reporting is crucial for effective risk management. Risk technology simplifies the incident reporting process by providing user-friendly mobile applications or web-based platforms. Workers can quickly and easily report incidents, complete necessary documentation, and capture relevant details, such as photos or videos. This streamlined approach not only saves time, but also ensures that incidents are properly documented — allowing for thorough investigations and the implementation of preventive measures.
  • Data-driven decision making - Frontline worker risk technology can collect and analyse vast amounts of data — providing valuable insights for decision making. By leveraging data analytics and predictive modelling, employers can identify patterns, trends, and potential risks in the workplace. This data-driven approach enables proactive risk mitigation strategies, such as adjusting work schedules, implementing additional safety measures, or modifying processes that minimise potential hazards.

Empowering workers and fostering a culture of safety

Risk technology can give workers a voice in overall business operations — empowering them to actively participate in identifying hazards, reporting near-misses, and suggesting improvements. This collaborative approach fosters a safety culture where workers feel valued and engaged in creating a safer work environment. By involving workers in risk management, employers can tap into their expertise and experience to create more effective risk mitigation strategies.

Rising to the challenges of risk technology

Risk technology is transforming the way frontline workers approach risk management, offering various methods to increase safety, productivity, and overall work experience.

As technology continues to advance, the potential for further improvements in risk technology is immense. It is important business leaders seize this opportunity to enable employees to thrive in a safer and more productive workplace. The challenge for organisations has progressed from how technology can support the deskless and frontline workforce, to what forms of technology should business leaders choose to support frontline workers carrying out their work duties.

To discuss how risk technology can benefit your organisation, please contact your Marsh adviser.

Join Marsh at Tower Place on 12 September 2024 for an exclusive, one-day event where we will explore risk technology.

Hear from various experts on how risk technology can help your organisation put frontline workers at the heart of your risk management strategy.

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