In the mining sector, occupational health and safety (OHS) is a top priority. Because workers are often exposed to harsh environments and risks, implementing solutions such as digital signage is an essential element in strategies aiming to decrease workplace accidents. This solution helps share information in real time and ensures efficient and quick communications. Here are some ways digital signage can improve OHS in the mining sector.
1. Describe risks and share OHS guidelines
An important strategy to improve OHS in the mining sector is to raise employees’ awareness of hazards on the workplace. For example, in mines, prolonged exposition to high noise levels caused by machinery can cause permanent hearing loss if employees do not wear adequate protective equipment. Digital signage can play an important role by sharing safety guidelines on displays to remind employees of the importance of protecting themselves from these hazards.
2. Communicate upcoming training sessions
Digital signage is the perfect solution to provide information about available training sessions and important information such as the subject, the location, the date, the time and the ways to register. Also, sharing reminders on key takeaways is equally important: by displaying images or short messages at regular intervals, workers can consolidate the lessons they learned, and they are made regularly aware of workplace risks and best practices to follow – which in turn makes it possible for a culture that promotes safety to thrive across the entire company.
3. Share statistical data about workplace accidents
Digital signage ensures the efficient communication of workplace safety data in real time, which helps raise awareness among employees of the mining sector. For instance, you can share the number of days without an accident, months where accidents occurred more frequently, or the number of accidents related to a specific situation. By sharing this information constantly, you help teams feel motivated and eager to improve these results, for example by celebrating a new record of days without an incident. This makes everyone feel more engaged and improves safety in the work environment.
4. Remind workers to stay vigilant
As a communication tool, digital signage makes it possible to quickly edit content on selected displays. These changes are applied in real time and rapidly bring attention on events (such as near misses) while helping ensure employees always stay vigilant. Employees can also be alerted about temporary hazards, for example with messages such as: “Warning: Unstable ground detected near drill site – Avoid this area!”. This responsiveness helps quickly prevent potential accidents.
5. Raise awareness for safety protocols
Sharing OHS best practices is vital to ensure safe working conditions inside mines. Digital signage is an efficient way to inform employees and remind them of best practices to follow. For example, displays could share messages such as: “OHS reminder: Always wear your Personal Protection Equipment (PPE) – Helmet, gloves, safety glasses and boots – in work areas”. By sharing these types of messages frequently and by making them visible, the company ensures that employees stay mindful of vital safety measures. Also, these messages can include practical advice, protocol updates or testimonials from employees who followed OHS guidelines, which will help strengthen the collective safety culture and decrease the risks of accidents.
In a context where the mining industry looks to technological solutions to improve productivity and ensure employee safety, digital signage stands out as an invaluable solution. Adopting this technology helps improve safety practices and strengthens a culture of safety and awareness across teams, which is an essential component to ensure continuity of mining operation in optimal conditions.
