11 Tips to Boost Adoption of Your Employee Safety Solution
Ensuring the safety of employees should be a top priority for all organisations, and with the moral and legal arguments for investing in safety being more clear than ever, investing in comprehensive safety solutions is non-negotiable. However, the success of these solutions is directly linked to their usage and adoption.
If this technology were to be considered PPE, there would be a regulatory need for it to be carried out and utilised. Corporate Health & Safety Advisor, Nick Kendrick, from Breckland Council makes the point that:
To ensure adoption, organisations must recognise the importance of effective implementation strategies and employee engagement. Here are our top tips for successfully introducing and increasing the usage of your employee safety solution:
1. Build Anticipation for the Launch
If you haven’t already implemented your employee safety technology, use this as an opportunity to create some excitement around its launch.
Take advantage of internal communication channels to spread the word. Share the benefits this technology will bring to each area of the company and why it’s being implemented. This should focus on how the solution will address their needs and encourage feedback, making it clear that their input is valued in shaping the implementation process.
As the launch date approaches, maintain a sense of anticipation and engagement, building momentum towards the official rollout.
2. Communicate Expectations
Incorporate your expectations regarding the use of the new safety technology into existing company policies and procedures and communicate this to all employees.
Clearly outline how it should be utilised, including when and where it is required, any specific protocols or procedures to follow, and any consequences for non-compliance. Make these expectations easily accessible to all employees through employee handbooks, intranet portals, or other centralised communication platforms.
Keep employees informed about any updates or enhancements to the service and remind them that it is there to support and protect them.
You should also continue to communicate to reinforce key messages and address any questions or concerns. These communications should be simple, short, and frequent. Encourage two-way communication, allowing employees to provide feedback or raise issues related to the implementation process.
3. Assign Advocates
Having advocates within the organisation can make a significant difference in the adoption of new safety technology. These advocates play a crucial role in championing the benefits of the technology to their peers through word-of-mouth and they may have more influence than managers as they can speak about the benefits from first-hand experience.
Advocates can also serve as ambassadors for the technology, sharing their positive experiences and being used as role models for others.
4. Train Your Employees
One of the main reasons for low usage is that employees don’t know why they have been given the service.
Similarly, there may be issues with staff who don’t know how to use the service. To address this, you should run thorough training sessions for all employees educating them about the features and functionalities of the service and emphasising the benefits. Some organisations, such as Peoplesafe, offer bite-sized training through live and on-demand webinars, eLearning, short videos and a comprehensive online Helpcentre. Encourage employees to utilise these resources to refresh their knowledge when necessary.
One main reason for low adoption is worry among employees raising a false alarm. So, in your training you should assure employees that this shouldn’t be a concern. All alarms are triaged by our expert ARC Controllers, so all the user needs to do is inform them that it is a false alarm and the Controller will verify their identity and then close the alarm.
It may also be beneficial to discuss the proactive measures in place to minimise false alarms. For instance, features such as fall detection sensitivity, shake function sensitivity, and the number of power button presses required to activate an alarm can all be tailored to the specific needs of the end user. If any of these features are causing false alarms, adjustments can be made to ensure reliable functionality.
5. Personalise the Service
Every workplace and department is unique, with its own set of safety challenges. Choose a service that can be customised to address the specific concerns within each user group, as the more relevant the service is, the more likely employees will be to use it. This could involve fall detection functions, timed activities, international protection and discreet alarms, among others.
To ensure the service meets the necessary needs of employees, encourage feedback and consider mixing and matching products.
6. Integrate Safety System into Daily Routines
Making using the system a part of employee’s daily routines will make it feel like a natural extension of their job responsibilities, minimising the risk of it being overlooked or forgotten.
You could outline where the service fits in and how it should be used, for example turning it on when leaving for work, setting a timed activity when beginning certain tasks and using Travelsafe when travelling between locations.
By seamlessly integrating the safety system into their daily routines, employees are more likely to incorporate it into their workflow and actively engage with its features.
7. Incentivise Participation
Monitor usage and offer incentives or recognition programs to encourage active participation in using the service.
Select simple KPIs and communicate them to your employees, such as consistently reporting hazards, suggesting improvements, or actively engaging with safety initiatives through the platform.
Recognise these employees in company-wide meetings or emails, and reward them with prizes, such as gift cards. This will encourage a culture of safety across your organisation where employees understand the benefits and feel empowered to report incidents and hazards without fear of repercussions.
8. Encourage Feedback
Establish feedback mechanisms to gather insights from employees about their experiences, encourage constructive feedback and suggestions for improvement.
Anonymous surveys and polls will give you an understanding of your employee’s feelings towards the new technology and identify common challenges which you can address, while open forums will encourage conversations about the pros and any challenges.
9. Provide Ongoing Support
Implementation doesn’t end with the initial rollout. Continuing to offer ongoing support ensures that employees feel confident and capable of utilising the safety solution effectively.
Establish a dedicated support channel where employees can seek assistance, ask questions, or report any issues they encounter. Promptly address any concerns or technical difficulties to prevent frustration and maintain enthusiasm for the service.
10. Continuously Improve
Regularly review usage data and metrics to identify areas for improvement. Platforms like Nexus provide valuable insights, offering details on service usage, false alarms, and genuine incidents.
Analysing this data empowers organisations to pinpoint specific areas for improvement and tailor their strategies accordingly. Whether it’s adjusting protocols, refining training programs, or enhancing response procedures, this information enables targeted and effective improvements.
11. Lead by Example
Leadership involvement is crucial in promoting the adoption of safety solutions. When employees see leaders actively embracing and using the technology, it sends a powerful message about its importance.
Encourage managers and executives to lead by example by using the service themselves and checking in with those below them about how they are finding it.
Additionally, at Peoplesafe our robust Support Teams are readily available to provide customers with additional support at any stage of their contract, ensuring smooth implementation and ongoing guidance. By implementing these strategies, organisations can not only maximise the adoption and usage of its employee safety solution, but also foster a culture of safety that prioritises the wellbeing of employees.
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