As key decision-makers, managers, and supervisors face an uncertain future, the COVID-19 pandemic has posed significant challenges for organizations across the globe. The scale of the virus’s spread and its impact on national economies has left the formal employment sector struggling, while the unorganized sector, especially in countries like India, has been thrown into chaos.
While planning and communication remain critical in the organized sector, one often overlooked aspect of crisis management—course correction—needs attention. In the midst of uncertainty, it’s important not only to plan but also to anticipate potential outcomes and establish strategies to address them proactively.
Established large and fast-growing economies already rely on contract professionals to support, supervise, and adhere to operational requirements. However, organizations that have not yet embraced outsourcing and resourcing strategies have not missed their chance to catch up.
Skilled and competent professionals, particularly in fields such as occupational safety, health, and industry-specific trades, can play a key role in helping organizations navigate through this global disruption. By leveraging the current lockdown, these professionals can serve as critical resources for future growth, ensuring that organizations are ready to hit the ground running once the crisis subsides.
Let’s explore how professional outsourcing can help build a growth mindset during this downtime.
Audits and Overhaul of Workplace Safety
With physical presence being limited due to lockdowns, accumulated data in the form of SOPs, training manuals, and audit reports should be carefully reviewed. Professional contract workers can act as third-party auditors to strengthen safety systems without disrupting daily operations.
In particular, the new ISO 45001 standard places a strong emphasis on processes as the cornerstone of any resilient system. Hired professionals with international certifications can help you develop improved Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) and Environmental, Health, and Safety (EHS) frameworks for your workforce to follow once normal operations resume.
Additionally, this is an excellent time to engage in digital platforms such as your EHS management software and eLearning portals to enhance organizational learning. By doing so, you improve the workforce’s competency while also ensuring their safety knowledge is aligned with global standards.
Developing a Safety Roadmap and Benchmarking Progress
A common challenge in OHS is bridging the gap between discussing safety and actually implementing effective systems. Now is the ideal time to reassess your safety practices and bring in qualified professionals to help reshape your organization’s safety standards.
Although plant operations may be paused or running at reduced capacity, previously collected data—such as incident/accident rates, training-to-competency delivery ratios, and behavior-based safety awareness programs—can serve as the foundation for a rejuvenated safety roadmap. This data-driven approach will help your organization meet international safety and health benchmarks faster once operations resume.
In addition, a robust safety roadmap will not only improve employee morale but also boost your organization’s reputation, making it easier to attract new business.
Consensus Building and Technology Integration
The Toyota Production System’s concept of “Autonomation” or ‘automation with a human touch’ highlights the importance of detecting, understanding, and eliminating abnormalities that may disrupt operational efficiency. These abnormalities could lead to overproduction or create a misalignment between different units within the organization.
Hiring safety and trade-specific professionals can serve as bridges for your workforce, facilitating fast-tracked learning, competency development, and the demonstration of these skills at the workplace. With the help of digital occupational safety and health platforms, these professionals can engage with both the technical training needs and the soft skills development of your workforce.
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