In the drilling industry, safety on the job site is paramount, especially for those working in remote locations far from emergency services. While a phone in the hand of an employee can be considered an incident waiting to happen, there are some ways in which technology at your fingertips can actually serve as a lifesaver. 

With the rise of mobile technology, a variety of apps are now available that can significantly enhance job site safety for drillers and other outdoor laborers. These apps offer essential features, from real-time weather alerts to emergency communication tools, ensuring that workers are better prepared to handle the unpredictable conditions they often face. And, while many drilling professionals already know to check the weather and pay attention to natural disaster warnings, some of these apps can also aid in real-time safety decisions and medical emergencies making them well worth the storage it takes up on your mobile device. 

Although there are thousands of apps for every cause, below are 10 of the best The Driller-approved apps for jobsite and worker safety that you should definitely download today!

1. OSHA-NIOSH Heat Safety Tool

• Purpose: Provides real-time heat index and hourly forecasts to help prevent heat-related illnesses.

• Key Features:

• Calculates the heat index based on your location.

• Provides precautionary recommendations.

• Alerts when the heat index reaches dangerous levels.

• Platforms: iOS, Android

2. First Aid by American Red Cross

• Purpose: Offers instant access to information on handling the most common first aid emergencies.

• Key Features:

• Step-by-step instructions for various emergencies.

• Preloaded content is available offline.

• Interactive quizzes to reinforce learning.

• Platforms: iOS, Android

3. Weather Underground

• Purpose: Provides hyper-local weather forecasts, severe weather alerts, and air quality reports.

• Key Features:

• Accurate and customizable weather alerts.

• Air quality index based on local data.

• Radar maps and detailed forecasts.

• Platforms: iOS, Android

4. mySafetyApp

• Purpose: A comprehensive safety management tool for job sites, focusing on risk assessments and incident reporting.

• Key Features:

• Customizable checklists for job site safety.

• Incident reporting with photo documentation.

• Safety check reminders and audit trails.

• Platforms: iOS, Android

5. NOAA Weather Radar Live & Alerts

• Purpose: Provides live weather radar, severe weather alerts, and lightning tracking.

• Key Features:

• Real-time weather radar maps.

• Push notifications for severe weather alerts.

• Lightning tracker and rain alerts.

• Platforms: iOS, Android

6. GasBuddy

• Purpose: Tracks fuel prices and gas station locations, critical for remote sites where refueling options are limited.

• Key Features:

• Updated gas prices.

• Directions to nearest gas stations.

• User-generated data for accurate information.

• Platforms: iOS, Android

7. Zello Walkie Talkie

• Purpose: Enables push-to-talk communication, ideal for teams working in areas with limited cell coverage.

• Key Features:

• Real-time voice communication.

• Works over Wi-Fi and cellular data.

• Supports group channels and one-on-one conversations.

• Platforms: iOS, Android

8. Natural Disaster Monitor

• Purpose: Alerts users of natural disasters such as earthquakes, tsunamis, and floods.

• Key Features:

• Real-time alerts for global natural disasters.

• Map visualizations and detailed reports.

• Historical data for disaster-prone areas.

• Platforms: iOS, Android

9. AirVisual

• Purpose: Provides real-time air quality index and pollution information.

• Key Features:

• Global air quality index with real-time updates.

• Detailed pollutant breakdown and forecast.

• Personalized health recommendations.

• Platforms: iOS, Android

10. bSafe

• Purpose: Personal safety app that can be used in emergencies, offering features like SOS alerts and location sharing.

• Key Features:

• SOS button with live streaming and location sharing.

• Fake call feature to escape from dangerous situations.

• Automatic alerts sent to pre-selected contacts.

• Platforms: iOS, Android

As you begin to look through each of these apps, remember that the main focus should be utilizing these apps for strengthened safety protocols on jobsites each and every day. By integrating these top apps into daily operations, drilling professionals can enhance their preparedness and responsiveness to potential hazards on the job site. 

Whether it’s monitoring weather conditions, ensuring clear communication, or accessing first aid information, these tools are indispensable for maintaining safety in challenging environments. As the drilling industry continues to evolve, leveraging these technologies will be key to protecting workers and improving overall job site safety. Instead of focusing on the negatives of technology on job sites, it’s time we recognize how these handheld devices can actually protect and streamline our team instead.