The Power of Computers: Enhancing Safety Professionals' Effectiveness

1. Accident Prevention Manual for Business & Industry: Engineering & Technology 13th edition National Safety Council Compiled by Dr. S.D. Allen Iske, Associate Professor University of Central Missouri

2. CHAPTER 27 THE COMPUTER AS A SAFETY INFORMATION TOOL

3. Computers and Networks • Important tools for safety professionals • Facilitate calculations • Data storage and retrieval • Communication devices • Educational tools • Internet resource for information and search engines for data review or research

4. Computer Use • Users require practice and mastery of applicable skills. • Tools become obsolete with changes to platforms, support and programs. • Options used for collecting, managing, and distributing data require significant time. • New systems require evaluation and assessment. • New tools and friendlier systems are being developed.

5. Electronic Information • Reference tool: access to information resources • Networking tool: use of internet and e-mail connections for communication with colleagues • Marketing and educational tool: distribute information effectively and efficiently to clients. • Information management tool: serves as collecting and sharing information to audiences

6. Internet as a Reference Tool • Changing regulations • New technologies • Collegial exchanges • Communication • Search information tool • Research tool

7. Internet as a Reference Tool (Cont.) • Finding information on the Internet • Web directories • Sites listed for specific subjects • Guide for resources as a starting point • Search engines • Various engines or browsers for various topics • Refine your search—phrasing question or typical journals or publications • Subject-specific indexes—proper set of keywords for topic area • Search strategy—plan and method to research topic

8. Internet as a Reference Tool (Cont.) • Search strategy • Refine the question to specific topic of interest. • Define the Information sought on topic . • formal databases • professional interpretations • informal information • Select keywords for search information. • Decide on website or search engine for search. • Exchange with a technical group on topic. • Confirm the information retrieved from the Internet independently.

9. Internet as a Networking Tool • General considerations • Popular tool • Minimize learning curve from communications with similar interested parties • Low cost method for associations with technical communities • Effort to develop—time, patience, and network connections • Styles of participation • Daily • Selective • Lurking

10. Internet as a Networking Tool (Cont.) • Find discussion groups • Safety E-mail Lists • Asking safety questions • Other safety-related topics with e-mail lists

11. Internet as a Marketing Tool • Open to the general public and not exclusive to safety professional or technical groups • Online training—educational tool • Developing a reference library—procedures, technical information, specific topic related information and strategy documents (policies and plans) • Maintaining awareness—updated routinely with changes, modifications, and new information

12. Internet as a Program Management Tool • Collecting data—technical data with accurate and meaningful data available in a timely manner information • Management system development—overall tool to organize, manage, and evaluate a safety program • Connecting other management information systems—other applicable database data such as maintenance, human resources, financial information, etc.

13. Summary • Enhanced electronic information for safety professionals to research, network, and outreach on technical content and materials. • Power of systems require precise understanding of the safety program’s role and careful planning and strategy for computer hardware and software systems. • Power of systems provide a significant increase in effectiveness of safety professionals to serve clients.