How can you bring an Integrated Management System (IMS) to life (?), enabling higher performance and preventing Serious Injuries and Fatalities (SIF).
Automating an effective Integrated Management System (IMS) creates efficiencies, supports frontline operations and affords cost savings. This often involves integrating various Health, Safety, Environment, Quality (HSEQ) business and operational processes into one system with unified objectives.
“Increasingly, we are observing organisations that combine simple Integrated Management Systems (IMS) with smart technology – not only to simplify systems, but focusing on the ‘critical few’ - critical controls that precent fatal and catastrophic events - that have the biggest impact. In short, to simplify systems and replace paperwork with smart technology to focus on high energy hazards” says Mark Wright, Managing Director of health and safety advisory firm FEFO Consulting.
“Conversely, time and productivity pressures can lead to risky behaviours like rushing and taking shortcuts. Organizations can also be distracted with Low Severity Injuries (LSI) rather than applying an IMS to focus on SIF.”
Understanding Industry Challenges
We know construction is inherently high-risk, given the nature of site activity and operational uncertainties. Take Australia that saw 31 workplace construction fatalities in 2023. Sadly, workplace fatalities in the construction industry have continued in the 2024 and remain a real workplace and societal challenge.
Added to operational issues are materials and labour-related economic pressures. The Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC) insolvency statistics show 7,742 companies collapsed during the nine month period to March 2024 — a 36% spike on the same period a year before. Almost 30% of these companies (2,142) were from construction.
High-risk operational environments and economic pressures is often a toxic combination. Therefore, focusing on the ‘critical few’ is essential.
A recent study by the Construction Safety Research Alliance (CSRA) in Canada titled “The Things That Hurt People Are Not the Same as the Things That Kill People” highlights the importance of focusing on the critical few.
The paper, released in June 2024, also provides an explanation of two key factors when differentiating LSIs from SIFs:
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Direct Controls Absent
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Work Plans Absent or Not Followed
Why are these factors relevant to an IMS?
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Absent Direct Controls: An effective IMS seamlessly supports the identification and verification of critical controls (i.e. the critical few) that directly prevent fatal and catastrophic events. An effective IMS also embeds direct critical controls into operational activity rather than ‘tacking on’ HSEQ controls as an afterthought.
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Unfollowed or Absent Work Plans: Mature organizations also map important critical control touch points throughout the IMS and operational practices. The enables effective work planning and implementation to avoid intended or unintended errors.
Automating your IMS with HammerTech
HammerTech’s safety intelligence software platform helps streamline processes, centralize data, ensure compliance and manage risks. It does this by enabling seamless integration and replacing manual paperwork.
“Integrated Management Systems, by definition, are integrated and have common ‘systemic‘ elements, and link relevant operational critical controls,” says Mark.
Not All Software is Created Equal
Not every safety app or software can adequately support a comprehensive IMS system.
Mark’s top three technology capability tips to effectively automate your IMS are:
Centralized Data ManagementA centralized platform with one source of truth enables integration of information across HSEQ, business and operational disciplines, with seamless workflows and work planning, i.e. addresses the above-mentioned solution to providing direct controls and work planning to prevent Serious Injuries and Fatalities (SiF).
HammerTech provides top tier platform integrations – from linking registers, forms and other tools, to infield activity and management reporting e.g. Safe Work Method Statements and inspection activity.
Open APIOpen application programming (API) interfaces provide out-of-the-box integrations to improve data accuracy, lower software costs, and save time. This provides flexibility and seamless integration with other forms of business technology.
HammerTech's open API is critical for construction businesses who operate in an agile project environment, Joint Ventures (JV), consortiums or Public Private Partnerships (PPP), where there are multiple stakeholders and several information sources.
AssuranceThe collection, analysis and reporting of real-time data from various sources and departments in a consolidated integrated form ensures critical controls are not just place but are effective. HammerTech enables businesses to integrate critical controls into operational activity, with the platform providing a greater level of visibility, governance and assurance.
About FEFO
FEFO Consulting is a purpose-driven risk, health & safety advisory firm committed to helping others strive for excellence and prevent harm. The FEFO team have a combined depth and breadth of experience over 100+ years and 20 countries, e.g. strategy, leadership, critical risk, contractors safety, safety in design and psychosocial factors.
For more information, visit fefo.com.au
