How to improve workplace safety using Tool Management software
In the manufacturing industry, the presence of machinery and tooling also means a presence of risks and hazards. This makes safety in the workplace a top priority for these businesses.
Lost Time Injury Frequency Rate (LTIFR), is a key indicator of workplace safety and is used to measure workplace injuries that result in lost work time. It indicates the number of lost-time injuries (LTIs) occurring per million hours worked, providing insight into the frequency of severe incidents that impact employee availability – and ultimately affect productivity and throughput for businesses. LTIFR tends to fluctuate over time and between industries. In the steel industry, for example, this rate increased slightly from 0.65 in 2022 to 0.76 in 2023*, highlighting the need for sustained attention to accident prevention.
Although not commonly a direct cause of accident and industry in manufacturing environments, effective tool management does have a role to play in making production floors safer. Poorly maintained or misused tools can create a risk of accidents, equipment breakdowns and poor work practices. Considering tool management as part of wider safety controls helps manufacturers manage risks, ensure compliance and achieve a safer and more effective working environment.
In this blog we examine the benefits of using tool management software to enhance workplace safety:
- Real time tracking
Tool tracking in real-time is transformative for work safety, particularly in sectors where having the right tool at hand is vital. Traceability technology such as RFID, barcode scanning, QR and GPS enable real-time updates on the location of every tool, eliminating lost or missing tools. This avoids unsafe improvisation and delays when workers need to find replacements. Keeping workstations organized and avoiding bottlenecks is also possible with real-time reporting. Having an unorganized workstation can compromise your workplace safety. Moreover, it also allows you to organize tools, eliminating duplications and errors when more than one team needs the same kit. Tool management systems show tools location and status, thus creating a safer workplace by making it secure, safe and effective.
- Tools access monitoring
As the tool management software limits tool usage to qualified and trained personnel, specialized equipment is used only by authorized users. By having user access controls, you can stop untrained or unauthorized users from logging into tools that require specialized knowledge. This feature will particularly be useful in settings where tools or machinery can be a real safety hazard. When they are not used appropriately these tools can lead to major injuries, accidents or damage to equipment. By recording the use of each tool and improving the culture of accountability, the software makes sure that high-risk equipment is operated only by those who have the training and credentials required. Employer safety is also increased by eliminating human risk and by executing safety protocols – which in turn prevent accidents from being triggered by misuse of tools.
- Safety compliance
You can maintain the safety and legality of your business with tool management that includes tool usage, maintenance, and inspection reports. Tool management software allows you to track the entire life cycle of each tool for OSHA and ISO reporting. Maintaining tools’ maintenance records prevents accidents. As an added benefit, automated safety audits and compliance checks provide instant access to complete reports, which expedite audits. Due to this you can enhance compliance reputation, improve safety, and decrease downtime.
- Automatic tools maintenance notifications
Tools should be correctly maintained to prevent failures that could lead to accidents. Tools management software is able to send notifications when tooling requires servicing or repairs. Through this proactive process, safety hazards are reduced, equipment lives can be extended, and productivity increases. Safety audits, compliance audits, and issues that repeat themselves can be tracked with the software’s scheduled maintenance schedule and audit trail.
- Proactive accident prevention
Using tool management software, you can identify trends – such as tools that repeatedly need a lot of repairs due to improper use or overuse. By gaining this insight, you take preventative action, swap out obsolete equipment, and retrain workers to prevent costly problems. As a result, accidents are prevented, downtime is minimized, and managers are able to spend the right amount of time on tasks. Over time, the data will help you identify trends that will help you tailor safety processes and tool purchasing for a safer, more efficient workplace.
Including tool management software within your workplace safety plan not only helps to reduce safety risks but also creates a culture of responsibility and efficiency – helping to make the workplace safer and more effective for your employees.
Streamline tool management and enhance workplace safety with CRIBWISE
With CRIBWISE tool management software, you can manage and track your tooling intelligently and integrate it with your workplace safety measurements to make your workplace safer.
With CRIBWISE’s real-time tool tracking and access monitoring feature, you can track each tool’s location accurately. You can also control and monitor user access with CRIBWISE to prevent misuse and misplacement. Our robust tool and inventory management software makes safety compliance audits and keeping maintenance schedules easier. Its reporting features help identify risks and prevent accidents caused by obsolete or incorrect equipment.
Seamlessly integrate tooling safety into your manufacturing process and elevate tool management with a digital solution that is specifically engineered for industry. Discover more about our expertise or sign up for a demo.
*Worldsteel.org