Compliance and Safety

Analytics and Data Collection | Compliance and Safety | Disaster Preparation

What are the Safety Road Blocks for Oil and Gas? (Infographic)

Posted on June 18, 2019October 10, 2024 by Danny Kanev

What are the Safety Road Blocks for Oil and Gas? (Infographic)

The oil and gas industry is a crucial, but risky industry. While the industry has gotten much safer over the years, a recent study by Draeger reveals major gaps we can fix.

Want to learn more about how mobile technology and data can be used in the oil and gas industry?

Take a look at our new eBook, 4 Ways Big Data is Transforming Oil and Gas.

In it, you’ll learn:

How to predict when equipment will fail, and how best to structure your maintenance schedule
How data collection can help keep track of complex environmental regulations
How to enable quicker decision-making to improve worker safety and health

About GoCanvas

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

Check out even more resources

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

Today, the challenges faced by the oil and gas industry are considerable. Effective business leaders and managers must thoroughly understand them to determine…

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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…

Connect with an Expert Today.

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

7 Best Oil and Gas Safety Apps

Posted on June 5, 2019October 10, 2024 by Danny Kanev

7 Best Oil and Gas Safety Apps

Compliance and Safety | Disaster Preparation | Inspections

The oil and gas industry is among the most dangerous industries for workers, with a fatality rate seven times higher than any other U.S. industry. Safety management in the oil and gas industry is a crucial part of operations and one in which every detail matters.

Working in this industry, in safety management or not, requires all individuals to be diligent and knowledgeable about the different safety risks associated with this field of work. Although it can be repetitive, thorough safety training is very important; management wants to know that crew members are complying to their safety training while on site. Stakeholders understand that occupational safety and staying environmentally compliant is not just the right thing to do, but also better for oil and gas businesses in the long run.

One of the best ways to improve oil and gas safety processes is through better data capture and standardization of processes on site. Capturing data electronically through mobile apps (instead of on paper) gives management real-time business insights to ensure protocols are being met and ensures problems can be resolved quickly if not avoided entirely.

Here are several must-have oil and gas safety apps to track job site safety!

1. Rig Inspection Checklist

The Rig Inspection Checklist app helps ensure the operational integrity of your land rigs. By performing inspections in real time you can ensure your team is always in compliance with the latest regulations. This mobile inspection form lets you conduct drilling rig inspections on: personnel certifications, rig site accommodations, Gensets and engines, SCR room, accumulator, mud pumps, mud tanks and more. Since this Rig Inspection Checklist App is editable you can extend it to include workover rig inspections, drilling inspections, and equipment checklists.

2. Oil and Gas Drilling Safety Checklist

The Oil and Gas Drilling Safety Checklist App helps improve safety operations and performance. This app can be used for anyone is the oil and gas industry looking to improve safety measures and can be used even by those who are dedicated to the occupational health and safety of the job site. This app can be used not just to ensure industry compliance but can be used to entirely prevent worksite injuries for employees. Update this app template to include other particular topics including but not limited to site safety checklists and toolbox talks.

3. Daily Self Inspections

The Daily Self Inspection App helps ensure employees are taking the appropriate precautions when starting their day. In this app employees will be prompted to run through a variety of checklists related to accident prevention, DOT safety audits, hazardous conditions, PPE for employees and more. Once the form is completed the submission will automatically save for your records in accordance with OSHA and MSHA record keeping standards. With features such as required fields, photo capture, and offline capabilities management can ensure that workers have the right personal protective equipment on hand and that hazardous locations are secured before work begins each day.

4. Confined Space Hazards Assessment

The Confined Space Hazards Assessment App is used for pre-work audits to ensure site and environmental safety. Employees will be prompted to inspect atmospheric hazards, work-related hazards, confined space hazards, and human factors. As a supervisor of employees, define entry procedures for potential hazards for health and safety, such as ventilation leading to oxygen deficiency, engulfment hazards, atmospheric hazards, and physical hazards. As with all GoCanvas apps you can add or remove whatever you and your team find important.

5. MSHA Inspections or OSHA Inspections

Whether your business must comply with OSHA or MSHA regulations GoCanvas has hundreds of apps specific to these regulatory bodies. Every oil and gas business needs to ensure that their workplace is up to industry safety standards. These apps help make sure every safety form is not just accurate but also always accessible. Regular use of these inspection checklists can help reduce workplace injuries and keep the work area safe. These apps help both the employees and employers reduce the risk of injury and illnesses.

6. Emergency Response Plan

Proactive risk prevention is essential within the oil and gas industry. The Emergency Response Plan App helps management mitigate the impact of problems if in the off chance they do occur. To help your team feel comfortable with emergency readiness and preparation this app will help guide them through how management expects them to prepare. This app was created specifically for underground coal mine safety, but can be edited to fit whatever environment your team works in. As supervisors and safety professionals, identify where corrective actions are needed according to regulations and requirements as part of OSHA compliance.

7. Job Safety Analysis (Health and Safety Plan)

The Job Safety Analysis App helps staff identify project hazards and specify engineering and administrative controls and personal protective equipment necessary to mitigate the risks associated with these hazards. As new hazards are reported a JSA or JHA must be conducted to stay compliant with industry regulations. This app makes it so staff can submit these reports from their mobile device and assists in emergency response planning of the specific project.

Where does GoCanvas help in improving your oil and gas safety? GoCanvas offers each of these apps as templates that you can customize yourself…or we can help you do it! This automates the way information is captured in the field and makes it easy to deploy these apps through a single platform where data is stored centrally, users can easily be managed and results can be visualized in real-time.

Although increasingly more programs and products are created to promote employee safety, the effectiveness of these tools must be tracked and when it comes to safety the data needs to be real time so corrective action can be taken immediately. Automation is necessary to oversee inspections, performance, and maintain safety in oil and gas extraction with no lag time in communications. When situations arise in the field it is important to have tools in place to prevent and mitigate damage at a moment’s notice. Luckily, operators and contractors in the field can use mobile forms to monitor exposure of chemicals, metals, NORM, and more, then create programs to keep oil and natural gas drilling workers safe. Over 900+ mobile forms are available for the Mining, Quarry, Oil, Gas & Chemicals industry within the GoCanvas Application Store.

Want to learn more about how mobile technology and data can be used in the oil and gas industry?

Take a look at our new eBook, 4 Ways Big Data is Transforming Oil and Gas.

In it, you’ll learn:

How to predict when equipment will fail, and how best to structure your maintenance schedule
How data collection can help keep track of complex environmental regulations
How to enable quicker decision-making to improve worker safety and health

About GoCanvas

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

Check out even more resources

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

Today, the challenges faced by the oil and gas industry are considerable. Effective business leaders and managers must thoroughly understand them to determine…

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…

4 Ways Big Data is Transforming Oil and Gas

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

Connect with an Expert Today.

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

Analytics and Data Collection | Compliance and Safety | Inspections

Maintaining your Duty of Care under the UK Corporate Manslaughter Act

Posted on March 12, 2019October 10, 2024 by Danny Kanev

Maintaining your Duty of Care under the UK Corporate Manslaughter Act

Staying Compliant and Keeping Roads Safe in the UK

More than a quarter of all motor vehicle accidents involve a driver that is driving under the circumstances of their employment. Health and safety laws apply to work-related activities that occur on the road in the same way as they do in the workplace. The UKCorporate Manslaughter and Corporate Homicide Act holds companies and employers liable where serious failures in the management of health and safety have resulted in a fatality. Juries in such cases will consider how the work-related motor vehicle activities are managed – such as any systems or processes which are in place to help manage safety and how those were operated in practice. Companies found guilty will be liable to unlimited fines and may have to publicly declare their conviction and financial penalty.

A Business’s Duty to Road Safety

Companies have a legal duty to adequately inspect their vehicles and put in place suitable arrangements to manage health and safety. Vehicle inspections must ensure (among other concerns) that vehicles are fit for the purpose for which they are used, that vehicles are maintained in a safe and fit condition, and that drivers’ health, and possibly safety, is not being put at risk.

Vehicle inspections do not stop at ensuring that the vehicle itself is safe, however. For example, companies must ensure that the driver s themselves are safe. Inspections must ensure that drivers are competent and capable, that the drivers are properly trained, that drivers have clear safety instructions, that drivers are fit and healthy, and that as an employer, you understand your duties under health and safety laws when hiring contractors and subcontractors. Inspections must also cover the driver’s journey, covering issues like the thoroughness of route plans, whether work schedules are realistic, is enough time allotted to complete drives safely, and are weather conditions considered when planning journeys. There is an immense amount for companies to cover.

Negligence Repercussions

If one of your employees is killed while driving for work, and there is evidence that serious management failures resulted in a ‘gross breach of a relevant duty of care,’ your company could be at risk of being prosecuted under the Corporate Manslaughter and Corporate Homicide Act. It is therefore essential for employers to diligently compile safety reports when doing inspections to avoid liability. The more an employer can document the inspections they do, the more efficient the inspections will be, the safer employees are, and the more protected the company is from costly litigation. However, risk assessment is about identifying and taking sensible measures to control the risks in your workplace, not about creating huge amounts of paperwork.

The best way for employers to diligently document inspections while avoiding copious amounts of paperwork is to invest in an advanced mobile forms software. Such technology gives employers the best of both worlds. Companies can efficiently and flexibly keep track of and document vehicle inspections from multiple locations, and even on the go, and aggregate the data in real time. This way employers can keep excellent records, keeping their employees safe, and their company safe from censure, while reducing paperwork. Companies can then use the software to analyze the data they gather, fostering better practices by finding potential deficiencies in machinery and workforce.

Now you can easily modernize the way you are conducting and auditing truck inspections. Whether you are looking to improve your data handling processes or improve the safety of your truck operations, we hope you consider using GoCanvas as your data collection tool. Sign up for GoCanvas free and give our platform a try today!

About GoCanvas

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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Fire Inspection Apps for iPad, iPhone, Android and Apple Mobile Devices

Posted on January 8, 2019October 14, 2024 by Danny Kanev

Fire Inspection Apps for iPad, iPhone, Android and Apple Mobile Devices

Business Operations | Compliance and Safety | Inspections

Mobile Tech Making a Major Impact in Fire Safety

Fire inspection apps for iPads, iPhones, Android, and Apple mobile devices are powerful tools to help streamline any business doing safety and routine inspections ranging from simple fire extinguishers and alarms to robust fire protection systems. Fire alarm inspection apps, fire extinguisher inspection apps, fire safety inspection apps and more are all common uses of the GoCanvas platform. The major benefits of these apps include:

Time savings – With fire inspection apps, you can insert pictures, notes and signatures at the time of inspection. This saves fire inspectors tons of time because GoCanvas will generate the reports automatically instead of taking time later manually add photos to your reports and forms and manually send them out to customers.

Improved data accuracy – With paper fire inspection forms, data can often be inaccurate do to a variety of factors, such as skipped fields, illegible data or doing calculations incorrectly. Or worse, the form gets lost and someone has to redo the inspection. With GoCanvas, you can set up your inspection forms so that certain fields are required and can’t be skipped. And since you aren’t dealing with paper, your reports can be instantly shared back to the office when they’re complete.

Since the very beginning here at GoCanvas, fire inspectors have consistently come to us for fire inspection apps and fire system installation apps. They also use GoCanvas for fire inspection app, service ticket apps, checklist apps and more.

GoCanvas allows them to replace every paper form in their clipboard with a mobile form on their iPad, iPhone, Android, or Apple device. They simply pull out their device, launch GoCanvas, and select the particular GoCanvas app they need to fill out. The data is placed into a PDF document that can be emailed directly to customers and colleagues who need the data. The completed forms are stored on the GoCanvas servers and are accessible anytime via our website.

GoCanvas apps can be customized online using our powerful app builder. You can edit apps found in our application store or build your own from scratch. You can build fire inspection, sprinkler systems and fire safety apps that match the paper forms you’re using today and include some of the great features that paper just can’t match!

Time-Saving Features

GoCanvas apps can be customized online using our powerful app builder. You can edit apps found in our application store or build your own from scratch. You can build fire inspection and fire safety apps that match the paper forms you’re using today and include some of the great features that paper just can’t match!

Signature Capture – Signature capture apps are also popular here at GoCanvas. Signature capture on iPads, iPhones, Android, and Apple devices is done easily with GoCanvas. Employees or customers can sign right on the screen with their fingers or a styllus.

Insert Pictures/Images – Taking pictures and inserting them into your documents is also very popular. There is nothing worse than spending hours pulling images off of your mobile device or digital camera and then inserting them into a Word document. GoCanvas allows you to insert them right during the job at the time you capture them.

Barcode Scanning – Barcode apps are also something we see a lot of here at GoCanvas. You could place a barcode on all of the fire extinguishers in a building, for example. When you come to inspect it you just scan the barcode and all the data about that extinguisher auto-populates for the inspector (serial number, model, size, etc.).

GPS – You can ensure that your inspectors were actually on site when they complete their inspections. Your customers don’t want to think that your reports were filled out at the local fast food joint with fake data!

Dispatch – You can queue up jobs for your inspectors using our dispatch feature. Or you can dispatch jobs on a one-off basis as your customers call in needing service. Using a work order app or service ticket app you can fill in the jobsite information and customer contact information and the nature of the problem reported and you inspector or technician can fill in the rest and send it back to you.

Now you can easily modernize the way you are collecting data. Whether you are looking to improve your data handling processes or advance reporting, we hope you consider using GoCanvas as your data collection tool. Sign up for GoCanvas free and give our platform a try today!

Interested in learning more? Check out our eBook on The Power of Data: How to Turn Numbers into Business Insights.

About GoCanvas

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

Check out even more resources

Centurian Transport saves $100k every year with GoCanvas

Centurion is the largest heavy haulage provider in Australia. They deliver national supply chain solutions to the resources, energy, construction & retail sectors…

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…

TWO MEN AND A TRUCK® used GoCanvas to increase data visibility & compliance

With a workforce that primarily works out in the field, many of the TWO MEN AND A TRUCK® locations found that paperwork was hindering…

Connect with an Expert Today.

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

How to Be Prepared for Commercial Motor Vehicle (CMV) Inspections and Avoid Fines

Posted on November 30, 2018October 10, 2024 by Danny Kanev

How to Be Prepared for Commercial Motor Vehicle (CMV) Inspections and Avoid Fines

Compliance and Safety | Inspections | Job Safety Analysis

Ensure your Commercial Trucks are Safe and Compliant

Operating and managing commercial vehicles requires consistent maintenance check-ups for the safety of the driver and others on the road. Since businesses are becoming more focused on delivering goods directly to consumers, commercial drivers are logging more miles and are therefore more likely to experience an inspection check. The failure of an inspection can put a vehicle or a driver out of commission, hurting your business’s ability to operate. Being prepared for CMV inspections is essential for any business with commercial vehicles to operate efficiently.

What is a CMV Inspection?

Commercial Motor Vehicle (CMV) inspections are safety inspections for commercial vehicles administered by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), an entity within the U.S. Department of Transportation. There are four main types of CMV inspections: daily driver inspections, periodic/annual inspections, roadside inspections, and on-site compliance reviews. Each of these inspections target different areas that could create hazards for your employees or for third parties, but the target among each test is the same: ensuring safety. The inspections range from the precision with which a driver has filled out a pre- or post-trip assessment or the safety standards for loading and unloading, to the operating standards of every system on the vehicle – from coupling devices to windshield wipers.

What Happens in the Event of a Violation?

In the event that your vehicle is in violation of any of the CMV standards, a three-step process is applied:

First, if there are actionable violations, such as operating the vehicle without a valid license or a headlight out, the carrier will receive a citation. The fine will depend on the jurisdiction of the law enforcement making the stop.

Second, if the vehicle is deemed to be unsafe to continue, it will be placed Out-of-Service, meaning it cannot continue to be operated until the items have been corrected.

Third, the data collected from the inspection will be input into the Safety Measurement System (SMS). All violations are recorded in the SMS and a company will be given a score based on the number and type of its violations.

If a company’s SMS score exceeds any of the predetermined thresholds in any category, the company will be subject to a variety of penalties, including targeted inspections, company investigations, civil penalties, and even an order to cease operations.

How to Prevent CMV Violations

One of the best ways to prevent CMV violations and the resulting penalties is to review drivers’ logs and inspections and immediately address any concerns that are uncovered. For most companies that operate commercial motor vehicles, this can be difficult, however. Due to the nature of the business, it can be tough to quickly aggregate and analyze driver’s logs and inspection reports, and subsequently remedy problems, before a violation is committed. This problem only becomes more exaggerated the bigger a company is and the farther its services reach.

Companies that use commercial motor vehicles need the tools in place to ensure that their drivers are able to quickly and efficiently log concerns and problems so they can be quickly addressed. If a company expects to keep up with the demands of its business, the only way it is going to achieve this goal is through the use of an effectively customized mobile form software. Mobile form software allows drivers to log problems with their vehicles and make the reports immediately available to every branch of your company that needs that information to solve the problem.

Faster and more effective digital analysis makes it easier to detect patterns and problems in your machinery, and coordination among teams who can simultaneously access the same reports makes for a much safer, and more efficient operation. The benefits that come from being able to immediately communicate, aggregate, and analyze inspection reports is essential, not only for preventing CMV violations but also for providing a safe working environment for your drivers.

Now you can easily modernize the way you are conducting inspections. Whether you are looking to improve your data handling processes or improve the safety of your field operations, we hope you consider using GoCanvas as your data collection tool. Sign up for GoCanvas free and give our platform a try today!

Interested in learning more? Check out our ebook on 4 Ways Mobile Inspection Forms Can Keep Your Trucks on the Road!

About GoCanvas

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

Check out even more resources

Centurian Transport saves $100k every year with GoCanvas

Centurion is the largest heavy haulage provider in Australia. They deliver national supply chain solutions to the resources, energy, construction & retail sectors…

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…

TWO MEN AND A TRUCK® used GoCanvas to increase data visibility & compliance

With a workforce that primarily works out in the field, many of the TWO MEN AND A TRUCK® locations found that paperwork was hindering…

Connect with an Expert Today.

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

Analytics and Data Collection | Compliance and Safety | Inspections

5 Tips to Prepare for a Restaurant Health Inspection

Posted on November 7, 2018November 14, 2024 by Danny Kanev

5 Tips to Prepare for a Restaurant Health Inspection

Preparing for a Restaurant Health Inspection

Whether you own a small restaurant or work at a major restaurant chain, health code violations can pose a significant threat to the life of the business and its consumers. Every year the USDA sends auditors to perform semi-annual restaurant inspections. Each inspection is unannounced, so restaurants must always be ready.

Without consistent internal audits and inspection checks, it can be challenging for restaurants to ensure they will be prepared when the inspector arrives. Many of the cleaning tasks done on a regular basis don’t even scratch the surface of what restaurant auditors will be paying close attention to. This is why weekly or even monthly inspections should be carried out internally. You can never overdo restaurant cleanliness.

Here are some common violations restaurants often overlook.

1. Check Temperatures

Keeping your food at safe temperatures is a must. The USDA requires that a refrigerator should be at 40 *F or below and freezers should be kept at 0*F or below. Refrigerator temperatures can fluctuate throughout the day which is why, if it is not required where you reside, it is recommended to keep a log of refrigerator temperatures and record the temperature two to three times each day.

When the food is ready to be served, the USDA requires hot food to be held at 140*F or above and cold food to match refrigeration standards at 40*F.

*Note – Refrigerator and freezer thermometer reading should be visible when the doors are open.

2. Don’t Cross-Contaminate & Label Expiration Dates

Just like what you learned when you got your Food Handlers Permit, cross-contamination is a serious issue. Cross-contamination happens when raw meat or other harmful foods come in contact with other foods. As an example, cross-contamination can occur when a cutting board is used for raw meat and then used again to cut vegetables. Cross-contamination can be avoided by clearly labeling and distinguishing between different cooking utensils used.

Clearly labeled food items are also important. Expiration dates should be visible on all products. For example, items that have thawed have a 48-hour lifecycle or less and therefore should be labeled with a visible expiration date within 48 hours. If an item isn’t marked or some inventory has expired this would be marked as critical on your restaurant audit.

3. Properly Store & Mark Cleaning Items

How you clean up (or not) can result in a health violation! Many cleaning chemicals and solutions can be extremely harmful if incorrectly used or ingested. Unmarked or illegible cleaning chemicals can be easily confused and mixing these up is no small mistake. Every unmarked bottle could result in multiple critical marks on your audit. Avoiding this is simple, make sure every cleaning item or other container is clearly labeled and stored in an isolated location away from food handling processes. For example, you must keep red cleaning buckets with a micro-quat next to each station with a clean towel inside.

Companies using chemical solutions for dishwashing must be sensitive to PH levels and solution temperatures. Chemical solutions outside of these standards can be ineffective or potentially dangerous. To maintain proper chemical standards have staff perform a daily PH test and frequently replace solution water.

4. Supervise Employee Hygiene

Employee cleanliness is another crucial component of this. Every employee should be sure to wash their hands thoroughly before handling food. When returning from the restroom even if they are not handling food hands need to be washed. Depending on the state you live in each restroom is required to display a sign mandating that “All Employees Must Wash Their Hands.” Inspectors have found creative ways to make sure this is being followed through with, and failure to do so can fail your inspection.

Employee accessories are also necessary to highlight. Things such as jewelry, nail length, and hair care are all stuff an auditor will take note of. Hair should be pulled back, nails should be kept short and preferably in gloves, and jewelry should be avoided. Each of these things is something managers should be diligent to enforce and wary of with their employees.

5. Schedule Consistent Bathroom Sweeps

Bathrooms should be stocked with paper towels (or hand dryers), toilet paper, and hand soap at all times. To ensure that bathrooms are replenished it is recommended to have staff check once every 3 – 4 hours depending on the traffic. Other things to keep in mind is toilet cleanliness, issues such as a loose toilet seat are considered violations as well.

*Note – No trashcan in the restaurant can be full. There should be about 3 inches from the top of the trash to the top of the container.

GoCanvas Apps for Restaurant Health Inspections

Restaurant inspections don’t have to be intimidating. GoCanvas offers tons of free resources for small and large restaurants to improve their internal inspection process. To get started, check out a few of our popular restaurant inspection templates.

Find these and other restaurant apps in the GoCanvas Application Store. Use these templates or create your own to ensure your team is always prepared for your next audit. Sign up for GoCanvas for free today, or schedule a demo with our experts to learn more! Be prepared for your next restaurant health inspection with the help of GoCanvas!

Whether you are making the switch from paper or looking to improve your internal processes, we hope you consider GoCanvas as your data collection tool. Sign up for GoCanvas free and give our platform a try today!

Interested in learning more? Check out our how Cerveza Patagonia uses GoCanvas for restaurant and bar audits.

About GoCanvas

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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5 Tips to Improve How Your Business Collects Data

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Hotel vs. Airbnb: How Hotels Can Come Out on Top

Posted on September 21, 2017November 14, 2024 by Danny Kanev

Hotel vs. Airbnb: How Hotels Can Come Out on Top

Business Operations | Compliance and Safety | Inspections

In the battle of hotels vs. Airbnb, hotels can gain a competitive advantage by using mobile inspection apps to deliver 3 benefits that rentals often lack.

For some travelers, Airbnb and other short-term rentals provide benefits that hotels can’t always offer — like lower rates, eclectic accommodations, and amenities like full kitchens and living rooms.

When you look at the data, Airbnb rentals seem to be steadily gaining ground. Airbnb revenue increased 89 percent in July 2016 compared to the same month in 2015, while hotels only saw an average of 19 percent growth in the same timeframe. And this “sharing economy” model seems to especially appeal to the millennial generation, with almost half of Airbnb patrons between the ages of 18 and 34, while only 28 percent of guests who booked through Marriott.com fell in that category.

With more and more guests booking rental properties, what can hotels do to come out ahead of Airbnb? The key is successfully delivering some of the benefits that Airbnb rentals often lack — including service, consistency, and safety. Here’s how.

Service

When travelers arrive at a hotel, they know they can expect a certain level of service: Someone will be at the front desk to check them in and hand them a room key. If they forgot their toothbrush, want more pillows, or start craving a cheeseburger, all they have to do is pick up the phone, and the hotel staff will bring them whatever they need. And travelers can be sure that every day, housekeeping will stop by and leave the room — and bathroom — sparkling clean.

Individual rental properties can’t guarantee any standard level of service — and it tends to vary widely depending on the host. Guests can message or call their host, but they’re not guaranteed a response — or that the response will helpful, let alone friendly. If they find the sheets missing (or dirty!), there is no guarantee that anyone will come to their aid at 11 p.m. While there are many positive reviews about Airbnb stays, there are plenty of stories online about uncommunicative or completely unavailable hosts.

Hotels have the opportunity to come out ahead of rental properties by offering friendly, consistent service that puts guests first. By using mobile inspection apps, hotel management can collect real-time data about maintenance and guest issues — which means you can address those concerns immediately, rather than keeping guests waiting. And that kind of service can make your hotel stand out from less service-oriented accommodations.

Consistency

In general, guests know what to expect when they walk into a hotel room. They know there will be someone at reception, a clean bathroom stocked with travel-size toiletries, a neatly made bed, TV, phone, closet with hangers, and maybe a couple of extras — like a microwave or mini fridge.

Airbnb rentals are anything but consistent. Sure, some offer extras like toiletries or an in-room coffee maker. But sometimes they don’t — or sometimes, it’s unclear. Since Airbnb hosts often rent out their own homes, they may have half-empty toiletries and no hand soap in the bathrooms, or food in the fridge that may or may not be meant for guests’ use.

And cleanliness isn’t guaranteed. Even if a home rental site offers pictures of properties, the images may be deceiving. One guest reported booking an apartment that looked clean and bright in the photos — only to arrive to space that was cluttered, dark, stuffy, and had a distinct aroma of mildew.

Hotels that prioritize consistency offer guests peace of mind — so they know exactly what to expect when they walk into the room. Mobile inspection apps provide staff with easy-to-follow checklists that can be used in every room, every day to help keep your facilities consistently clean and guest satisfaction high. And with the data you collect, you can understand where the recurring problem areas are and decide how to address them.

Safety

Every Airbnb is different — which can be appealing to some travelers. But the lack of safety standards has led to traumatic guest experiences. For example, one traveler recalls discovering an infestation of bed bugs in his Airbnb. He eventually rebooked his stay at a nearby hotel, but first had to seek medical attention and sanitize all his clothes and personal belongings. Another traveler discovered the condo he booked through Airbnb was one of only a handful of units that were still occupied — the rest of the complex was completely abandoned and overgrown with weeds.

Hotels have much more control over these situations and, with regular inspections, can help ensure guest safety. Mobile inspection apps make it easier for hotel staff to inspect rooms for hazards including bed bugs, damaged furniture, burned-out light bulbs, etc., and can guide staff members through checklists to ensure the rooms are all free from dangers that could put guests at risk.

For any travel accommodations, guest perceptions are key. One bad online review can significantly impact future business. Learn more about using mobile inspection apps to keep your guests coming back in our eBook, “Fresh and Clean: How Mobile Inspections Save Hospitality Industry Reputations.”

Free Mobile Form Templates - Room Inspections

About GoCanvas

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

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Improving Your Operations with Field Service Management Software

Whether you have two or 200 employees, your business’ success depends on their hard work. Passionate, motivated team players are the difference between…

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Should You Connect Field Service Management Software with QuickBooks?

Field service management software has shown to increase productivity both for employees in the field and operations teams in the office. You may be wondering how field service…

How the Best Field Services Businesses Use Mobile Apps

Mobility and field service: the talk has been happening forever. The idea that real-time information improves customer service and boosts technician productivity is changing…

Connect with an Expert Today.

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

Analytics and Data Collection | Compliance and Safety | Inspections

Passing Roadside Inspections: 3 Tips for Success

Posted on July 7, 2017October 10, 2024 by Danny Kanev

Passing Roadside Inspections: 3 Tips for Success

A large truck is involved in a fatal accident approximately every 2.5 hours. To keep your trucks and drivers out of those accidents and on the road, it’s vital that you comply with the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration’s (FMCSA) Compliance, Safety, Accountability (CSA) program, which is designed to help prevent commercial motor vehicle crashes, injuries, and fatalities.

The core element of CSA — the Safety Measurement System (SMS) — uses information from roadside inspections to measure a carrier’s safety performance. The higher the ranking, the more likely your business will be targeted for an intervention, which could range from a warning letter to an on-site investigation. And if that investigation finds that you’re not meeting safety regulations, your trucks could be taken off the road completely.

How can you make sure your trucks remain on the road and generating revenue? Part of keeping your company’s ranking as low as possible is making sure that all your vehicles pass roadside inspections with flying colors. Here’s how:

Make the pre-trip inspection process quick and painless for your drivers

Use mobile apps to check, double check, and document all the basics like lights, mirrors, horns and more. Keep in mind that passing inspection is specific to the category of what is being transported. Instruct your drivers to pay special attention to their vehicle’s brakes, tires, and cargo security (as these are some of the leading causes of large truck crashes).

Make documents easy to inspect

Crumpled and incomplete documents that a driver digs out of a messy glove compartment don’t leave a good impression on an inspector. A mobile inspection form gives your drivers access to inspection documents at their fingertips. If an inspector knows the paperwork is organized, he or she will have a better initial impression of your truck overall.

Cooperate

This may seem like common sense, but it’s not always common. The more cooperation the officer receives, the smoother things go. An officer doesn’t have to go through with a full inspection just because he or she pulls a driver over, but does have the right to cite the driver, the company, or both, so attitude pays.

By making it easier for your drivers to pass roadside inspections, you’ll help them get back on the road faster — so you can continue generating revenue.

Want to learn more about meeting safety regulations, passing inspections, and keeping your fleet on the road? Download our new interactive eBook, “4 Ways Mobile Inspection Forms Can Keep Your Trucks on the Road.”

What’s in the interactive eBook?

What you need to know about CSA’s ranking systems
Tips for how to pass roadside inspections
Facts about the true cost of non-compliance
Types of CSA interventions and what triggers them
Quizzes and facts on roadside inspections, safety rankings, and CSA interventions

About GoCanvas

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

Check out even more resources

Improving Your Operations with Field Service Management Software

Whether you have two or 200 employees, your business’ success depends on their hard work. Passionate, motivated team players are the difference between…

Should You Connect Field Service Management Software with QuickBooks?

Field service management software has shown to increase productivity both for employees in the field and operations teams in the office. You may be wondering how field service…

How the Best Field Services Businesses Use Mobile Apps

Mobility and field service: the talk has been happening forever. The idea that real-time information improves customer service and boosts technician productivity is changing…

Connect with an Expert Today.

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

Business Operations | Compliance and Safety | Disaster Preparation

Ready for an OSHA Inspection? Tips to Avoid Violations and Fines

Posted on April 3, 2017October 14, 2024 by Danny Kanev

Ready for an OSHA Inspection? Tips to Avoid Violations and Fines

Ready for an OSHA Inspection Owners of small- and medium-sized business find the prospect of having an Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) inspection scary, especially since the agency is now inspecting businesses from bakeries and liquor stores, to construction companies, tire stores, and performing arts companies.

OSHA doesn’t warn you before they send an inspector, so being prepared is the best way to stay clear of citations and fines — especially since fines increased almost 80% over the past year.

Here’s what to expect and how to prepare your company and staff for an inspection:

Know OSHA’s most-cited hazards — OSHA puts out an annual list of its top 10 most-frequently cited standards. Review it – and think of the areas you should focus on during your internal preparations as they apply to your industry.

Develop safety checklists — OSHA puts out a checklist to help you prepare, but consider it a guide. Inspectors routinely develop their own policies via a “General Duty” clause, and will cite your company for violations of regulations that aren’t written down. Create your own safety inspection checklists specific to your business.

Put an OSHA inspection plan in place — Put a plan in place so that your employees know their roles and responsibilities on inspection day. Assign an inspection team and prepare them in advance with mock questions, and even surprise inspections.

Know what to do on inspection day — OSHA inspections are rarely announced in advance. Knowing what to do when the OSHA inspector actually arrives makes everything run more smoothly. Only offer the inspector documents that he or she specifically asks for, and if you can immediately correct something cited, you should do so.

No matter how well you prepare, OSHA might find something that you need to correct. But with the right preparation, you’ll be less likely to be cited for serious violations that bring large fines. Most importantly, you’ll have a strong system in place to keep your employees safe and free from workplace hazards.

Want more details on prepping your organization for the OSHA inspector? Download our new interactive eBook, 4 Steps to Prepare for OSHA Safety Inspections.

What’s in the interactive eBook?

OSHA’s inspection priorities and a full list of most-cited hazards.
Quizzes and facts on OSHA standards, inspection policies, and fines.
Tips on how to develop safety checklists unique to your business.
Facts on how to use mobile apps to create checklists to help with inspections.
Notes on what your staff should do on inspection day — and after.

How to Prepare for OSHA Safety Inspections

About GoCanvas

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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