83% of Operational Workplaces Restrict the Use of Mobile Devices

Are Australian resources companies slow to adopt new technologies that can keep employees safe?

Research presented this week at the Safety Institute of Australia Perth Safety Conference seems to indicate that the answer is ‘yes’.

Perth-based company Synaptor conducted the survey after hearing from many companies in the Australian resources sector that “Mobile phones are not allowed on our sites.”

“We wanted to understand why so many companies have banned mobile devices on their sites. It turns out that they have some very legitimate concerns,” explained Synaptor Managing Director, Justin Strharsky. “For example, they worry about the security of their data and the possibility that devices could trigger an explosion.”

However Strharsky emphasises that solutions exist to address such concerns.“Many companies are simply unaware that there are tools which can encrypt their data. There are also intrinsically safe mobile devices available.”

Strharsky believes new tools offer compelling reasons to use mobile devices in the workplace: “With typical paper-based systems, it can take up to three weeks to learn about the hazards people are observing in the field. With a mobile and cloud-based solution, we cut that time to mere seconds.”

The detailed results of the survey can be downloaded here.