Risk Assessment Software: 5 questions to consider
The best way to explain risk assessment software is to look at the advantages it has over the traditional paper-based method. For starters, as any business owner or manager would know, time is money, so a core value of risk assessment software is speed. The easy accessibility of construction safety software makes it instantly superior over the tiresome and time-consuming task of writing a risk assessment on paper. Using construction risk assessment software like SafeWorkPro, you can send a completed risk assessment anywhere at anytime, making compliance with OHS laws and regulations a breeze. But above all, construction safety software keeps your workforce safe and your business in line with risk assessment regulations.
In this article we will outline the 5 stages of risk assessment software in terms of how it works and what it can do for you. But don’t just take our word for it. The below video is the story of Cole Contracting, a small construction business that, when faced with falling productivity and lagging back end administration, looked to risk assessment software for the solution.
For more information on how our construction risk assessment software works, check out the SafeWorkPro Blog. There you’ll have access to all the information you need to get started, plus loads more on how to complete a risk assessment, how to improve productivity and examples of risk assessment forms.
But back to the building risk assessment checklist we think you should consider before signing up to any construction safety software service. These 5 factors will help you evaluate your options and make an informed decision.
1: How much does the risk assessment software cost?
2: Will the software make your workers safe at work?
3: Does the software give you insight into your business?
4: Will the software pass an audit?
5: Does the software help you comply with the Workplace Health and Safety Act?
1: How much does the risk assessment software cost?
The purpose of our software is to ease the problem of automation for risk assessment forms – in other words: to get rid of the paperwork and make the process quicker and easier. In this case, the software does come at a price but it pays for itself through a streamlined risk management process. Consider it more of an investment than a cost. Return on investment (ROI) is the concept of an investment of some resource yielding a benefit to the investor. So, as you are considering what risk assessment software to use, ask each vendor what ROI you can expect from using their software. SafeWorkPro has a calculated ROI of over 200% (learn more about how we calculated that figure here). We are confident that SafeWorkPro will save you time and money.
2: Will the software improve workplace safety?
Ultimately you want your workers to be safe while they’re on the job. So a key question to consider is how can software help with this? For SafeWorkPro’s risk assessment software, safe operating procedures are delivered to workers when they are on the job via a tool they can download to their mobile or tablet device. So when the worker starts to fill out a risk assessment form on their smartphone or tablet, they are presented with data that has been filled out on previous risk assessments. These suggestions mean that workers are provided with the most relevant risk
3: Does the software give you insight into your business?
Everyday construction managers have to deal with safety. It’s a big part of the job and many safety procedures must be followed otherwise strict penalties may apply. Unsafe behaviour can put workers at risk and result in accidents but there is a way that risk assessment software can help managers. Our software has a configurable dashboard that adds all sorts of meaningful graphs and tables allowing managers to identify hazards and plan a risk management process ahead of time. This is huge benefit for any risk assessment plan because time is saved through smarter and more efficient work.
4: Will the software pass an audit?
If you are audited and need to present your safety management plan, risk assessments, and safe work method statements, SafeWorkPro can deliver these documents to anyone at anytime. The federal government’s fact sheet looking into the top ten corrective action reports (CARs) lodged between 2012-1013 documents failed work practices and reflects the strict requirements of current legislation. So, to avoid joining this list, you need to make sure that your software can output all the documentation needed for the audit. Our software will output all risk
5: Does the software help you comply with the Workplace Health and Safety Act?
The general purpose of the Work Health and Safety Act 2011 is to provide a balanced and nationally consistent framework that secures the health and safety of workers and workplaces. When you take a detailed looked at the legislation there are many factors to consider but there are a few general undertones worth mentioning. Firstly, it the duty of the individuals involved in the high risk construction work to manage risks to health and safety. These duties cannot be deferred to someone else. Furthermore, there are certain requirements that must be met or else a penalty could be issued. For example, a principal contractor must be presented with safe work method statements and risk assessments before work on a job can begin. So, the question is how does risk assessment software help with this? Our software allows you to email the appropriate documentation to the principal contractor before starting work. principal contractors find this very convenient as they then have an electronic record in their email inbox to keep and don’t have to worry about filling or document storage down the track.
Summary
There are many factors to consider when evaluating risk assessment software and we’ve touched on a few of the core issues you should think about. That being said, it is our belief that SafeWorkPro satisfies this criteria but if you would like to know more about our risk assessment software please take a look at the SafeWorkPro Blog or drop us a line via our contact page.
SafeWorkPro: getting you on the job quick, safe and compliant.
