The Role of Technology in Improving Safety Standards in Supply Chains

Modern supply chains are instrumental in the production and distribution of goods. However, as you marvel at the inner workings of these extensive networks, you may not think of the associated safety standards that protect workers, consumers and other relevant stakeholders. Technology has become essential for upholding them and flagging potential violations.

Elevating Fleet Safety

Truck drivers spend many long hours on the road, often driving through the night to ensure products reach their destination on time. Vehicle operators can become drowsy or distracted, making them less attentive to their surroundings. Plus, they may carefully follow all road rules and still get into accidents because drivers near them make mistakes.

Technology can reduce many risks by monitoring drivers’ behaviours, vehicle performance and more.

In February 2024, New York City’s mayor signed an executive order mandating telematics use on fleet vehicles operated by city employees or contractors. That decision requires those supply chain workers to adhere to specific standards.

Part of this initiative involved establishing a command centre to monitor 29,000 city vehicles in real time. Drivers and supervisors receive notifications when the vehicle operator goes 25 miles over the speed limit. Those alerts have caused a 70% reduction in speeding, indicating the telematics tech is already paying off.

Although cities’ needs are sometimes less considered in supply chain discussions, these vehicles travelling through localised networks ensure there is enough salt to distribute before a snowstorm, restock office supplies at government buildings and do many more behind-the-scenes tasks that keep workers productive. However, this fleet tech can also verify that drivers adhere to internal safety standards set by commercial employers.

Amazon has become an extensive adopter of fleet technologies ranging from lane-departure alerts to side-object detectors.

Drivers also have in-vehicle technology that connects them to the company, providing navigation guidance, safety performance summaries, real-time notifications and other pertinent information. In-vehicle cameras installed in vans handling last-mile deliveries have lowered accident rates by 35% since Amazon began using them in 2020.

Reducing Worker Accidents and Injuries

Supply chain employees often work in highly physical roles requiring frequent bending, lifting and reaching. Ongoing training helps them learn and adhere to best practices, and many go through online modules they can complete at convenient times rather than attending in-person classes. Many warehouses, distribution centres, and similar environments have introduced game-like apps that motivate workers by awarding them points for good safety behaviours. Then, following safety standards becomes more enjoyable until staff view them as second nature.

Education can also reinforce standards recommended by federal regulatory bodies, including those related to situational awareness. One such stipulation is that 20 feet is the advised safe distance between workers and power lines. Although most supply chain workers likely won’t be close to them daily, they should still understand the distance to retain for safety. Some may also encounter them when delivering goods to construction sites or during accidents or storms causing downed electrical poles.

Wearables have also become game-changers for reinforcing worker-related supply chain safety standards.

Although the functionality varies by the device type and vendor, these products can monitor things such as a worker’s posture or heart rate. That data can alert managers to potentially unsafe conditions or actions requiring immediate attention.

One brand’s decision-makers deployed wearables to combat musculoskeletal injuries among the most at-risk team members, including supply drivers and material handlers. The solution detects incorrect posture and excessive movements and provides real-time feedback and analytics. This technology rollout enabled a 64% year-over-year reduction in injuries for warehouse workers and drivers.

Improving Consumer Safety

Although many safety standards concern employees, others exist to protect those who purchase and use products that could become harmful if supply chain regulations break down. Maybe you’ve purchased a replacement battery from an outlet other than the official manufacturer and noticed it got unusually hot. Some such instances have resulted in fires, leading local or national officials to advise people only to buy from authorised sources.

Although purchasing from other channels isn’t always dangerous, it can come with additional risks. In the interest of safeguarding their reputations, well-known enterprises establish thorough standards affecting production methods, safety testing, raw materials and more. Off-brand vendors may not hold their workers to such expectations. That’s one reason their merchandise is often significantly less expensive than official versions.

Some tech-based efforts in the electronics supply chain include establishing traceability systems that allow users to verify a component’s origin. Those are primarily for procurement and manufacturing professionals. However, similar consumer-facing alternatives let people track items’ supply chain journeys. Most are currently for luxury or collectable items, but firms could use them for food or medicines, too.

Data analysis can reveal the supply chain trends that put people at risk.

Researchers examined the regulatory framework for infant formulas sold in the United States, which has existed since 1980. Although well-functioning safety standards protect people, some have unintended consequences. That occurred with the infant formula rules, which limited comparable European imports.

The team examined importation trends for 171 countries, finding the United States ranked 147th in the quantity of formula imported. That was one of many factors that have caused shortages and safety shortcomings. Identifying those allows supply chain professionals to work with relevant decision-makers to enact positive change.

Technology Strengthens Supply Chain Safety

These compelling examples show why technology has become valuable for keeping the world’s supply chains and those working in them safer. Well-chosen apps, systems and products can assist entities in meeting or exceeding safety standards and goals. However, leaders should select them to supplement — not replace — traditional safety management and compliance methods.

If you’re considering using them, identify a few well-defined goals and explore technological solutions to support them. Giving employees enough time to adjust to new processes and getting feedback is also important to improve adoption rates and willingness.

Guarantee success in your supply chain with IoSCM. Find out how our qualifications, resources, support and expertise can help you. Call 0800 1422 522 today.