Real-Time Data Means Real-Time Safety 

The digitisation of a mine’s health and safety function provides enormous benefits, offering enhanced operational efficiencies, while ensuring sustainability and addressing the demand for transparency. In addition, it allows for the automation of processes, thereby minimising downtime and reducing costs. 

It is for these reasons that Saryx Engineering Group has launched a cloud-based solution that provides a transparent, collaborative workflow platform, one that is accessible on any device, from anywhere and at any time. Known as HSEC Online®, the solution was originally designed with the health, safety, environment and community (HSEC) compliance of its own organisation in mind. 

According to Ingrid Osborne, Saryx Engineering co-founder and CEO, it allows for the management of vast amounts of compliance and safety data – fostering collaboration between all relevant stakeholders, thereby improving the overall performance of the mine.  

“As an electronic solution, it is able to centralise all the HSEC documents, which makes it easy to access, update and verify information in real time. Furthermore, it ensures your compliance records are accurate and auditable, in turn promoting transparency and reducing a mine’s risk of non-compliance, while also enabling a chain of accountability for both the mine and the contractor,” she says.  

There are multiple reasons why a digital solution is better than a physical safety file, including the fact that all the information is centralised, making accessibility simple. Furthermore, because it provides automated alerts regarding documents that are set to expire, it improves efficiencies. 

In addition, Osborne notes that it is more cost-effective, as it reduces the resources required from the contractor’s perspective, and enables multiple contractors to be processed through a single resource. 

“Also, it improves accuracy by minimising the human error associated with manual files, while its digital nature means it is highly scalable, as the system can accommodate growing data needs without the physical storage constraints.” 

Ultimately, she says, it improves the entire HSEC process. “We always like to say that if you want real-time safety, you need access to real-time data.” 

Speaking to the obvious security concerns around a digital solution, Osborne notes that Saryx has focused on four key elements in this regard. First is encryption, to secure data during both transmission and storage. Second, access control, which prevents non-authorised users from viewing sensitive information.  

Audit trails are third. These are to track all users for compliance and determine exactly who is using the system, when they are doing so, and whether they are allowed to do so. And last, data retention policies. All of these ensure HSEC Online® is complaint with all relevant international security standards. 

“We have also focused a lot of attention on training and support, offering a dedicated training centre, as well as a 24/7 support desk. In addition, Saryx offers weekly training that affords users the opportunity to focus on specific modules or aspects of the solution,” she says. “We also look at the number of support calls we receive on a specific topic, and develop what we call ‘power hour’ lessons on these topics, helping to train users on these targeted areas, while also reducing the pressure on our call centre.” 

HSEC Online® is a product that delivers intuitive user interfaces, software that is designed to minimise the learning curve, role-based training for administrators, and specific training for both contractors or end-users, says Osborne. 

“I have no doubt that the future of HSEC compliance lies in the digital space. Mines – with their strong focus on safety – want proactive risk management, insight into issues before they escalate, and a way to reduce inefficiencies and human error.  

“HSEC Online® offers them a powerful and connected tool that will significantly boost health and safety in what is a tough and dangerous industry,” she says.