Predictive Modelling and the Role it Plays in COVID-19 Safety Prevention on the Workplace

Predictive modelling as a tool helps forecast and prevent incidents on the job site. Most businesses strongly rely on past incidents to develop efficient ways to keep their workforce safe. They learn from the incidents and analyse ways to update their health and safety programs accordingly. There have been major discoveries and updates concerning the novel COVID-19 virus, its prevention, and cure. This idea is reactive rather than predictive in nature hence ignores the relevant proactive steps. This article is a summary of everything you need to know about predictive modelling and its effectiveness in combating COVID-19.

Meaning of Predictive Modeling

This is a process that collects data of past incidents and analyses it to forecast possible future events based on the data. It is usually applied in insurance, healthcare, weather forecasting, and to also predict workplace incidents. Predictive modelling can provide you with a snapshot of the future through the analysis of prior incidents and present-day events in safety. It helps businesses narrow their focus to target newly identified issues hence developing ways to prevent future incidents.

How it Works

The process looks at a variety of variables from the available data, which can be categorized into two main types: lagging or leading indicators. The indicators are the ultimate symptoms of the potential hazards in the workplace. Lagging indicators are indicative of safety problems, making them reactive in nature. These indicators can be the data from incident investigations or the number of workplace COVID-19 incidents. They can help indicate where your safety program is lacking. However, too many lagging indicators could mean having more incidents in your workplace.

Leading indicators, on the other hand, are proactive in nature and refer to the steps that can be taken to prevent future incidents. Unlike lagging indicators, leading indicators can be easily missed, especially if safety officers fail to perform in-depth inspections and overlook some of the underlying issues. These indicators can be safety training and training attendance, buy-in from different levels, safety audits, and committee meetings and attendance. If you’d already obtained the information from the indicators, don’t wait around for other incidents to happen but analyse the information and use it to develop mitigating measures.

Safety Inspection

Safety inspections are critical for the success of your safety program. You need to frequently assess the safety of your workplace in line with the COVID-19 guidelines and directives provided by the government. This will help ensure your workplace is complying with the directives and you’re staying on top of potential problems. For instance, ensure to install barriers for safe distancing in the workplace to help workers and customers keep a safe distance from one another when queueing for services or food. The more the COVID-19 safety inspections performed, the safer the workplace. You’ll also avoid any citations, avoidable fines, and closure of the business for failure to comply.

The Bottom Line

Predictive modelling is essential to identify the areas to focus your attention and predict future safety issues. However, you’ll still need to be proactive to ensure you’re not got off-guard. The process can only help you draw conclusions but you’re the one to implement safety measures to prevent the incidents.