SafE-Tag mobile: A novel javascript framework for real-time management of unsafe conditions and unsafe acts in SMEs

• Published in: Safety science 2019-12, Vol.120, p.507-516
• Main Authors: Vukicevic, Arso M., Djapan, Marko, Stefanovic, Miladin, Macuzic, Ivan
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Accident prevention; Accidents; Applications programs; Cellular telephones; Cloud computing; Computer applications; Digitization; Electronic devices; Employee benefits; Injury prevention; Java; Management; Mobile computing; Occupational safety; Open-source; Safety; Safety 4.0; Safety management; Time management; Trends; Unsafe acts; Unsafe conditions; Web services
• ISSN: 0925-7535; 1879-1042
• DOI: 10.1016/j.ssci.2019.07.024

•Management of unsafe conditions (UC) and unsafe acts (UA) could prevent accidents.•We propose a novel cloud-based mobile framework for the management of UC/UA reports.•Publically available use case named the SafE-Tag was provided.•Digitalized safety management enables measurement of workers′ contribution to safety.•ICT technologies enable employees to proactively learn and improve safety culture. Nowadays industries have initiative to reduce a number of production injuries and accidents down to zero. This goal could be achieved only through the proactive identification of accident precursors – such as unsafe conditions (UC) and unsafe acts (UA), whose control could prevent occurrence of accidents. At the same time, smartphones (and mobile applications) are taking dominance over PCs, making mobile devices major interface for human interaction with the web. In this term, application of mobile devices in OSH remains to be more exploited and accepted. Takin into account these trends, the present study aims to propose a novel cloud-based mobile framework for the management of UC/UA reports. Compared to previous studies, we considered the recent trends of mobile, cloud and Safety 4.0 in more details – ending up with the solution that is the combo of JavaScript technologies. Additionally, we provided a publically available use case named the SafE-Tag. Particularly, the SafE-Tag was implemented using the React Native for mobile application, Node.js for web-services and Mongo.db NoSQL cloud database. Beside elaborated computational efficiency, these technologies were found as the most optimal in terms of the cost/complexity to develop and/or adapt in an arbitrary SME. It is concluded that the proposed framework brings benefits for both employees and employers through: (1) intuitive and user friendly identification of key safety performance indicators; (2) digitalization and improvement of safety reporting systems; (3) improvement of safety culture; (4) better understanding and measurement of worker’s contribution to safety; and (5) making the technology affordable.