Amey develops a mobile point of work risk assessment app

17 Dec 2021

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Amey’s Rail business has this month completed its 200^th electronic Point of Work Risk Assessment, using its new in-house developed ePoWRA mobile app.

The mobile app, which was developed by Amey’s Rail team and Amey Consulting enables the workforce to record site hazards and control measures digitally. The app replaces paperwork that traditionally is completed by hand and empowers teams to assess the site conditions prior to commencing work, giving Amey’s people the capability to electronically record whether all the necessary controls are in place in a simple format.

The app was designed in collaboration with Amey’s frontline teams as a way to improve the way risk assessments are carried out. It also aligns to Amey’s Zero Code HSEQ principles that empowers people to be responsible for their health and safety. It is currently being used by the East Midlands route team and supply chain representatives across the Rail business.

Simon Fowler, Amey’s Account Director for Rail said “We now have a user-friendly app, that we can update over time by using our in-house software developers. Since the launch of ePoWRA earlier this year, we have seen it simplify the vital process of recording emerging hazards, by using a mobile phone or tablet. It also plays an important part in how we develop our people while also supporting the development of our supply chain, as it allows us to provide real time feedback to our supervisors on their risk assessments, helping to keep our people safe.”

Mark McGregor, a Civils Supervisor at Amey for Rail, said: “Taking a photo of hazards is a great idea. Prior to works, I get the team involved, walking them round the work area, identifying hazards as a team. It encourages the workforce to engage more in identifying hazards and issues. I also like the feature where we can use the app to translate the identified hazards and controls into other languages. This is really useful for members of my team whose first language is not English.”

Amey Rail have partnered with what3words to allow the user to record the position of hazards more easily. Every three-metre square has been given a unique combination of three words: a what3words address. For example, the exact location of Amey’s HQ in London can be found at ///firm.arch.dips. This provides an invaluable source of information when planning future works.

Feedback received from the frontline team who are using the app has been really positive.  It is estimated that using the app will save 10,000 pages of paper being printed per year, not only a cost saving but a positive impact on the environment, as we look to move to paperless technology in areas across the Rail business.

The app is currently being looked at to see where else in the business it can be used to the same effect.

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