Strategies for Maintaining PSM Compliance (Part 2)

Let’s be honest… you work a lot. Sometimes too much. You do it because you take your job seriously and want it done right. The reality however, is you are stretched thin and on the verge of burnout. The big question then becomes, “How can you accomplish all your regular responsibilities AND maintain a sufficiently compliant PSM program?”

In this series, we will look at three (3) strategies which, if used, can help you streamline workflow and maintain a compliant PSM program. These strategies are Efficient Delegation (Part 1), Using Technology as a Tool (Part 2), and Cost Effective Contractors (Part 3)[1]

Part 2: Using Technology as a Tool

Have you ever said you were going to do something but forgot, and then felt like an idiot? Or has someone told you they would do something, but forgot and then left you wondering what happened?

I am currently looking to have some landscaping done in my front yard. I therefore called a prospective contractor and asked what it would take to schedule a time to get an estimate for the work I wanted done. He was busy at the time and said he would call me back around 2pm to talk details. No return call….

What if instead of relying on his memory (which obviously failed him) to remember to call back a prospective new client, this landscaper took 20 seconds to type a reminder into his smartphone to call me back after we hung up? A simple and quick use of technology could have gained him a new customer!

Many people avoid technology because it seems complicated and they don’t like change. But any technology worth using will simplify your life and work, not complicate it. Technology is best used as a tool, like using a hammer rather than a rock, a fork rather than your hands, or computer controls in your refrigeration system rather than manually turning an expansion valve to regulate temperature in a cold storage room.

If you are in any sort of leadership position which necessitates the management of various ongoing and reoccurring tasks, and you are not currently using a task management program, then may I suggest that now is the time to exert a little extra energy and learn how to use one. Google Calendar (with built in reminders), Google Keep, Wonderlist, and Todoist are some of our favorites.

We at Resource Compliance developed PSMWriter, a suite of web-based apps, to help managers, operators, and people responsible for overseeing PSM tasks easily schedule, track, and document all items necessary for compliance.

If you learn how to use applications like these (and/or others), you can save yourself time, and gain efficiency. For example, if your PSM program requires annual oil analysis on your compressors and you don’t want to forget to schedule a contractor next off season, you can write the email today and use Boomerang to send the email in March.

Technology as a tool, if embraced, can make your life simpler, more efficient, and productive.

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[1] This series is written with the small business in mind. This type of business usually has one or two people who are the “do it all” personnel. In my experience, these employees are committed to the company, often work long hours, and consequently are perpetually on the verge of burnout. At the same time they have a decent amount of influence with ownership and therefore are in a position to help change the company culture.