Britain's construction sector has long been plagued by vacancies, supply chain uncertainties and escalating costs, all of which have contributed to an environment in which efficiencies must be made in order to remain viable. One area in which efficiencies have traditionally not been sought is health and safety, as safeguarding the well-being of workers has quite rightly been held as an utmost priority and one that is not subject to compromise.

New technology, however, could allow efficiencies to be made in the health and safety sphere without any negative repercussions. Indeed, a rapid evolution of technological advancements looks set to enhance safety while simultaneously increasing productivity in the fit-out sector and allowing construction companies to achieve significant efficiencies across their operations. 

Streamlining health and safety

To date, the benefits of new technologies have been most strongly felt by the fit-out sector, whose need to achieve challenging sustainability goals against a backdrop of hard milestones has pushed it to seek efficiencies in every area of its business, including the previously protected area of health and safety. 

Lessons learnt from this construction industry sector include the need to establish robust processes and health and safety systems prior to implementing new technologies. The workforce must be trained in all aspects of health and safety, and each worker must understand their role and take active measures to protect themselves and others from harm. By embedding a transparent safety culture before implementing new tools and technologies, there is a far greater chance of success.

By supporting workers to achieve their objectives while maintaining a strong focus on health and safety, establishing clear lines of communication, effectively delegating and using health and safety software solutions efficiently, fit-out businesses have seen an improvement in project outcomes, increased adherence to timescales and budget and a reduced incidence of accidents and near misses in the workplace.

Technology that can improve project outcomes

There are two types of health and safety software available to businesses within the construction industry - all-in-one Construction Management Systems and standalone health and safety software. Each option offers a number of advantages to businesses seeking to make efficiencies in this area, though there are some drawbacks which must be fully identified prior to implementation in order to obtain best effect.

1. All-In-One Construction Management Systems.

These systems are designed to deliver a unified approach to data management, streamlining operations across a range of areas, including project management, project scheduling, risk management and health and safety. Businesses that do not already have separate software solutions to satisfy their needs across their project portfolios may see the benefit in implementing such software, however they should be aware that the health and safety elements of these software packages may lack the required depth.

2. Standalone health and safety software.

These comprehensive software packages specialise in all aspects of health and safety, providing businesses with a one-stop-shop from which to manage their safety protocols, define their training needs, perform risk assessments and record incidents. Although the information available is highly detailed, it must not be considered in isolation, and therefore expert support is required to integrate these software packages into an overall project management solution to ensure coherence across all elements of project delivery. 

Whichever solution is selected, businesses must ensure they have appropriate communication tools in place to share health and safety information and updates in real time with all appropriate stakeholders. Providing all team members with the same information at the same time is key to streamlining health and safety processes, communicating valuable information and sharing lessons learnt. 

How health and safety software can help fit-out businesses

Health and safety software, when used correctly, can support strategic decision making as all potential hazards are recorded and shared among team members who are empowered to implement proactive risk mitigation measures, making their workplace safer and increasing productivity. 

The ultimate aim of the software is to create a continuous improvement cycle in which data is captured from the shop floor and used to inform risk mitigation activities. These are communicated in real time to all team members, who then continue to update the software tool as they identify further threats to worker safety or highlight inefficient processes. By continually looking for improvements, a strong safety culture is developed, and as worker feedback is acted upon, they become committed to the process and invested in improving outcomes. 

Although the initial investment in the software and staff training may be significant, it is clear that the benefits will be long-lasting and financially compelling. Investing in health and safety is a way in which construction businesses can enhance their reputation as a responsible employer, attract new members to their workforce, win more contracts, increase their revenue and ultimately enjoy business success.