Choosing the right machinery safety management software

As a business that utilises heavy machinery, prioritising safety is paramount.

Addressing the safety challenges associated with a diverse fleet of machinery can be difficult, pushing more and more businesses to turn to safety management software for assistance. In this article, we explore the importance of using safety management software for your machinery and provide some guidance on how to choose the right solution for your business’ needs.

What is machinery safety management software?

Machinery safety management software offer solutions designed to enhance and streamline safety protocols for machinery. Going beyond traditional safety management methods, these platforms provide a centralised hub for safety information, allowing you to take a more proactive and organised approach to your machinery safety.

Why do I need safety management software for my machinery?

Before we outline some of the top reasons you should utilitse safety management software for your machinery, it’s important to note this list is not comprehensive, nor is it representative of all software platforms.

To aid in identifying machinery hazards

Identifying hazards related to your fleet is one of the core components of machinery safety management. Safety management software can assist in identifying potential hazards associated with your machinery. Some platforms provide a systematic approach to hazard analysis, allowing you to mitigate your machinery risks more effectively.

To keep people safe

One of the main objectives of safety management is to protect your people, including workers, machinery operators and those in the vicinity of your work sites. By implementing a software platform that helps you to manage the safety of your fleet, you may create a safer working environment and better safeguard your people.

Legislative compliance

Industries and companies that use machinery in their day to day operations are all subject to a plethora of legislation, standards, regulations and codes of practice. It can be very challenging to keep up to date with all of your legislative requirements and ensure your entire fleet is fully compliant. 

Plant Assessor can assist you with legislative compliance, thanks to its built-in legislative intelligence. By completing a machine-specific risk assessment with Plant Assessor and its Machinery Compliance Engine (MCE), you will know instantly if there are any gaps in your fleet’s compliance and what actions you can take to rectify the issue. To learn more about the MCE and how it identifies hazards and recommends actions based on your unique machine and relevant legislative requirements, check out our article Simplifying the complexity of machinery risk assessments.

Service and maintenance scheduling

Regular maintenance is crucial for machinery reliability and safety. Safety management software platforms can aid in the scheduling of servicing and maintenance to ensure that machinery is checked on time and any damage or faults are identified and fixed promptly. This will help to reduce the risk of equipment failures that could compromise safety. 

Safe document storage

Safety management software can serve as a secure area to store all safety documents related to your fleet. This can include risk assessments, pre start results, safe operating procedures and compliance records. By having a digital document library in your management platform, you and your staff will be able to easily access and retrieve documents whenever and wherever they require.

How do I choose the right machinery safety management software?

Choosing the right machinery safety management software, or any software platform for that matter, is rarely an easy task. However, there are a few steps you can take to ensure you are making the best possible decision for your business, workers and the safety of your machinery.

Understand your company's needs

Before selecting any software platform, it’s critical that you have a full understanding of what your company requires. The first consideration to make surrounds your fleet; how big it is, how diverse it is, the level of risk each machine carries and the industries or environments they work in. Following that, review your staff and their requirements ensuring you have a full understanding of how many people will require access to the software and what software features and functionality they need to do their jobs properly. 

Research options

There are dozens of software platforms available on the market that claim to aid with your machinery safety management needs. To help whittle down the options and discover what’s best for your business, it’s recommended that you spend some time researching. Make sure you consider aspects such as features and functionality, cost, level of support offered, interface, usability and even scalability to help determine which option best suits you.

Discuss with others in the industry

There are plenty of companies out there that are already using software platforms for their machinery safety management and chances are, you know some of them! Engage with these professionals to gather further information about the software platforms you are considering. They may even be able to offer you insights into these products that only hands-on experience can tell you.

Read reviews

Many software platforms have user reviews available for you to view online. These reviews can provide you valuable feedback from those who have used the products. They can allow you to gain a better understanding of the features and interface, as well as any shortfalls the platform may have.

Sign up for trials and demos

Many software providers offer free trials or product demonstrations to showcase their features and functionality. Make sure you take advantage of these opportunities to experience the software’s features, interface and usability first hand before making a final decision.

Is Plant Assessor the right machinery safety management software for your business?

Our team is dedicated to helping you find the right solution for your business’ machinery safety and compliance needs. Contact us on 1300 728 852 or at info@assessor.com.au today, and one of our friendly staff members will work with you to understand your fleet and how Plant Assessor can help you manage your machinery safety and compliance efficiently. 

Disclaimer: This information is intended to provide general information on the subject matter. This is not intended as legal or expert advice for your specific situation. You should seek professional advice before acting or relying on the content of this information.