What Are the Best Workplace Safety Apps?

Last modified on July 21st, 2022

With a quick glance at a cell phone, nearly everyone can quickly name their favorite mobile apps. But did you know that there are also many workplace safety apps available to help employees stay safe while on the job?

The same smartphone, tablet or wearable that connects you with friends all over the world can also be an essential tool to support workplace safety initiatives. Apps like the ones below give company owners, managers, and employees the power to prevent injuries and improve workplace safety measures.

What makes safety apps so effective is that, like your employees, they go everywhere. They also provide specific information in a short amount of time and are designed to be user-friendly. Here are some of the top safety workplace apps that provide safety information whenever and wherever you need it.

Best Workplace Safety Apps for Mobile Phones

OSHA-NIOSH Heat Safety Tool
While many things are within a company’s control, hazardous weather isn’t one of them. That’s why having accurate and up-to-date information on current weather conditions is important.

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and Prevention’s National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) collaborated to develop a Heat Safety Tool app available in English and Spanish.

For outdoor workers trying to keep cool, the app calculates a real-time heat index based on the GPS location and displays a risk level. The app also provides reminders about protective measures workers should take to avoid heat-related illnesses.

These capabilities make the Heat Safety Tool an ideal app for employees navigating hot conditions and managing job-related heat risks.

Available on Android and iOS
Cost: Free

NIOSH Ladder Safety App
In addition to the Heat Safety Tool, NIOSH offers the Ladder Safety App, which the CDC describes as a tool “designed to improve extension and step ladder safety.” For those working in construction, landscaping, or any other job involving ladders, the app provides interactive tools for angle measuring, selection, inspection, proper use and accessories.

What makes this app particularly helpful is the use of illustrations, giving non-English speaking employees an opportunity to follow ladder safety best practices to prevent falls.

Available on Android and iOS
Cost: Free

CPR Tempo App

Developed by an ER nurse and Army Reservist, CPR Tempo provides visual and audio cues to help rescuers time chest compressions during cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR). Following the American Heart Association’s recommendation of 100 compressions per minute during CPR, this configurable app also includes timers for rhythm checks after defibrillator shocking and epinephrine administration.

Available on Android and iOS
Cost: Free

NFPA 70 NEC
The National Fire Protection Association’s (NFPA) National Electrical Code (NEC) is an indispensable tool for electricians and any worker who regularly comes in contact with electricity.

The only challenge? The codebook, which the NFPA refreshes regularly, is hundreds of pages long – not exactly something fits in a pocket. Now all that information, access to NFPA’s online training library are easily accessible within the app.

Available on Android and iOS
Cost: $94 ($29.99 for the 2011 edition)

Chemical Safety Data Sheets (SDS)
The World Health Organization’s (WHO) International Program on Chemical Safety (IPCS) oversees the International Chemical Safety Cards, a collection of more than 1,700 reference sheets with chemical details and handling best practices.

Using the Chemical Safety Data Sheets mobile app, workers are able to quickly:

• Search and view all International Chemical Safety Card (ICSC) materials.
• Bookmark common compounds and view related safety information.
• Filter chemicals by industry and regulatory agency (OSHA, Construction, EPA, other).

Available on iOS
Cost: Free

First Aid: American Red Cross
Having a safe workplace also means being prepared for incidents and accidents that may occur. For those times, the First Aid: American Red Cross app – one of their many free mobile apps – gives instant access to information and instructions on how to handle the most common first aid emergencies like asthma, burns or bleeding, as well as how to prepare for events like a chemical emergency or natural disaster.

Available on Android and iOS
Cost: Free

WorkPose
The WorkPose ergonomics app is especially helpful for workers who spend most of their day in at a desk and for employers wanting to implement an office ergonomics program. This self-guided app promotes wellness, posture, break times, and movement to increase productivity and energy. It walks users through steps to adjust their chair, desk and computer positions to reduce back, arm, shoulder and hand pain while working.

Available on Android and iOS
Cost: $2.99

For more workplace safety tips and tools, head on over to FFVA Mutual’s Safety Toolkit, or watch our Safety Webcasts to see how our Solutionists can transform the way you approach safety at work.