Everything You Need to Know About Workplace Safety Programs 

Roots in the Industrial Revolution 

The first move towards what we would recognize today as “workplace safety” began during the Industrial Revolution in Europe. This era saw a massive expansion in industrial and factory-based work in many countries. Before long, workers formed unions to demand better working conditions. Eventually, European governments responded by introducing rudimentary employee safety regulations. 

These first regulations were almost always industry-specific, with little consideration for each other. Some of the most-affected industries at the time were: 

1. Agriculture

Fortunately, advances in science and medicine also introduced new protections, and workers began demanding access to them. For example, our understanding of disease expanded rapidly during this era, leading to better treatments and prevention plans. 

Injuries from farming equipment could be treated with newer, more effective medical techniques. And a better understanding of the dangers posed by agricultural chemicals eventually led to better testing and labeling requirements by the twentieth century. 

2. Mining

Yet another dangerous industry was made even more dangerous by introducing new technology: the steam engine into mining. Child labor had long been used in many industries, including mining. But the introduction of the steam engine allowed mine owners to pump water out of deeper and deeper shafts, driving their workers even further underground. 

Underground engine equipment made deep mines even more dangerous. They introduced vibrations into unstable shafts, spewed poisonous and flammable gases, and dislodged rockslides. 

3. Railroads

Steam engines also led to the invention of rail transport. Early steam engines might have been slower than their modern counterparts, but they were also less stable. As a result, train wrecks and boiler explosions were common causes of injury and death in the early years. 

Despite those early dangers, railroads multiplied in popularity for transporting both people and freight. But eventually, that popularity made rail accidents too common to ignore. So by the end of the nineteenth century, air brakes, automatic couplers, and handholds were nationally-mandated in both the US and the UK. 

4. Manufacturing

The Industrial Revolution moved manufacturing from village workshops onto factory floors. This led to a broad range of safety concerns that were not immediately obvious to workers or factory owners. 

Poor ventilation and close quarters led to the rapid spread of disease among workers. Long hours and cluttered workplaces led to fatigue and many accidents and injuries. Following union strikes, the UK government passed the first manufacturing workplace safety law in 1802—the Health and Morals of Apprentices Act. 

Labor laws appeared around the world 

The organization of labor unions and workplace safety standards picked up after World War 1. The International Labour Organization (ILO) spearheaded this movement for many years. It included representatives from nine countries, including the United States, the UK, Belgium, Cuba, Czechoslovakia, France, Italy, Japan, and Poland. 

The standards pushed by the ILO represented what we would recognize today as the first “modern” labor and safety laws. But by the 1970s, they had become out of date with current health and safety expectations in many western countries. In particular, by the latter half of the twentieth century, it had become evident that industry-by-industry regulation was cumbersome to manage and prone to dangerous inconsistencies. 

Change came quickly in this era, in the US, Canada, and the UK in particular. 

The United States 

The US Federal government formed the Occupational Health and Safety Administration (OSHA) in 1970, tasked with passing, regulating, and maintaining health and safety business standards for the entire country. Notably, OSHA was tasked with managing workplace safety for all workers, regardless of industry. 

Canada 

In 1978 Canada formed its equivalent Federal agency, the Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety (CCOHS). The Canadian government tasked it with pushing for “the advancement of safe and healthy workplaces and preventing work-related injuries, illnesses, and deaths.” 

The United Kingdom 

In 1974, the UK passed the first act in a series of strong workplace safety legislation—the Health and Safety at Work Act (HSWA). This Act lays out the responsibilities of employers for ensuring the safety of their employees and the public. It also sets out the duties individual employees have in maintaining their own and others’ safety. 

The 1990s saw two other significant pieces of workplace safety legislation pass in the UK. The first was the Notification and Marking of Sites Regulations (NAMOS) of 1990. This statute requires companies housing hazardous materials to implement emergency planning measures and notify HSWA and local officials of the quantity and types of materials. 

The second was the Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations of 1999. These statutes expanded and modernized specific regulations of the HSWA. They also required companies to conduct risk assessments of their workplaces and plan response efforts accordingly. 

So what is Workplace Safety today? 

While the Industrial Revolution is far behind us, today, we’re in the midst of the Digital Revolution, which has brought its own set of safety concerns and solutions. Many more people today work at home, on the road, or in hybrid arrangements. New automated smart technology is now also much more pervasive in the workplace. 

Employees in manufacturing, for example, must work alongside fast-moving robots, use a broad range of smart electronic devices, and often work in cramped or isolated conditions. Workplace safety regulations may not yet have caught up with our modern digital workplace, but fortunately, many technical solutions already have. 

Resources 

• The Occupational Health & Safety Administration (OSHA) in the United States 
• The Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety (CCOHS) in Canada 
• The Health & Safety Executive (HSE) in the United Kingdom 
• The Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 (HSWA) 
• Dangerous Substances (Notification and Marking of Sites) Regulations 1990 (NAMOS) 
• Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999 (Management Regulations) 

Mining and Heavy Industry 

Operations in mining and heavy industry often have high safety risks. Smart lockers offer a robust solution for managing critical safety and operational tools. These automated systems provide secure storage and enable efficient tracking and management of essential equipment such as automated stop devices (e-stops), two-way radios, and toolkits. The charging and distribution of Fort wireless e-stops can be effectively monitored through smart lockers. These lockers ensure accountability and prevent unauthorized use by logging usage details like who accessed the device and when. 

Similarly, for two-way radios, which are crucial for communication in sprawling industrial sites, smart lockers secure these devices and often include charging capabilities, ensuring they are always ready for use.

Hospitality and Gaming 

In the hospitality and casino gaming sectors, where guest experience and safety are paramount, smart lockers present an innovative solution for managing critical emergency equipment like panic buttons and Automated External Defibrillators (AEDs). Panic Buttons, provided to staff for emergencies, are a key safety feature in these settings. 

Smart lockers offer a discreet and accessible storage solution, ensuring that these devices are readily available to staff members in various locations throughout the facility. Tracking who accessed the panic button and when an extra layer of security and accountability is added is crucial in fast-response scenarios. 

Similarly, for AEDs, which are essential for responding to cardiac emergencies, smart lockers provide a secure and easily accessible storage solution. They can be strategically placed throughout the facility, ensuring that AEDs are readily available in case of a medical emergency anywhere in your venue.

Education 

the adoption of smart lockers for emergency response in public and private schools has become increasingly relevant. These advanced systems securely manage weapons intended for use by trained security personnel during critical situations. Smart lockers provide a secure, centralized location for storing firearms, less than lethal (LTL) weapons, like tasers and pepper spray canisters, and PPE, accessible only to authorized personnel. 

This controlled access is crucial in educational settings, ensuring that weapons are kept out of reach of unauthorized individuals, particularly students. The lockers are equipped with advanced security features like biometric scanners or RFID badge readers, which restrict access and log detailed information about when and by whom the weapons are accessed. This data is vital for maintaining accountability and adhering to strict safety protocols.

Energy 

The energy sector comprises a range of operations from oil and gas extraction to power generation of many kinds—including hydroelectric and nuclear. No matter which type, facilities in the energy sector have many, many workplace safety considerations. Smart lockers play a crucial role here, offering secure and organized storage for essential assets like harnesses, radios, security equipment, voltage testers, radiation detectors, and panic buttons.

Law Enforcement 

For personal protective gear like bulletproof vests and PPE, smart lockers provide a secure and organized storage environment. These items are critical for officer safety. Smart lockers can be programmed to track the issue and return of these items, ensuring they are always available and in serviceable condition for officers heading into the field. 

Body cameras, now a standard part of law enforcement gear for transparency and accountability, require a storage system that ensures they are charged, functioning, and accessible. Smart lockers can be equipped with charging stations, ensuring these devices are ready for use immediately. Additionally, integrating inventory management systems with smart lockers allows for efficient tracking of these cameras, ensuring each officer has a working device for their shift. 

The secure environment provided by these lockers is often equipped with advanced features like biometric locks and RFID tracking for weapons and ammunition. They ensure that only authorized personnel can access these items. This level of security is crucial in preventing unauthorized access and ensuring that weapons are properly accounted for and maintained. 

Learn More: Ultimate Guide to Law Enforcement Asset Management