David Williams, SVP Transactional Business at Schneider Electric UK and Ireland, explains how businesses can be empowered to create robust safety strategies and embrace a workplace safety culture with technology.

There are countless common injuries that take place in the workplace every day. Between electric shocks, burns and trip hazards, the stakes are undeniably high.

In fact, electricity causes around 4,000 workplace injuries every year– an average of 11 injuries per day. These safety incidents can devastate individuals and compromise the entire organisation. They are stark reminders of the critical need for stringent safety protocols.

Creating robust safety strategies

Safety protocols should be seen as the new business imperative – the backbone to the sustainable and ethical operation of any business. They ensure that employees are protected, legal and financial risks are minimised, and businesses run smoothly.

From a top-down approach, it is the responsibility of businesses to develop these comprehensive policies. Safety protocol should encompass a robust set of regulations – from mandatory safety training sessions to strict adherence to industry standards – aimed at preventing accidents and health issues before they occur.

Advancing safety with innovative technologies

Leveraging innovative technologies is crucial for advancing safety measures and enhancing protective systems. Not only does this give businesses continuous oversight on operations and potential hazards, but the data that these technologies create can also be collated to spot trends and mitigate risks quickly.

Modern technologies – like AI-powered safety monitoring systems – are crucial in providing a 360° view of an organisation's operations, which can help to support prevention strategies. They can empower businesses to detect hazards and make accurate risk predictions. This allows for proactive and pre-emptive action.

These systems analyse patterns and data to predict potential system failures or safety risks before they occur. This preventative approach allows for timely interventions and continuous improvements in safety protocols.

The human element

However, in order to ensure a genuinely comprehensive safety strategy, beyond using tech, businesses must add an essential human touch to the process. By using their experience and professional judgment, facilities managers are best equipped to make nuanced decisions where automated systems may fall short. Having this human touch also allows for broader understanding of each situation, considering factors that may not be immediately apparent to automated systems.

Regular safety audits and continuous training programs ensure that all employees are trained with the latest safety protocols and technologies in mind. It is worth noting that many forms of training are also essential for legal compliance.

With this hands-on approach, businesses can empower their employees to action their own insights to help identify potential safety risks before they become hazardous; promoting a cycle of continuous safety improvement.

An industry responsibility

A completely safety-first culture is not just a top-down approach. It is a collective effort between all industry stakeholders: manufacturers, merchants, vendors, engineers, contractors, and tradespeople can all play a role in ensuring safety standards. Proactive engagement is the key to encouraging more innovative safety practices.

We all must work together to make organisational safety a priority. The best approach would be to integrate comprehensive safety policies with advanced tools to create a safety-first culture that significantly enhances workplace safety and operational reliability.

At Schneider Electric, for example, organisational safety practices are our highest priority. Our approach integrates comprehensive safety policies with advanced tools to create a safety-first culture that significantly enhances workplace safety and operational reliability. For us, employee and customer safety and well-being are a non-negotiable. Our every action is imbued with a safety-first mindset.

To further support their safety initiatives, organisations must equip all teams with the knowledge they need to drive a safe and compliant workplace. As trusted safety and sustainability courses, Schneider Electric has a dedicated safety academy which offers a range of training courses, such as ‘Electrical Authorised Persons’, which is critical in upholding standards which we adhere to ourselves.

Embracing a safety culture

Ultimately, a strong safety record is one of a company’s most valuable assets. Prioritising safety reduces workplace injuries and fosters a happier and more engaged workforce, enhancing company reputation.

Businesses must embrace this safety-first philosophy if they are to build a sustainable, ethical, and competitive business.