The National Safety Council convened its second Work to Zero Summit in February to bring together EHS, research, and technology solution leaders to discuss how emerging technology can mitigate workplace hazards and eliminate serious injuries and fatalities. One of the panel sessions provided valuable information about designing programs to pilot new technologies in the workplace. Comprising the panel were Pete Sullivan (Senior Manager, Accenture), Sarah Wilcutts (Executive, Andersen’s Sales & Salvage), and Paul Leonard (Corporate Vice President, Environment, Health and Safety, Orbia).
When asked what new technology means to them, the panel answered that it’s the application of scientific knowledge for practical purposes – a way to change how work gets done by streamlining and automating work processes. New technology can come in hardware form like drones for inspections and confined space entry, smart glasses to record videos from the field, or proximity devices to prevent incidents. Technology can also refer to software programs and applications that automate the capture, analysis, and reporting of data for more accurate insights. This type of software technology frees up time for workers to contribute to other critical activities to improve the business. Whether it’s hardware or software, new technology helps organizations and workers be more productive, efficient, and safe.
The panel shared the following tips for designing and conducting a successful pilot program for a new technology in the workplace:
- Gain the support from frontline workers as well as from top management. There is no question top leadership support is necessary to obtain the funding to implement the technology. In the end, the frontline workers will use the new technology and need to be convinced of the benefit to them. Messaging should start at the top to set the stage for the pilot program, and employees should have the opportunity to play with the technology and learn the system to become part of the decision process.
- Pilot the new technology in a short, yet intense, timeframe. Depending on the application, the organization may know within one or two weeks if the technology will be successful. Also important is to establish a set of key metrics to evaluate the technology. Organizations should gather substantial data to know if they’re seeing desired outcomes and if those outcomes will be sustained over the long term. The metrics evaluation period may last a couple of months.
- Communicate the wider purpose and benefits of the technology being piloted and implemented. Do not try to position the technology as simply one to improve safety. Partner with other parts of the business to show the benefits to efficiency and performance as well as safety, as this will help workers utilize the technology to its full extent.
- The biggest piece of advice from the panel for designing a pilot program is to have a strategic roadmap to take the organization from the pilot stage to early rollout. Obtain employee buy-in, and do not attempt to release all system modules at once to avoid overwhelming the end users. The panel stated that in the end, “a fool with a tool is still a fool.” Without the proper processes or plans, the rollout of new technology will not be successful.
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