Improving the Injury Prevention System Based on Convergent Digital Management Technologies to Provide Employees with Personal Protective Equipment

Introduction. The introduction of high-tech equipment and specialized software makes it possible to improve the quality of labor operations without attracting additional labor, which contributes to the rational use of time and resources. As a result of the implementation of this approach, the prevention of possible errors and delays caused by the human factor is achieved. By integrating digital technologies, it is possible not only to simplify management procedures, but also to reduce the level of occupational injuries and incidents by monitoring the compliance with the requirements for the use of personal protective equipment by personnel in real time. This work aims to reduce the level of occupational injuries by improving the micro-trauma prevention system and implementing integrated solutions for accounting for the issuance of personal protective equipment using software tools.

Materials and Methods. The paper examined the existing methods and technologies for accounting and issuing personal protective equipment in order to determine their effectiveness and applicability, taking into account the industry characteristics of enterprises based on the requirements of the legislative and regulatory framework of the Russian Federation. A questionnaire was developed to assess the need to improve the personal protective equipment used among employees of a construction organization in the Belgorod region. The survey of employees was conducted in the form of a checklist, where it was necessary to note the shortcomings and inconsistencies of the occupational health management system (OHMS) in the field of issuing PPE.

Results. The results of analyzing the completed questionnaires from the respondents who participated in the study suggested the importance of transitioning to a digital format for managing and issuing PPE in order to enhance the efficiency and effectiveness of providing employees with necessary personal protective equipment. The patent search conducted revealed the primary flaws in current methods and systems for distributing PPE, addressing which would enhance the reliability of the procedure for equipping personnel with protective equipment, indicating the significance of further research in this field. A model has been developed to improve the system for providing employees of construction companies with personal protective equipment by implementing the StroyKontrol+ software package to automate the accounting and issuance of these resources. This software solution integrated with the existing enterprise information systems and could be customized to meet the specific needs of an organization. The model included the use of monitoring tools to identify the need for replacing personal protective equipment and the creation of accounting documents to help increase safety and protect workers from harmful and dangerous industrial factors.

Discussion and Conclusion. The introduction of the Stroykontrol+ software package has made it possible to reduce the level of micro-trauma among construction workers due to their improper use of PPE, lack of necessary PPE and insufficient knowledge on how to use these tools. In addition, the authors emphasize, it is necessary not only to record applications from employees for certain protective equipment or violations identified, but also to reduce the time response of responsible parties when it comes to replacing defective personal protective equipment. 

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