Continuing the latest trend in the Safety and Health industry, the Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) has begun implementing a mobile application for their inspectors to begin using across the country. The software replaces an 18-year-old system that required mine inspectors to carry bulky laptops, cameras, reference material, and documentation from previous mine examinations. The new Mobile system integrates all of these features into one application to provide the latest technologies that securely store and transfer data, while improving ease of use. This comes almost simultaneously with OSHA beginning to enforce its electronic submission program that will require employers to submit their safety data electronically this July.

While MSHA and OSHA are implementing separate systems, it certainly indicates a trend toward digitizing these common processes. “Enabling mine inspectors to work more efficiently means more time to focus on the health and safety of America’s miners,” said MSHA Assistant Secretary David G. Zatezalo. “MSHA’s Mobile IAS is expected to improve the quality of information by eliminating redundancy, and provide more timely information for inspectors.”

With the governing agencies making the switch, it is only a matter of time until we see a similar shift in the employers that these agencies regulate. As it stands now, many companies still use paper-base processes that slow down work flow and can often lead to issues in the workplace. It’s no secret that using inspection and safety reporting software can save employers money and improve safety, that’s why MSHA is making the switch.