VSL believes that one of the best ways to maintain our high health & safety standards, manage risks and improve performance is to get out on site, interact with the frontline workforce and activities, and, if necessary, record what we find. VSL’s Vigilance app support this and can be used by any staff member, or authorized partner, to quickly record visits and inspections to worksites. The app was specifically designed with frontline supervisors in mind and can easily be used on-the-go, 1-handed and a simple photo interface and a voice memo option. A report can be completed in less than 20 seconds.

The VSL Vigilance app allows the user to login one time and create a simple profile that is saved for future uses (name, location, position etc.). So, for example, if the user is based at one worksite they do not need to re-enter the worksite name each time.

The app can be used in online or offline modes to allow for locations with no connection (e.g. remote, tunnels or inside bridge). Once the user re-connects to the internet they can synchronize any reports.

The app allows the user (the ‘Reporter’) to create reports for: good practice (to share), to report a finding (that needs to be improved), to instruct an urgent stop (if there is a dangerous situation); or to record a visit only. Each option then allows the user to create a simple report that includes a classification of the issue (using VSL’s Health & Safety Basics), add a short description, add photos and add a voice memo (up to 30 seconds). The user can then send the report to pre-defined colleagues for follow-up (e.g. Project-in-Charge) or add other recipients. The report is then filed for the users future reference, in ‘pending’ if follow-up is required. The user can also create draft reports if further information needs to be added or checked before sending out.

The recipients then receive a notification in the app and an email with the report details. They can then take action on these assigned reports and confirm closed-out, or transfer the action to another person. Once an action is closed out the Reporter, and others who were listed, receive notifications to confirm this.
Behind the scenes the app has dashboards that allow managers to keep track of visits, inspections and, in particular, findings and close-out. We can also analyze which type of user is reporting inspections (e.g. Supervisors or Engineers) and what common problems are being identified. This can then help us to take decisions on focus areas for future improvement.

The VSL Vigilance app helps to make us safer, healthier and perform better. It also helps to keep us on site more and out of the office.