Making Safety Accessible: A Guide to Providing the Right Tools

In today’s high-hazard industries, safety isn’t just about having policies and procedures—it’s about making safety accessible to everyone in your organization. When frontline workers have the right tools and resources at their fingertips, they’re better equipped to maintain a safe workplace and contribute to a strong safety culture.

This was a vibrant topic of conversation among the safety professionals in our KPA Connect customer community, where industry leaders share their real-world successes and lessons learned.

engaging the frontlines providing tools (1)

An Environmental Compliance & Sustainability Supervisor with a construction supply company advises,

“Keep moving forward even when you feel you’re not making a big impact. Sustainable change comes slow and steady, so be persistent and consistent with your message.”

The Three Pillars of Effective Safety Resources

To create truly effective safety resources, organizations must focus on three fundamental elements that work together to drive engagement and adoption.

Practical Application

Safety resources must be practical and align with day-to-day operations. When tools and processes become burdensome, they’re less likely to be used consistently. The goal is to integrate safety seamlessly into regular workflows, making it a natural part of every task rather than an additional burden.

As Sean Jones, Safety Manager at Hayes Company, explains:

“When I first started with my company, there was a lack of ownership and accountability. So I decided first to get to know each of them individually and then learn and understand their jobs. For me, it was about building the culture and relationship with the employees.”

Accessibility

Tools and resources should be readily available when and where they’re needed. This means providing access through multiple channels, including mobile devices, desktop computers, and physical documentation. The key is ensuring that safety information is available at the point of need, whether that’s on the manufacturing floor, at a construction site, or in a remote location.

Relevance

Generic safety content often falls flat. Resources must be relevant to your specific industry, workplace, and employee roles. Engagement and retention improve significantly when workers can see direct connections between safety materials and their daily tasks.

Join Jade Brainard, KPA’s Senior Director of Product Management, as she shares how to build effective safety engagement throughout your organization. Learn how to leverage modern tools and data to strengthen your safety culture.

Download Live Webinar >

Customizing Safety Content

Creating effective safety content requires a thoughtful approach to customization that considers the specific needs of your industry, facilities, and workforce.

Senior Safety Specialist with a construction company notes,

“Implementation is paramount. If you roll it out poorly, it will be an ineffective strategy.”

Industry-Specific Training Materials

Different industries face unique safety challenges. Construction workers need different training than manufacturing employees or energy sector workers. Your safety content should reflect these differences through:

Industry-specific hazard identification
Relevant case studies and examples
Applicable regulatory requirements
Equipment-specific safety protocols

Site-Specific Documentation

Every facility or worksite has its unique characteristics. Effective safety resources should include:

Facility maps and evacuation routes
Location of safety equipment
Site-specific emergency procedures
Local emergency contact information

Role-Based Resources

Different roles require different safety information. Customize resources based on:

Job-specific hazards and controls
Task-specific procedures
Role-specific responsibilities
Level of authority and decision-making capability

Technology Solutions That Work

Modern technology offers powerful tools for making safety resources more accessible and effective than ever before.

As Chris Gafford, EHS Manager at Ring Energy, shares:

“KPA has been a game changer. Employees are able to do incident reports, inspections, observations, etc. in the field now. They have really bought in.”

Mobile Applications

Mobile technology has revolutionized safety management by:

Enabling real-time reporting
Providing immediate access to safety information
Facilitating quick communication
Supporting photo and video documentation
Allowing offline access to critical resources

Timothy Shaw, Information Success Coordinator at McCumber Well Service, describes their success with mobile solutions:

“Adding our Good Catch program to our Employee Portal app makes it more convenient to submit Good Catches and makes those reports more public as they are now something every employee can view.”

Cloud-Based Systems

Cloud solutions offer significant advantages:

Central repository for safety documentation
Real-time updates and notifications
Consistent access across locations
Automated backup and version control
Simplified sharing and collaboration

Offline Capabilities

Not all work locations have reliable internet connectivity. Effective safety tools should:

Function without constant internet access
Sync automatically when connection is restored
Store critical information locally
Maintain full functionality offline

Integration Strategies

Successfully implementing safety tools requires thoughtful integration with existing systems and processes to ensure widespread adoption.

David Finley, HSE Director at Dolese Bros., emphasizes the importance of employee involvement:

“Don’t try and make too many top-down decisions if you want to see real change and buy in from the organization.”

Connecting Systems

Integration between safety systems and other business tools is crucial for:

Streamlining data flow
Reducing duplicate entry
Ensuring consistent information
Improving accuracy and reliability

Streamlining Processes

Efficient processes encourage consistent use:

Simplified reporting procedures
Automated workflows
Clear approval chains
Intuitive interfaces

Reducing Administrative Burden

Minimize administrative overhead through:

Automated data collection
Digital form completion
Automated report generation
Simplified documentation processes

Measuring Tool Effectiveness and Adoption

Tracking and analyzing the performance and impact of your safety tools is essential to ensuring they deliver value.

As Bill Woods, Director of Safety, Quality and Regulatory Compliance at American Welding & Gas, advises:

“Don’t expect immediate results. Change can be difficult. Document and celebrate the wins to show the positive impacts.”

Track key metrics to ensure your safety tools are making an impact:

Usage rates and patterns
Completion rates for safety tasks
User feedback and satisfaction
Time savings compared to previous methods
Impact on safety indicators

How KPA Helps Companies with Frontline Engagement

KPA provides a comprehensive solution that makes safety accessible and practical for frontline workers. Our platform combines flexible software, award-winning training, and expert consulting services to help organizations:

Maintain a strong safety culture
Lower risk for employees and business
Reduce costs through effective safety management
Enable regulatory compliance
Engage employees through practical, accessible tools

With KPA Flex, organizations get:

A mobile app designed for easy reporting and training in the field
Real-time access to key safety program components
Comprehensive training library with over 1,000 courses
Real-time incident management tools
Asset tracking with QR scanning technology
Access to 70 million safety data sheets, updated automatically
Contractor management capabilities

By providing these tools and resources, KPA helps organizations make safety a natural part of their daily operations, leading to better engagement, stronger safety culture, and improved outcomes.

Request a Demo

Making Safety Accessible: A Guide to Providing the Right Tools and Resources