Analytics and Data Collection

What Is a Confined Space Safety Plan, and Why Is it Essential?

Posted on by Danny Kanev

What Is a Confined Space Safety Plan, and Why Is it Essential?

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The have significant workplace hazards, and confined spaces are often the riskiest places on a job site. Working in confined spaces is often essential. That’s why companies must take steps to mitigate the hazards. A confined space safety plan is vital for efficient operations and the safety of your team.

What Is a Confined Space?

According to OSHA, the definition of a confined space is any space that isn’t designed for people, but workers can enter to do essential work when necessary. This can be any area where workers aren’t free to move about or react to danger. Examples include a cistern, tunnel, equipment housing, or pipeline.

The regulatory body further denotes potentially dangerous confined spaces as “permit-required confined space,” or just “permit space” for short. These permit spaces include areas where a confined space poses additional risks to a worker. A permit space includes areas that could potentially trap or injure a worker, contain harmful chemicals, or don’t allow for easy escape.

All confined spaces must be approached with a thorough safety plan. However, permit-required confined spaces can be serious workplace hazards. Precautions must always be taken. OSHA and other regulatory agencies enforce certain safety measures in permit space.

Working in Confined Spaces

All employees who work in confined spaces must be thoroughly trained on the potential hazards and all the safety precautions available to them. While some work in confined spaces may be quick and urgent, ensure only workers trained to work in those conditions enter. Accidents are disruptive to the flow of your operation. More importantly, though, your workers have a right to a safe workplace.

Before entering any confined space, inspect the area to ensure all safety equipment is in place and functioning properly and that there are no unexpected hazards. Tests on temperature and oxygen levels should also be routine before work begins.

Once inside a confined space, the worker should maintain contact with a trained attendant the entire time. This can be done visually with a camera feed or by voice for permit space with an opening. It can also easily be accomplished with radios. While working, the technician should continue to update the attendant on their status. As they work, they should verify full function of any safety equipment like full protection, ventilation, and lighting. In many situations, the attendant can also monitor some of these factors outside the confined space. 

The procedure should always be followed in confined spaces, and there should always be redundant steps to verify a safe working environment. Gauges and monitoring software should not be implicitly trusted, but instead verified for accuracy continually.

Planning for Safety

To ensure safety and smooth operations, every operation needs a well-crafted plan for working in confined spaces. The plan you use shouldn’t be a generalized solution. Instead, have specific measures for the confined spaces your workers face daily. Each space should have a plan specific to its particular hazards. Additionally, only workers trained in that space and its safety plan should be allowed inside.

When creating your safety plan, start with a thorough inspection of any confined spaces. Identify potential hazards and conditions that could complicate movement or safety precautions. Consider the type of work that may be done in the space. Lastly, create a checklist that verifies the safety of the space for workers before entry.

This is a start, but a comprehensive safety plan continually evolves to ensure the safest working environment possible. Learn from any unexpected hazards that present themselves in confined spaces, and continually update your safety plan. A hazard that occurs once will likely happen again. Therefore, adapt your safety measures to provide the best protection for your workers.

Always Stick to the Plan

If your safety plan for confined spaces isn’t followed, it does nothing to protect your workers. Furthermore, if safety precautions are being ignored in the most dangerous areas of your operation, you’re not providing the legally required protections to workers. 

A culture of safety doesn’t happen overnight. Your workers need to know that safety is important, and the safety plan for confined spaces is non-negotiable. Supervisors in your operation should all be thoroughly trained on each safety plan, as well as on the importance of following them every time.

Culture flows from the top down, typically. As your workers see that it’s important to their supervisors, they will care more about the safety plan.

Record Compliance

To ensure your safety plan for confined spaces is followed, keep logs of every activity in confined spaces. Workers should document who entered when and why every time work is conducted. This lets you know that your workers are taking safety seriously. In addition, this approach compiles a record of compliance for any inspectors. As your safety plan is implemented, records let you see any changes that need to be made.

Only authorized and trained workers should be working in confined spaces. Ensure they are entirely comfortable with the process and can document their work and any comments on the plan every time. Remember to get feedback from those workers on the plan, as they are your best resource for knowing when changes need to be made.

Automate Safety Plans with GoCanvas

Safety is about consistency and attention to detail. With any safety plan for working in a confined space, your workers need to be consistent every time in the precautions they take. 

At the same time, you don’t want to create extra work for your team that could cause them to waste time or skip essential safety steps. With GoCanvas, you can automate your safety plan so that staying safe is straightforward for your workers.With GoCanvas, you can create custom mobile forms to automate your safety process without being a tech guru. GoCanvas makes it easy for your workers to stay compliant and safe. Come see how our confined space safety plan support can make your operation safer and smoother today!

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About GoCanvas

GoCanvas® is on a mission to simplify inspections and maximize compliance. Our intuitive platform takes care of the administrative tasks, freeing our customers to focus on what truly matters – safeguarding their people, protecting their equipment, and delivering exceptional quality to their customers. 

Since 2008, thousands of companies have chosen GoCanvas as their go-to partner for seamless field operations.

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How To Increase Worker Safety For Renewable Energy Contractors

Posted on by Nikki Kanev

How To Increase Worker Safety For Renewable Energy Contractors

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Clean energy jobs grew 5% in 2022 to a total of 3.2 million. Of that total, renewable energy contributed to 515,248 jobs. As with the rest of the US economy, small businesses employ the majority of Americans. Approximately 90% of the clean energy workforce comes from businesses with less than 100 employees. With growth projected to continue until at least 2026, renewable energy contractors need comprehensive work safety programs in place.

Most people think of solar and wind when they think of renewable energy. However, biomass, hydropower, and geothermal are also part of the sector. According to the US Department of Labor’s Occupational, Health and Safety Administration (OSHA), renewable energy safety risks include:

  • Machinery Misuse
  • Falls
  • Electricity
  • Confined Spaces

While the renewable energy sector may share safety risks, the contributing factors vary. How can renewable energy contractors increase worker safety?

Machinery Misuse

Renewable energies use specialized equipment. Knowing how to install solar panels and maintain wind turbines requires training. And without proper training, employees may injure themselves or others.

Cranes install and maintain wind turbines. Only trained personnel should operate a crane. For example, it may be just a few feet to reposition a crane. However, unstable surfaces, power lines, and swing radii can create unsafe conditions. 

Back injuries are 25% of all compensation claims. And many of those come from workers failing to use the equipment correctly. For example, they may fail to use equipment to help with lifting. Individuals working with solar panels lift the panels and tools on and off trucks and onto a roof without assistance, causing unnecessary injury.

Biomass energy uses harvesting machines with sharp blades that run at high speed. Machinery can throw objects, causing injury to anyone standing too close. In addition, wind turbines have large moving parts that can injure anyone on the job site.

Ensuring equipment is maintained correctly is crucial to a safe work environment. Developing a process to let employees report equipment concerns can stop an accident before it happens. Digitizing these forms allows workers to report hazards immediately. Employees can complete a digital form as soon as they see a problem, so repairs can be addressed quickly.

Falls

Falls are the second most common workplace injury, costing $10.26 million per year. Every renewable energy contractor should have safety measures in place to prevent falls. Granted, a fall from a 300-foot wind turbine is different than one from a 12-foot ladder. However, every energy workplace should provide safety training and tools as a standard part of any program.

Wind farm employees need safety harnesses, guardrails, and training for both on and offshore turbines. Solar panels are installed on commercial buildings at dangerous heights. Even at residential locations, installers can suffer serious injuries from falls. Keeping energy workplaces free of debris can minimize the risk of a fall.

Outdoor elements can contribute to slips, trips, and falls. Leaves become slippery when wet. Sticks and tree limbs can make for unsure footing. Conduct job site safety analyses to identify all hazards. This simple step can minimize the risk of falls. Providing a digital safety form that employees can complete before work starts to make the paperwork convenient. But it also helps to keep the renewable energy construction site safe.

Electricity

Electricity can cause thermal burns, shock, and electrocution. Electrical current runs through wind farms, solar panels, and hydropower stations. Workers can suffer serious injury without proper safety processes in place. Perform a job safety analysis before work begins. In addition, provide protective equipment. And most importantly, cut power to the location.

The International Hydropower Association (IHA) reports that electrocution is a common hydropower safety hazard. Minimize risk by considering safety in the design of power stations. The IHA recommends written processes to ensure that equipment is maintained, training is completed, and procedures are followed.

Train everyone involved in clean energy construction and maintenance on the basics of electrical safety. Employees should be trained on how to avoid contact with electrical currents and what to do in case of an emergency. 

Confined Spaces

OSHA indicates that working in confined spaces presents a safety hazard, especially in wind turbines. The safety organization notes that confined spaces inside wind turbines can cause asphyxiation, due to low oxygen levels. Job safety analysis should be performed before employees enter confined spaces in the energy workplace.

Employers must screen workers to prevent those with claustrophobia or similar conditions from working in confined spaces. Panic attacks can create unsafe working conditions. 

Wind turbines can also generate harmful gases and vapors. Dust particles are in the air circulating in and around a turbine. Clean energy employers must ensure that employees have protective equipment, such as respirators, to reduce the inhalation of possible contaminants. 

Biomass energy also presents respiratory hazards from crops, fungi, and mold. Employees should have protection to limit inhaling particles that could damage the lungs or trigger allergies.

Increased Worker Safety

The 2022 Safety Index shows that nonfatal workplace injuries cost US businesses $49.18 billion in 2022, or about $1 billion per week. These are direct costs for the top 10 causes of injuries. It does not include the indirect costs that many businesses overlook.

A recent OSHA article highlighted the added cost of workplace injury in areas such as labor shortages and psychosocial risks. When an injury occurs, it impacts the entire team. Employees who take on more work to cover for an injured employee become more stressed, as they are already working long hours because of labor shortages.

Business cultures may suffer when an employee is injured. The remaining employees may feel less secure and express concerns that can lead to disgruntled staff. Disengaged employees are less productive and prone to errors.

A work-related injury costs a business more than direct compensation. It can damage morale and lower productivity. Renewable energy contractors can avoid unnecessary injuries by implementing a comprehensive safety program that encourages communication.

Digitize Your Safety Plan to Protect Renewable Energy Contractors

Letting employees communicate their concerns and observations through digital forms demonstrates a willingness to work together to create a safe work environment. When those forms can be delivered to a mobile device, it encourages employees to participate in reporting issues to improve worker safety. GoCanvas allows businesses to create customized digital forms that can be incorporated into a comprehensive safety program. Contact GoCanvas today to see how we can help you digitize your safety plan.

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About GoCanvas

GoCanvas® is on a mission to simplify inspections and maximize compliance. Our intuitive platform takes care of the administrative tasks, freeing our customers to focus on what truly matters – safeguarding their people, protecting their equipment, and delivering exceptional quality to their customers. 

Since 2008, thousands of companies have chosen GoCanvas as their go-to partner for seamless field operations.

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Solutions to Waste Management Issues For Oil & Gas Companies

Posted on by Nikki Kanev

Solutions to Waste Management Issues For Oil & Gas Companies

Waste management compliance is important in every industry. The oil and gas industry, in particular, has a strong risk of waste emissions. Therefore, it’s vital for companies to understand how to manage drilling waste management, improve disposal of unwanted materials, and decrease unnecessary waste across the organization. 

Why Waste Management is Important in the Oil and Gas Industry

Waste management in the oil and gas industry is critical for a number of reasons. 

1. Protect Natural Resources

Oil and natural gas are vital natural resources. However, they are limited. By improving waste management practices, oil and gas companies can protect those natural resources and help them last longer. 

2. Reduce Pollution

The oil and natural gas industries may emit a number of pollutants, including methane, VOCs, and pollutant chemicals known or suspected to cause cancer. By improving waste management strategies, the oil and gas industry can decrease the pollutants released by its activities. 

3. Save Money and Resources

By improving waste management practices, many oil and gas companies find that they are able to protect money and resources, a critical element in the oil industry as prices remain volatile. In many cases, decreasing waste can help produce more output from the same resources the company already has. Or, in many cases, they can decrease the costs necessary to produce the same outcome. 

What are the 4 Types of Waste Management?

There are four main types of waste management practices. We’ve outlined the ones that most often impact the oil and gas industry.

1. Municipal Solid Waste

Municipal solid waste includes the general waste types produced by any business or, in many cases, homes. These may include paper and plastic products, metal and glass products, and other wastes generated from oil and gas containers. The oil and gas industry may generate solid wastes during the exploration process, due to the equipment used, during transport, or while storing oil and gas for future consumption. 

2. Industrial Solid Waste

Industrial solid waste can take a number of forms that may include higher overall levels of toxicity. In industry in general, including the oil and gas sector, many businesses use more dangerous chemicals and solvents than private homeowners typically use. In the oil and gas industry, that may mean different types of waste depending on the stage of the process.

For example, oil and gas exploration companies often deal with drilling fluids and cuttings that may be contaminated with chemicals. As a result, it’s impossible to return them back to the general water supply or to store them with general waste. 

3. Agricultural Waste and Residue

Most of the time, the oil and gas industry does not have to worry about agricultural waste, which is produced due to the byproducts of livestock or farming. However, residue from oil and gas production efforts may mingle with nearby agricultural waste in some settings. 

4. Hazardous Waste

The oil and gas industry may produce a great deal of hazardous waste during the normal course of operations. Those normal processes may lead to wastes that include:

  • Arsenic
  • Lead
  • Chromium
  • Mercury
  • Cadmium
  • Benzene

All these substances can be considered toxic when exposure occurs in high quantities. They may have an impact both on the environment and on the people interacting with them on a regular basis. As a result, the oil and gas industry must take several steps to ensure the proper disposal of those dangerous substances. 

Waste Disposal Regulations in the Oil and Gas Industry

The disposal of waste in the oil and gas industry is regulated heavily at both the federal and state levels. Because of the heavy amount of waste produced by the drilling and production processes, oil and natural gas companies may need to carefully consider their environmental impact before, during, and after drilling.

The RCRA

The Resource Conservation and Recovery Act helps regulate underground storage tanks and the disposal of solid or hazardous waste. It creates regulations at the federal level and encourages states to create their own individual regulations. 

Hazardous waste, under the RCRA, may include:

  • Ignitable waste
  • Corrosive waste
  • Toxic waste
  • Acute hazardous waste
  • Reactive waste

The RCRA has a “cradle to grave” regulation scheme that regulates the production, use, and disposal of hazardous waste at every stage of the process. At the disposal level, it prohibits anything that may discharge, inject, spill, or leak into the air, water, or ground. That means that hazardous waste from oil and gas production needs to be disposed of in proper landfills, rather than in open dumps. 

State Permits

In most states, oil and gas companies, like other companies, must have a state permit to dispose of hazardous waste. Each state has the right to decide what those permits include and how they are created. In many cases, oil and gas companies, due to their economic and energy-related necessity, are exempt from many of the processes required of other businesses and industries. However, each state sets its own regulations, which may vary dramatically from one to the next. 

Voluntary Management Practices

The EPA also issues specific voluntary management

  • Liners
  • Leak detection systems
  • Maintaining and using a pit for waste disposal
  • Regulations for the transportation of waste
  • Secondary protection of water tanks used in the cooling or production process

By following the best practices for voluntary management, oil and gas companies can substantially reduce the environmental impact due to hazardous waste produced throughout the process. Following those best practices can also help protect the company in the future.

Waste management for the oil and gas industry can be particularly challenging. By following essential industry regulations and best practices, however, oil and gas companies can reduce their impact, decrease waste, and ultimately create a more successful return on their investment.

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About GoCanvas

GoCanvas® is on a mission to simplify inspections and maximize compliance. Our intuitive platform takes care of the administrative tasks, freeing our customers to focus on what truly matters – safeguarding their people, protecting their equipment, and delivering exceptional quality to their customers. 

Since 2008, thousands of companies have chosen GoCanvas as their go-to partner for seamless field operations.

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Manage Risk for Oil and Gas Companies With a Risk Assessment Checklist

Posted on by Nikki Kanev

Manage Risk for Oil and Gas Companies With a Risk Assessment Checklist

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Today, the challenges faced by the oil and gas industry are considerable. Effective business leaders and managers must thoroughly understand them to determine and implement the most effective risk management strategies for their company. There are several commonly recognized best practices for risk management in the oil and gas industry. However, no one-size-fits-all approach will mitigate all actual and potential vulnerabilities. Each company is unique and requires its own customized risk assessment checklist that, at minimum, addresses the following areas:   

  • Supply, demand, and market dynamics
  • Worker health and safety
  • Environmental impact
  • Cybersecurity

A broad understanding of these vulnerabilities can help businesses pinpoint specific areas they need to address.

Supply, Demand, and Market Dynamics

The market for oil and gas is often quite volatile. Sudden changes in regional economies, wars, or public health can dramatically increase or decrease the supply or demand for oil in a matter of days. And when these shocks occur, the entire industry – including equipment, transport, storage, refining, training, marketing, and software businesses – feels the effects.

Moreover, the industry is highly regulated in most parts of the world, with new laws and regulations expected to continue to emerge. Additionally, many countries are moving to curtail greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions to combat climate change. As a result, nations and multinational organizations are drafting and implementing regulations which will continue to affect both the supply of and demand for oil and gas. And some industries, most notably the automobile industry, are shifting production away from gas-powered products to those powered by alternative fuel sources.

A single weather event in a key region could affect a company’s output or demand. So, it’s essential for oil and gas business leaders to carefully assess all the elements of their supply chain and customer base. It’s just as critical to monitor events continuously. This approach allows adjustments to be made, and new plans developed in real-time to help navigate the market’s inherent volatility.

Furthermore, oil and gas prices in commodities markets are dynamic. That means oil and gas companies must hedge their risks using certain investing strategies. Leveraging derivatives, such as futures, swaps, forwards, and options, can offset the losses a company may face that see a sudden drop in demand. However, these strategies come with their own risks and must be executed carefully.

Worker Health and Safety

While the use of machines and automated tools has helped increase worker safety considerably, oil and gas extraction is still quite dangerous. The work is long, and the working conditions are difficult. And no matter how sophisticated and rugged the machinery is in use, it can break down, resulting in injured workers, making an extraction even more difficult.

Oil and gas companies must design and implement solid worker health and safety plans that cover every aspect of their operation. Doing so is not just a matter of morality and productivity. The federal government requires it. Failing to comply with safety standards exposes companies to serious legal liability.

Part of any effective health and safety plan includes continuous monitoring of worksites, equipment, and conditions. Doing so helps managers identify and remediate safety issues before those issues cause equipment damage or result in injuries. Federal regulations also require businesses to report workplace safety incidents that result in illness or injury. Failing to comply or complying inconsistently introduces considerable legal risks.

Environmental Impact

Broadly, the energy sector has an outsized impact on the environment relative to most other industries. Oil and gas extraction, refining, and distribution result in GHG emissions. However, industry operations also come with the risk of oil spills, the need to dispose of hazardous waste, and other effects. And even if a vendor is directly responsible for an accident, it can be hard for a prominent oil or gas company to avoid taking the blame in the eyes of the public.

There’s also increasing scrutiny of whether companies operate sustainably. What once were esoteric and internal business processes are now regularly dissected on blogs and websites. Some companies have found it more difficult to do business because they directly or indirectly have a substantial negative impact on the environment.

Cybersecurity Risks

Of the four areas of risk management outlined, cybersecurity is the most recent. However, it also potentially poses the greatest risk. Cyber threats continue to grow in scale and scope, threatening businesses and organizations of all sizes and industries. Criminals will target any business from which they believe they can extract a ransom. But the oil and gas industry is also vulnerable to hacking attempts from more than just thieves.

Nation-state and non-nation-state actors have increasingly targeted the oil and gas industry and other critical infrastructure industries for geopolitical advantage. Some attacks are tied to armed conflicts, as oil and gas are critical wartime supplies. And in a global market, some hackers seek trade secrets on behalf of foreign interests.

Oil and gas companies have embraced new digital operational equipment that leverages robotics, machine learning, automation, and the Internet of Things (IoT). With that transformation comes new vulnerabilities. While business efficiency and productivity improve with digitization, potential access points increase. It’s true that hackers can steal corporate data in other industries. However, hackers infiltrating oil and gas networks can also deliberately or inadvertently cause significant physical and environmental incidents. These directly compromise worker safety and the environment.

Companies across the globe are in a fierce talent war for cybersecurity professionals. Oil and gas companies must also recruit and retain talented staff who can stay on top of emerging threats within the context of a unique and highly dynamic sector. These threats do not include outside actors. Instead, they involve internal threats from negligent or disgruntled employees.

Risk Management in the Oil and Gas Industry

Risk management in the oil and gas industry requires business leaders and managers to understand them and use the appropriate tools to evaluate them. Oil and gas companies need the right risk assessment checklist to help them evaluate the unique threats their firm faces. The GoCanvas team has created an effective risk assessment checklist to help you comprehensively assess your worksites.

Liability issues stemming from worker injuries aren’t the only worker health and safety issues leaders and managers must address. Some worker safety issues are a direct result of worker stress. And in an industry distinguished by hard work under tough conditions, businesses must evaluate and mitigate employee stress to mitigate the risk of workplace accidents.

GoCanvas also has developed a stress managers risk assessment tool that can help you gain invaluable insight into how your employees are faring and help you manage risk.

These are just two of the tools that GoCanvas offers business leaders and managers in the oil and gas industry. Our products are aligned with federal OSHA standards and easily customizable to fit your business needs. Visit GoCanvas to learn more about safeguarding your business from market, operational, and organizational risks today.

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About GoCanvas

GoCanvas® is on a mission to simplify inspections and maximize compliance. Our intuitive platform takes care of the administrative tasks, freeing our customers to focus on what truly matters – safeguarding their people, protecting their equipment, and delivering exceptional quality to their customers. 

Since 2008, thousands of companies have chosen GoCanvas as their go-to partner for seamless field operations.

Check out even more resources

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Focusing on your business practices for data collection will help you scale your business growth and productivity. Here are some best practices tips to improve…

Read the blog

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Waste management compliance is important in every industry. The oil and gas industry, in particular, has a strong risk of waste emissions…

Read the blog

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Oil and gas companies are getting smart about using the data they collect to gain insights and manage people, equipment, and worksites more effectively…

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We’ll help you put together the right solution for your needs.

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7 Tips To Pump Up Your Power Plant Safety

Posted on by Nikki Kanev

7 Tips To Pump Up Your Power Plant Safety

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Power plants have many regulations to live up to. However, bolstering power plant safety isn’t just about avoiding fines and improving your bottom line. Working in power plants can be dangerous for employees. A solid slate of safety precautions doesn’t just improve the efficiency of the plant, but it also empowers your employees to do their jobs without the threat of avoidable hazards.

Simple, common-sense precautions can greatly reduce the risk to your employees, as well as the threat of lost time or the costly waste of resources that can result from accidents. Consequently, keeping your power plant safe increases both the productivity of your business and the welfare of your workers.

7 Tips To Pump Up Your Power Plant Safety

Below, we’ve included some common ways to increase safety in power plants. These power plant safety topics will certainly get you started but remember– safety involves both learning and taking action. Educate your workers and your team about hazards, and implement programs and systems to improve the safety of your power plant.

1.  Ensure Adequate Safety Equipment

Safety equipment is the most basic precaution you must provide your workers. In addition, asking workers to perform tasks without adequate protection isn’t just risky. It’s often illegal.

Check those supplies of gloves, tinted glasses, hard hats, and other safety equipment. The last thing you want is a worker not using the proper equipment because there was none available. Since this protective equipment is often housed in many locations where workers need it, some supplies may be understocked.

Create systems for protective equipment so that what is on hand is regularly checked and reported. Therefore, knowing where supplies are needed is the first step to ensuring that your workers always have the protection they need.

2. Regularly Inspect Safety Equipment

All safety equipment in the plant must be inspected regularly in rotation. Don’t overlook anything. Workplace accidents at a power plant can be incredibly dangerous and costly. It’s worth the time to ensure that all safety precautions are working as intended at all times.

Create a regular schedule and allot resources. This way, your maintenance department can methodically verify the function of all safety equipment in the plant. This should be a priority and always ongoing. A breakdown in a critical system will be far less costly and damaging to operations if all safety equipment is performing as it should.

3. Create More Accessible Exits

Unfortunately, accidents do sometimes occur. However, if your safety programs work as intended, the damage to your plant’s team or productivity should be limited. During an emergency, one of the most important safety measures is always going to be giving workers a way to escape from harm’s way.

Multiple exits to any potentially hazardous area must be clearly marked. Additionally, ensure the entire team is well-educated about escape protocols. Any escape route should be hazard-free, even in the event of a total systems collapse. The last thing you want is a worker’s escape route to be obstructed because of an air supply failure or furnace pulsation. 

4. Educate, Educate, Educate.

Every worker in your power plant must know every step of the safety protocol, from top to bottom. All the safety precautions in the world mean little if your team doesn’t know how to properly utilize them, or if they’re even there.

Safety culture starts at the top. If your management team makes safety a priority and shows it by example, the whole team will work safer. Regular education and dialogue with your team about safety accomplish two things. It teaches them how to work more safely. And it teaches you about hazards you may not have noticed.

5. Stay Cybersecure

Technological solutions allow your plant to work more efficiently and safely. However, precautions must be taken, so you know that strength won’t become a weakness. Cybercriminals can do a lot of damage to your operations from even a small security breach. One breach could compromise the safety of the plant.

Protect your digital systems with thorough cybersecurity measures. A safe plant must be a secure plant, especially if you’ve automated procedures for a safer working environment.

6. Regularly Train for Equipment Safety

No matter how often your team uses equipment in the plant, they could benefit from safety training. Without proper, regular safety training, your workers will develop bad habits over time. For example, large equipment is costly and potentially very dangerous if misused. When new workers start, they’ll often pick up these bad habits from existing workers.

Regular and thorough equipment training is important to show your team the proper procedures with plant equipment. Additionally, show them the importance of attention to detail. Repeated safety training may feel redundant to your veterans. However, the best way to operate a machine perfectly every time is to practice the perfect way of operating it repeatedly.

7. Automate Safety and Compliance

The best safety program is one that has a rigid schedule to ensure all measures are followed. The reality is that a plant’s workers are the ones who ensure safety every day. However, ensure safety is checked and verified daily by automating safety and compliance checks.

Regulation compliance is often complex in a power plant. But automation can simplify needs down to a checklist and regular tasks. This can eliminate human error from safety planning, and it just makes life easier on your team. The software keeps compliance and safety tasks straight so they don’t have to.

At GoCanvas, we help streamline the safety process in your plant with automated safety and compliance plans. With our safety and compliance software, you’ll know that all the precautions in your plant are up-to-date. In addition, you’ll have easily available documentation of every inspection, inventory, or test. If anything goes wrong, you’ll have documentation on that as well. You will know exactly where retraining or new equipment is needed.

Undoubtedly, safety and compliance aren’t just good business practices in a power plant. They’re an essential part of the business. Keep your plant running smoothly and your workers safe and compliant by transforming your plant into a safer workplace today.

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About GoCanvas

GoCanvas® is on a mission to simplify inspections and maximize compliance. Our intuitive platform takes care of the administrative tasks, freeing our customers to focus on what truly matters – safeguarding their people, protecting their equipment, and delivering exceptional quality to their customers. 

Since 2008, thousands of companies have chosen GoCanvas as their go-to partner for seamless field operations.

Check out even more resources

Three people in hard hats looking at a tablet.

Smarter, Faster, Safer: Improving Safety Compliance with Mobile Technology

Compliance, there are many ways we talk about it. A necessary evil, a chore, a struggle, or a critically important part of business. We all know how crucial it is, helping save…

Read the eBook
Woman reviewing information on a tablet.

Your Guide to Waiver Forms — Examples and Templates

Waiver forms are a type of legal protection used by businesses to reduce their liability and risk. This type of agreement between a business and its customers is used…

Read the Blog
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Duotank Transforms Business Processes with GoCanvas

Duotank is a bag-in-tank alternative to the traditional keg beer system. The aseptic tank environment enables breweries to maintain the quality of their beer after it leaves…

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How Electric Cooperatives are Keeping Workers Safe Across the U.S.

Posted on by Danny Kanev

How Electric Cooperatives are Keeping Workers Safe Across the U.S.

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Electric cooperatives are increasing safety for workers and contractors across the United States. These initiatives include a commitment to zero contacts, the Rural Electric Safety Program, and other key safety education programs. They aim to help improve safety for workers and contractors for electrical companies across the country. Taking part in those initiatives can help many electrical companies across the United States create a greater overall level of safety for their individual workers and mitigate risk for the company as a whole.

Commitment to Zero Contacts

The Commitment to Zero Contacts begins with Phase 1: a re-commitment to lifesaving tools. Most electrical companies are aware of those lifesaving measures and how they can best ensure the safety of their workers. However, over time, those workers grow increasingly complacent. In addition, new workers may not receive the information they need to make the safest decisions on the job site.

In order to increase safety for electrical workers, the Commitment to Zero Contacts initiative has created a toolkit to help increase awareness of those lifesaving tools and critical safety regulations. The toolkit has a variety of resources designed to help improve overall safety on work sites, including:

  • An emergency information placard that allows for a place to note emergency contact information for every job briefing. These emergency information placards make it easier for workers to get in touch with emergency personnel in the event of an emergency.
  • Videos to help start the discussion about procedures designed to minimize contact. These include clearance procedures, cover-up procedures, and examples of how other companies have initiated those key changes.
  • Rules and procedures to help senior leadership make key decisions about operations and implement new programs. 

In addition, the toolkit contains logos, posters, stickers, and other materials designed to serve as a reminder of that zero contact commitment. As a result, workers are exposed to those reminders more often. This helps increase the odds that they will take needed safety precautions. 

Phase 2

As the initiative moves toward Phase 2, the electric cooperative will partner with operational department leaders. They review current workplace procedures, including those that could increase the risk of electrical contact. These hands-on meetings will broaden opportunities and provide more chances for discussion. In turn, they can help electrical companies across the country create more effective procedures. These assessments help provide more insight into actual work practices and create more buy-in across local electrical companies. 

The Rural Electric Safety Achievement Program

The Rural Electric  Achievement Program issues key performance measurement guidelines. This help lay out standardized reporting guidelines and safety initiatives that help increase awareness of potential vehicle accidents in rural electric companies. This safety program aims to improve the reporting of accidents in rural electric companies. As a result, we gain a better understanding of how and when accidents most likely occur. It recommends:

  • Regular tracking of vehicle accidents and vehicle mileage, which can help determine where and when accidents occur.
  • Updating performance measurement data when injury rates are finalized.
  • Tracking the demographics of potential accidents.

Track Accidents To Prevent Others

The Rural Electric Safety Achievement Program tracks the types of accidents that cause any type of fatalities. These include vehicle accidents, falls, electrical contacts, electrical flashes, “struck by object” injuries, non-electrical fatalities, or crushing damage. In addition, the program looks at the likely cause or causes of fatalities. These often include inadequate cover, minimum approach violation, failure to wear safety equipment, failure to ground, and failure to lock out/tag out. In short, the program takes a close look at the causes of fatalities. As a result, it can identify what safety violations are most common across rural electric companies and their workers. 

The initiative also aims to track injuries, including injuries that resulted in days away from work, and the causes of those injuries. By carefully tracking all those key details, the RESAP aims to increase awareness of potentially damaging injuries, their causes, and how workers can improve overall safety on the job site. 

Automating Safety Compliance Paperwork: How It Benefits Electric Companies

The recent rise in safety initiatives across electric companies has created a number of challenges. One of the main ones is the need to ensure that paperwork gets caught up in a timely manner. By automating safety and compliance paperwork, electric companies can experience a number of benefits. We’ve outlined three.

Mitigate Risk

Failing to comply with vital safety initiatives poses a danger to all electrical workers. Unfortunately, in many cases, the company may not realize that individual workers or groups of workers are failing to take those safety requirements into consideration. By automating the completion of that paperwork, companies can identify potential risks and mitigate them quickly, rather than exposing future workers to those risks. 

Automated safety and compliance paperwork completion also help ensure that the company is keeping all of its paperwork ready to go and all safety compliance standards in place. As a result, they reduce the overall risk that the company may face fines and fees from regulatory agencies.

Save Money

Safety and compliance can prove very expensive for some electrical companies. Furthermore, failure to keep up with vital safety regulations further increases overall costs. This is because the company may face liability for any accident that occurs due to a lack of appropriate safety measures. By automating safety and compliance paperwork, on the other hand, companies can often save money by streamlining the process and avoiding unnecessary accidents and the associated fees. 

Ensure a Safer Workplace

Electrical workers know the risks they face on the job. Unfortunately, over the years, those workers may grow complacent. New workers on the job may also be unaware of potential risks, especially if they do not receive the right briefings and support. By automating safety and compliance paperwork, the company can take those requirements out of the hands of individual workers, increasing the odds of successful completion and compliance. 

Safety and compliance in the electrical field are essential. By working with electrical cooperatives across the United States, companies can see higher overall safety levels. As a result, they can reduce injuries, protect workers, and decrease the cost of those vital safety requirements.

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About GoCanvas

GoCanvas® is on a mission to simplify inspections and maximize compliance. Our intuitive platform takes care of the administrative tasks, freeing our customers to focus on what truly matters – safeguarding their people, protecting their equipment, and delivering exceptional quality to their customers. 

Since 2008, thousands of companies have chosen GoCanvas as their go-to partner for seamless field operations.

Check out even more resources

Three people in hard hats looking at a tablet.

Smarter, Faster, Safer: Improving Safety Compliance with Mobile Technology

Compliance, there are many ways we talk about it. A necessary evil, a chore, a struggle, or a critically important part of business. We all know how crucial it is, helping save…

Read the eBook
Woman reviewing information on a tablet.

Your Guide to Waiver Forms — Examples and Templates

Waiver forms are a type of legal protection used by businesses to reduce their liability and risk. This type of agreement between a business and its customers is used…

Read the Blog
Closeup of a handshake.

Duotank Transforms Business Processes with GoCanvas

Duotank is a bag-in-tank alternative to the traditional keg beer system. The aseptic tank environment enables breweries to maintain the quality of their beer after it leaves…

Read their Story

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5 Ways GoCanvas Analytics Enables Data-Driven Decision Making

Posted on by Danny Kanev

5 Ways GoCanvas Analytics Enables Data-Driven Decision Making

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Today, market leaders know it’s not enough to access accurate and reliable data. No matter how in-depth, data is meaningless if you cannot effectively interpret it and generate valuable insights

In this article, we’ll explore five ways GoCanvas Analytics helps you turn data you’re already collecting into actionable insights that enable your business to save time and money, increase safety and compliance, and improve your business processes.

1. Automated Data Collection and Analysis

Sifting through and decluttering large amounts of data to uncover trends and anomalies is overwhelming. GoCanvas Analytics removes the hassles of analysis by using the data you’re already collecting to visualize what’s happening throughout your business in real-time, along with reports and alerts that are easy to share with your organization.

Better yet, dashboard views and reporting metrics can be tailored to your needs, so you can drill down into one facet of your business or keep track of everything in a high-level view, all with the click of a button.

2. A Comprehensive Toolkit to Help You Dive Deeper

For many industries, new information can arrive without warning. A sudden spike in safety-related incidents or an influx of new sales can change a trend at the drop of a hat. Having the right analytics tools in place enables you to take control of this information and make informed decisions without relying on manual back-end workflows that take days to process.

GoCanvas Analytics gives you the keys to successfully discover, interpret, and share new insights and knowledge gained from your data. Whether you’re viewing real-time data on a live dashboard or exporting reports, this tool reduces inter-departmental reliance, resulting in more time saved and less administrative work.

3. Automated Email Alerts and Reports

Active alerts are just as important as regular reporting. This is especially true when viewed through the lens of safety and compliance, where it’s vital to monitor safety incidents, equipment maintenance, and workplace inspections.

Along with sending scheduled reports, GoCanvas Analytics can automatically send email alerts based on changes in your data. If a metric reaches a specific threshold, like the number of safety incidents or failed inspections, a notification can be sent to anyone who needs it so that you can keep a pulse on your business.

4. Analytics Tailored to Your Business Needs

As you identify new problems you wish to solve and questions you want to answer for your business, you may discover new metrics you want to explore. 

GoCanvas Analytics has the flexibility and functionality to help evolve your data as your needs grow. Your dashboard views can be toggled to see historic quality control (QC) data, alerts can be set for active failures/issues, and you can even report on that data to predict QC issues before they happen.

5. Scales With Your Business

As your business grows, you’ll need additional insight and reporting capabilities to keep up with oversight of operations. 

GoCanvas Analytics is designed to scale with your business. Adaptive dashboards and reports change as your business does, generating more value as they update according to your data collection. With the help of our Analytics experts, you can leverage information that’s critical to your business success. The possibilities are endless.

Looking to take your data to the next level? GoCanvas Analytics provides you with dynamic, comprehensive dashboards so that you can keep tabs on your business in real-time. Click here to learn more!

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About GoCanvas

GoCanvas® is on a mission to simplify inspections and maximize compliance. Our intuitive platform takes care of the administrative tasks, freeing our customers to focus on what truly matters – safeguarding their people, protecting their equipment, and delivering exceptional quality to their customers. 

Since 2008, thousands of companies have chosen GoCanvas as their go-to partner for seamless field operations.

Check out even more resources

Three people in hard hats looking at a tablet.

Smarter, Faster, Safer: Improving Safety Compliance with Mobile Technology

Compliance, there are many ways we talk about it. A necessary evil, a chore, a struggle, or a critically important part of business. We all know how crucial it is, helping save…

Read the eBook
Woman reviewing information on a tablet.

Your Guide to Waiver Forms — Examples and Templates

Waiver forms are a type of legal protection used by businesses to reduce their liability and risk. This type of agreement between a business and its customers is used…

Read the Blog
Closeup of a handshake.

Duotank Transforms Business Processes with GoCanvas

Duotank is a bag-in-tank alternative to the traditional keg beer system. The aseptic tank environment enables breweries to maintain the quality of their beer after it leaves…

Read their Story

Connect with an Expert Today.

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The Best Risk Mitigation Strategies For Transporting Hazmat Materials

Posted on by Danny Kanev

The Best Risk Mitigation Strategies For Transporting Hazmat Materials

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Transporting hazardous materials means meeting strict safety standards and regulations set forth by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration and OSHA. Safely transporting hazmat materials includes preventing accidents that could cause devastating injuries to the driver of the truck, as well as others around that driver on the road. 

What is Hazardous Material Compliance?

Hazardous material compliance is the process of ensuring that all hazardous materials are safely handled during the transportation process. In order to safely ship hazardous materials, carriers may need to meet specific safety goals and requirements. The FMCSA uses hazardous material compliance as one of the key factors in ranking carriers when it comes to potential safety problems. 

6 Steps to Compliance When Preparing Hazmat Materials for Transport

In order to meet compliance regulations for properly transporting hazardous materials, you need to follow six important steps. 

1. Classify the Hazardous Material

Look up the material you intend to ship on the DOT Hazmat Table. This table will provide a number of essential details about the hazardous material, including:

  • Label codes
  • Packaging requirements
  • Quantity limitations
  • Any special provisions or exceptions regarding the transportation of that particular hazardous material

Properly classifying the hazardous material is an essential first step in safely transporting that item. This is because classification impacts how you package, label, and document the shipment

2. Determine Quantities

Look at how much of that specific material you will be shipping. This data lets you know what type of packaging is required for that material. Keep in mind that you may need to use specific markings on the package that designate what it is and the quantity. 

3. Package the Material

Pay careful attention to the packaging requirements laid out for that specific hazardous material. You may have to use performance packaging designed to keep that material as safe and contained as possible. 

4. Use Appropriate Markings

Hazardous material markings help designate what is in the package and any specific directions related to moving it. For example, it may note that the contents are flammable, that they should be kept away from heat, or that there is a significant danger if the substance is inhaled. Markings may also designate the appropriate package orientation or information about the quantity expected in that package. 

5. Prepare Shipping Documents

Pay attention to the specific requirements of the material you intend to ship. You may be required to have initial shipping documents for hazardous materials, so make sure you understand the requirements upfront. 

6. Contact Your Preferred Carrier

Make sure your carrier is aware of what you are shipping and any anticipated timeline. Check-in with your carrier about any additional requirements for shipping this specific hazardous material, since some carriers may have their own safety requirements.

Where Can You Find Regulatory Guidance for Shipping Hazmat?

Shipping hazardous materials can be a complicated process. At work, when the material is not in transit, OSHA regulations may govern the storage and handling of hazardous materials. OSHA does require a certain level of training in order to ensure that carriers and other employees can handle those hazardous materials safely. However, the FMCSA typically sets the regulations required for safely moving hazardous material, including both shipper responsibilities like packaging, marking, and employee training, and carrier responsibilities like loading and unloading, incident reporting, and marking the vehicle. 

How To Reduce Security Risk When Transporting Hazardous Materials

Hazardous materials often require a higher level of security than other shipments. Many of those materials could pose a substantial danger to others or to the environment if inadvertently spilled, broken into, or stolen. During transport, carriers may need to take additional steps to protect their cargo, especially when it meets the requirements set out by the US Department of Transportation.

Security requirements may include:

  • Reducing unauthorized access. Restricting available information about the facility or the individuals transporting hazardous goods can help prevent others from accessing it. 
  • Using tamper-resistant seals and locks on cargo.
  • Verifying the identity of both the carrier and the recipient of the cargo so that it is clear that hazardous materials have gone to the right place. 
  • Identifying the route that the driver should take, including acceptable deviations due to challenges faced along the route. 
  • Minimizing exposure to populated areas during the drive.
  • Avoiding tunnels and bridges.
  • Minimizing stops. In some cases, carriers may want to use two drivers or driver relays to minimize the number of stops required during a trip, particularly overnight stops. 
  • Using secure facilities for storage, including overnight storage. 
  • Using technology to track the movement of hazardous packages during shipping. 

In addition, some hazardous material shipments may benefit from having a guard to help protect the shipment and ensure that it reaches its destination safely. 

What is the Most Common Hazmat Threat?

Transporting hazardous materials brings with it a number of potential dangers. Mishandling hazardous materials is one of the most serious threats. Not only can improper packaging increase the risk of a leak or spill, but it may also increase the risks to first responders in an accident scenario. Carriers may need to go through specific training geared toward transporting hazardous materials safely. By making sure to properly label and package hazardous materials, shippers can decrease the odds of a dangerous incident.

What is a Must When Transporting Hazardous Materials?

Meeting regulatory standards is the biggest concern when transporting hazardous materials. Errors in labeling or documentation are among the most common challenges that result in shipments being returned to the sender. Failing to understand necessary packaging requirements may also mean that hazardous materials get shipped without proper labeling or marking, which can increase the danger to others. By taking the time to understand Hazmat regulations, both shippers and carriers can ensure a higher degree of safety for everyone involved. 

Shippers who regularly need to transport hazardous materials should pay careful attention to shipping regulations, By carefully following those regulations, they can help ensure the security of those items, protect themselves, and increase the odds that those materials will reach their destination in a timely manner.

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About GoCanvas

GoCanvas® is on a mission to simplify inspections and maximize compliance. Our intuitive platform takes care of the administrative tasks, freeing our customers to focus on what truly matters – safeguarding their people, protecting their equipment, and delivering exceptional quality to their customers. 

Since 2008, thousands of companies have chosen GoCanvas as their go-to partner for seamless field operations.

Check out even more resources

Three people in hard hats looking at a tablet.

Smarter, Faster, Safer: Improving Safety Compliance with Mobile Technology

Compliance, there are many ways we talk about it. A necessary evil, a chore, a struggle, or a critically important part of business. We all know how crucial it is, helping save…

Read the eBook
Woman reviewing information on a tablet.

Your Guide to Waiver Forms — Examples and Templates

Waiver forms are a type of legal protection used by businesses to reduce their liability and risk. This type of agreement between a business and its customers is used…

Read the Blog
Closeup of a handshake.

Duotank Transforms Business Processes with GoCanvas

Duotank is a bag-in-tank alternative to the traditional keg beer system. The aseptic tank environment enables breweries to maintain the quality of their beer after it leaves…

Read their Story

Connect with an Expert Today.

We’ll help you put together the right solution for your needs.

Let’s Build A Plan Together

Mining Dangers: Top 5 Risks and How to Prevent Them

Posted on by Danny Kanev

Mining Dangers: Top 5 Risks and How to Prevent Them

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Mining dangers are significant, but the rewards of digging into the earth to uncover treasures of gems, metals, minerals, and stones outweigh the costs. Many health and safety risks are involved in the in-ground work of mining and quarries. However, the top five include injuries from moving vehicles, physical handling injuries, falls, rock slides, and the effects of long-term exposure to mining. Awareness and prevention is the best way to help reduce injuries and fatalities. In addition, learning more about the history of mining has allowed safety practices to improve and led to better safety regulations.

History of Mining

Mining evidence can be found pre-dating recorded history. For example, it was used to harvest materials to make items like arrowheads. Later, the California Gold Rush in 1848 brought many new miners into California, seeking their fortunes and sometimes their lives. The original tools consisted of a pickaxe and hammer, with the occasional use of dynamite to dig deeper and faster.

Coal mining hazards included working in conditions with little access to breathable air. Luckily, advancements in mining technologies have reduced the physical risk to a miner. For example, machines are used to extract ores and minerals efficiently.

What Are the Top 5 Risks in the Mining Industry?

Gone are the days of bringing a canary into the mine with you and hoping the animal survives. Advancements in technology have been able to assess mining risks before they happen. However, the dangers of mining persist. The mining hazards of the past may include bad air, tunnel collapse, and labor-intensive work. Today, the risks to health and safety in mining have improved, but troubles remain.

Moving Vehicles

Any moving machinery has the potential to malfunction and cause harm. Mining vehicles like trucks, tractors, and lifting equipment are the top causes of mining accidents. Unfortunately, poor maintenance, aged equipment, and mechanical and human error can cause an injury. Small, poorly maintained roads and insufficient restraints factor into the injuries.

Preventing these risks is quite simple. However, time, money, and complacency impact the likelihood of preventing these risks. First, roads should be sturdy and wide enough for the traffic they will receive, devoid of potholes and dangerous curves. Secondly, employees need proper training in the use of vehicles and restraints. Lastly, maintenance inspections must be scheduled frequently. And equipment must be replaced to maintain vital working equipment.

Handling Injuries

Even in office settings, proper lifting and moving techniques are essential. The mishandling of materials or equipment can create injuries like back sprains, broken bones, loss of limbs, and even loss of life. In addition, manual shoveling, moving stones, and heavy operating equipment can tax the musculoskeletal system with time and improper technique.

Employees must be vigilant to prevent these injuries. That includes using proper moving and posture techniques. For example, using mechanical lifts and increasing training and safety supervision can reduce the injuries sustained from handling the materials by hand.

Falls

Falls are a significant safety factor for miners and machines. The miners have slip-and-fall type injuries, and mining adds to the additional threat of falling from a greater height. Sadly, falls from platforms cause severe injuries and even death. Additionally, devices falling over edges and off platforms pose a greater risk to the occupant and the workers below. Miners also fall when leaning over railings to view the work below.

Prevention is dependent on the degree of construction on the work site. For example, are there platforms, railing, handrails, kickboards, and adequate anchoring? Miners working at heights need anchors with a harness at all times. Machines must be anchored, and weight limits adhered to on platforms. Slips are reduced by increasing attentiveness, reducing clutter, oil and water spills, and using slip-resistant footwear.

Rockslide

Mining hazards have always included falling rock and debris from unstable areas. However, many factors can cause stones to become loose and begin to fall. For example, rainstorms can create a sudden rock slide, and blasting in or near the area loosens rock. Vehicle vibration can destabilize rock, and poor mining design can lead to unforgivable consequences.

Proper planning, maintenance, and adherence to regulations can help keep the mines stable. Proper rock face cleaning, regular hot spot identification, and following the mining plan will reduce the risks. Ensuring ample wall shoring and eradicating hazards before miners begin work is imperative.  

Long-Term Exposure

Risks of working at a mine include injury from long-term exposure to vibrations, noise, and dust. Vibrations from using hand-held machinery frequently can cause nerve damage in the hands and arms. Additionally, vibrations that jar the entire body can cause joint and back damage. Long-term exposure to loud noise, like machinery, can cause hearing loss. Respiratory illnesses plague miners from the minuscule dust particles mining produces.

The only prevention for vibration injuries from hand-held tools is to find the right tool with the lowest vibration level for the job. The tool that can achieve the objective fastest, with safe results, and with a low vibration level will reduce the vibration damage. In addition, machines need updating with vibration-reducing elements for occupants and to reduce external vibration.

Noise is reduced by insulation or coverings, using different materials, creating a sound-reduction surround, or using earplugs and mufflers. Reducing the impact of dust on miners includes wetting materials, de-dusting miners to remove dust, and using proper PPE to reduce the intake of dust particles.

Training Contributes to Safe Practices

Well-trained employees are the most significant contributor to mining safety. Miners can become accustomed to their work and reduce their vigilance over safety devices, increasing their risk. Creating a routine to ensure safety compliance before working significantly reduces the hazards of mining.

Do OSHA Regulations Apply to Mines?

Yes. OSHA requires new and experienced miners to complete specialized health, safety, and emergency training. However, federal laws have held mining operators responsible for the health and safety of their miners since 1977.

GoCanvas Has the Tools To Help

Even though the dangers of mining have been reduced over the past few decades, the potential for injury remains wherever material digging and moving occurs. However, OSHA training, safety measures, increased technology, and attention to detail can help prevent most injuries. GoCanvas can help you collect data, analyze it, and create better and safer working environments for your miners. Use technology to your advantage by allowing the GoCanvas app to:

  • Create work orders
  • Log repair requests
  • Log incident reports
  • Audit checklists
  • Log equipment inspections
  • Schedule maintenance
  • And more!

Contact GoCanvas to see how we can help increase your revenue while decreasing miners’ injuries.

Resources Extra:

Brief History of Mining & Advancement of Mining Technology | General Kinematics

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About GoCanvas

GoCanvas® is on a mission to simplify inspections and maximize compliance. Our intuitive platform takes care of the administrative tasks, freeing our customers to focus on what truly matters – safeguarding their people, protecting their equipment, and delivering exceptional quality to their customers. 

Since 2008, thousands of companies have chosen GoCanvas as their go-to partner for seamless field operations.

Check out even more resources

Three people in hard hats looking at a tablet.

Smarter, Faster, Safer: Improving Safety Compliance with Mobile Technology

Compliance, there are many ways we talk about it. A necessary evil, a chore, a struggle, or a critically important part of business. We all know how crucial it is, helping save…

Read the eBook
Woman reviewing information on a tablet.

Your Guide to Waiver Forms — Examples and Templates

Waiver forms are a type of legal protection used by businesses to reduce their liability and risk. This type of agreement between a business and its customers is used…

Read the Blog
Closeup of a handshake.

Duotank Transforms Business Processes with GoCanvas

Duotank is a bag-in-tank alternative to the traditional keg beer system. The aseptic tank environment enables breweries to maintain the quality of their beer after it leaves…

Read their Story

Connect with an Expert Today.

We’ll help you put together the right solution for your needs.

Let’s Build A Plan Together

High Safety Standards Equals More Clients For Drilling Contractors

Posted on by Danny Kanev

High Safety Standards Equals More Clients For Drilling Contractors

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The oil and gas industry comes with many safety risks. However, drilling contractors can mitigate them with the right safety program. High safety standards can go a long way in creating a safe environment for employees and visitors while helping to maintain efficient operations. However, as a drilling contractor, you might not know exactly how to maximize safety in the workplace.

Here we’ll explore the benefits of having a clear safety record and how you can facilitate one with the right safety measures.

How a Spotless Safety Record Benefits Drilling Contractors

Several benefits make high safety standards important to a drilling contractor and an operator. These benefits include the following:

More Business Opportunities

If drilling contractors have safety programs that maintain a consistently safe workplace, this will lead to an increase in business opportunities. Potential partners will be more inclined to work with drilling contractors who have a reliable safety program in place. This protects workers. However, it also helps ensure operations run smoothly throughout each project. As a result, operators and contractors will maintain a better relationship that keeps them in business in the long term.

Saved Money

Reliable safety measures also help save money. This is accomplished by preventing potentially costly workplace incidents. Workers stay safer, increasing productivity while helping you avoid potentially expensive legal issues due to avoidable work-related injuries. You’ll also be able to prevent equipment breakdowns that might otherwise set you back while putting employees at risk. In the end, you’ll experience cost savings as you keep your work environment safe and efficient with a solid safety program.

Improved Workforce Safety

A good safety program will also promote increased workforce safety in a number of ways. Training for both contractors and operators will help keep workers safer on a regular basis. Workers will understand how to properly prevent workplace accidents and handle equipment safely to avoid potential issues. A healthier workforce is also a happier one. It leads to an increase in productivity that keeps operations running as they should.

Steps for Ensuring Safety in the Oil and Gas Industry

There are many steps you can take to implement a safety program that keeps your workplace consistently safe and secure. For example, you can:

Understand All Safety Protocols Before Beginning Work

One of the best steps is to know all safety protocols and requirements before work begins. You can ensure this by undergoing full training by site safety coordinators who can detail all necessary steps.

Wear the Right Protective Gear

Another critical step is to wear sufficient personal protective equipment (PPE) that keeps all workers safe on the job. There are many pieces of PPE. Be sure to equip employees with safety goggles, hard hats, apparel rated for the specific job, hearing protection, boots, and gloves. You should also ensure equipment inspections are routinely performed. Look for any wear and tear warranting replacement PPE, which will further keep workers safer at all times.

Prepare Dig Sites Properly

Before you begin digging, ensure you’ve identified and marked all utilities in the dig site. Also, if you need to build a trench, it’s important to adhere to the guidelines under the Occupational Safety and Health Administration. Otherwise, trenches can cave in and present other hazards to workers, such as mobile equipment hazards and falling loads.

Limit Mobile Device Usage

You should have a policy that helps regulate the use of personal electronic devices such as smartphones and tablets in the workplace. These types of devices can easily distract workers at the wrong moment, leading to potential accidents.

Use Proper Signage to Mark Hazards

If there are any hazards present that you cannot remove, clearly indicate these hazards with sufficient signage. For example, mark all overhead lines that could otherwise lead to electrocution if workers aren’t aware of their presence. 

Facilitate Necessary Breaks for Employees

You should enforce breaks to keep workers from fatigue, heat exhaustion, and other risks related to working long consecutive hours. Also, educate employees about the differences between heat exhaustion, heat stress, and heat stroke to give them a good understanding of the risks they face in drilling environments. Workers should take occasional breaks to recover and drink plenty of water to stay hydrated.

Report All Unsafe Conditions

If you or workers witness any hazards, unsafe working conditions, or potentially dangerous acts on the part of employees or supervisors, it’s important to report these incidents. Doing so will alert those higher up and help ensure that steps are taken to mitigate safety risks with these dangers present.

Create an In-Depth Safety Checklist With a Maintenance Worksheet

You can also keep your workplace safer by developing and following a safety checklist. This checklist can include specific steps to take when checking and inspecting equipment, and other tasks that boost safety before work starts. Checklists also ensure maintenance crews properly complete each repair or replacement.

To help you build these checklists, you can use forms such as an equipment inspection and maintenance worksheet that optimizes the inspection and maintenance process. Specifically, GoCanvas can provide the forms you need to help perform all safety checks and maintenance tasks. These forms are paperless and work with any mobile devices, giving your teams access whenever they need them.

Keep Your Workplace Safe With Higher Safety Standards

By taking safety seriously, you’ll create a workplace that’s consistently safer and provides workers with the protection they need at all times. If you need help as a drilling contractor when implementing safety programs and protocols, GoCanvas can equip your business with efficient and thorough paperless forms.

You’ll find over 20,000 mobile forms at GoCanvas, including a range of equipment inspection and maintenance worksheets. As a result, you can automate safety checks and more effectively minimize the risk of incidents that could otherwise cause harm to workers and equipment.

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About GoCanvas

GoCanvas® is on a mission to simplify inspections and maximize compliance. Our intuitive platform takes care of the administrative tasks, freeing our customers to focus on what truly matters – safeguarding their people, protecting their equipment, and delivering exceptional quality to their customers. 

Since 2008, thousands of companies have chosen GoCanvas as their go-to partner for seamless field operations.

Check out even more resources

Three people in hard hats looking at a tablet.

Smarter, Faster, Safer: Improving Safety Compliance with Mobile Technology

Compliance, there are many ways we talk about it. A necessary evil, a chore, a struggle, or a critically important part of business. We all know how crucial it is, helping save…

Read the eBook
Woman reviewing information on a tablet.

Your Guide to Waiver Forms — Examples and Templates

Waiver forms are a type of legal protection used by businesses to reduce their liability and risk. This type of agreement between a business and its customers is used…

Read the Blog
Closeup of a handshake.

Duotank Transforms Business Processes with GoCanvas

Duotank is a bag-in-tank alternative to the traditional keg beer system. The aseptic tank environment enables breweries to maintain the quality of their beer after it leaves…

Read their Story

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