Abby Ferri

I’m often asked for my recommendations for applications that make the life of a safety pro just a little bit easier. The mobile app landscape is vast and varied, so it is hard to sort the good apps from the bad, or as I asked in 2015, “App or Crap?” And again in part two of App or Crap. Since over a year has passed since these posts, I wanted to make sure to provide an update!

To recap, I suggest using a four-way test when evaluating any application you use, whether for safety or for your personal life.

1. Is the app reputable, safe, and secure?
2. Will the app help me to do something that I actually need help with?
3. Is the app easy to use and intuitive?
4. Does the app save me time?

Three of the four tests are alternate ways of asking “does it add value?” This is a question I’ve been asking about everything in my life since becoming an avid listener of the Minimalists podcast. I find that answering the value question is especially helpful for the usual time-suckers like social media and mobile apps.

My initial posts on safety apps included some fairly “safe” suggestions:

Here’s my top 3 safety program apps that I personally find useful or that others have found useful and have recommended to me:

1. Haz-Trac

I’m loving this app by Hybrid Risk Solutions because it takes a holistic approach to site safety through the use of the mobile application. The easiest way to describe it is a perpetual safety inspection. However, your workers won’t groan at the thought of another safety inspection. Users can take a photo and label it by priority. The cool part is that users are encouraged to look for hazardous conditions as well as positive conditions. Users can also report their peers as safety leaders. The app can be stand-alone or a company can make it live with an incentive element using the information the app tracks.

2. Safety Reports

This app has been around for awhile and many users find value in the regulatory tie-in. The app has inspection templates based on OSHA, MSHA, and DOT standards. There are multiple pricing models that allow the client to customize their app for the most practical use at their sites.

3. iAuditor

For many safety pros, this was their gateway to the world of mobile apps! All of the safety pros I know who have used this app preferred to use the free version, so I do not have experience with the customizable paid version.

Do you have a favorite safety app? Let me know in the comments or on twitter @theferrigroup

I’m collaborating with BLR & ProntoForms on a free webinar on technology trends and safety on 1/25/2017, register here.