Key Takeaways
- Hazardous energy is a significant factor that contributes to SIFs. Identifying and controlling hazardous energy is essential for SIF prevention.
- Control-of-work software helps to manage hazardous energy risks through digital isolation plans, digital P&IDs where isolation points are shown, and verification workflows.
- Control-of-work software also gives contractors full access to digital permits and isolation plans, and strengthens coordination with host employees.
The recently released Global Corporate Survey 2025: EHS Budgets, Priorities and Tech Preferences report from independent research firm Verdantix reveals that reducing serious injuries and fatalities (SIFs) is the single most important EHSQ operational goal for the next two years for 42% of survey respondents.
That’s more than twice the number (19%) of those who say their top priority is “implementing programs and technology to develop a firm-wide safety culture.”
Unlike improvements seen in conventional incident rates, such as LTIR and TRIR, the occurrence of SIFs remains stubbornly consistent for many and is even rising in some cases, especially in high-risk industries like oil and gas, mining, chemicals, construction, and industrial manufacturing.
Hazardous energy is a major cause of SIFs
SIF prevention, the need to anticipate potential SIF events, and move away from the traditional total recordable incident rate (TRIR) were major discussion topics at the recent Campbell Institute’s annual forum held at the National Safety Council (NSC) Safety Congress.
Key takeaways from the forum included:
- Present TRIR is not predictive of future TRIR or fatalities.
- Companies with low TRIRs can also have high SIF rates. There is no relationship between lagging indicators, such as the TRIR, and the number of SIFs.
- Identifying high-energy hazards is the first step to anticipating SIFs.
- High-energy hazards are known as STCKY (Stuff That Can Kill You).
- The percentage of high-energy hazards that are under control is a good leading indicator of SIF prevention.
There is broad industry agreement that identifying and controlling hazardous energy is a key element of a SIF prevention strategy. While many factors contribute to SIFs, hazardous energy is one of the most significant.
Control-of-Work software helps manage hazardous energy risks
A comprehensive SIF prevention program includes many elements, including strong leadership commitment, a mature safety culture, well-designed processes, and a relentless focus on risk. Technology is only one component, but when used appropriately, it can significantly improve the effectiveness and reliability of critical safeguards.
With regard to managing hazardous energy risks – one of the most frequent contributors to SIFs – control-of-work (CoW) software provides tangible benefits. Beyond core permit-to-work (PtW) functionality, CoW systems also include isolation management (or lockout/tagout) capabilities. These two components work together to ensure hazardous energy sources are identified and isolated before work begins.
CoW software can be used to create detailed digital isolation plans, view the latest versions of digital Piping and Instrumentation Diagrams (P&IDs) where isolation points are visually marked up, enforce verification steps, and prevent work from being authorized and started until isolations are confirmed. Automated workflows reduce human error risks, drive accountability, and help ensure all hazardous energy sources are controlled to protect workers and assets.
In addition, contractors often face the highest SIF exposure and may be unfamiliar with a host employer’s equipment, processes, or site-specific risks. Bringing them into the same CoW workflows as internal employees and verifying their competence is an important step forward.
By having access to the same digital permits and isolation plans, contractors become aware of required isolations before starting work, reducing potential misunderstandings and human error. This strengthens coordination between host employees and contractors.
Because hazardous energy is one of the most significant causes of SIFs, CoW software should be part of every SIF prevention strategy. Its ability to strengthen isolation practices, improve visibility, and enforce critical steps makes it essential.
How to choose the right CoW software
With so many CoW software providers in the market and multiple capabilities to evaluate, selecting the right solution for your organization can be challenging.
The Smart Innovators: Control of Work Software report from Verdantix can help. It provides a high-level assessment of vendors and their offerings, and compares capabilities across five key assessment criteria: job hazard analysis, PtW, isolation management, simultaneous operations (SIMOPS), and shift management.
For example, in the area of isolation management capability, Wolters Kluwer Enablon achieved an evaluation of “Market-leading and innovative functionality,” which is the highest assessment possible.
Download your complimentary copy of the report to learn more about the key benefits, drivers and innovations shaping the CoW software market, and find the vendor that is the best fit for your organization.