The doors have closed on another fantastic Safety 2025 conference in Orlando. The energy was incredible, and for our SG World USA team, it was a valuable opportunity to connect with hundreds of dedicated safety professionals from across the country.
When you spend three days in conversation with people at the sharp end of workplace safety, you start to see clear patterns emerge. Beyond the buzz of new technology and the excitement of the exhibition hall, two challenges came up time and time again at our booth: the need for reliable, standardized equipment checks and the growing demand for simplified contractor management.
Challenge 1: Standardizing Forklift and Equipment Pre-Use Checks
A common challenge we discussed was the persistent issue of inconsistent, or "pencil-whipped," pre-use equipment inspections. Safety managers are frustrated with checklists that are easily lost, inconsistently completed, or simply ticked without a proper inspection taking place. This lack of a reliable, standardized process creates a huge blind spot for risk and liability.
The desire is clear: leaders want a simple, tangible system that every operator can use in the exact same way, every single time. They need a solution that not only guides the inspection but also provides a clear, visible audit trail to prove it was completed, empowering workers on everything from a forklift inspection checklist to a daily MEWP safety check to identify and report faults before an incident can occur.
Challenge 2: Simplifying Electronic Contractor Management
The second dominant theme was the complexity of managing third-party contractors. For many organizations, the administrative burden of tasks like creating a digital contractor sign-in system, needing software to track contractor qualifications, and issuing a digital permit to work is a significant challenge. While many are looking to move away from inefficient paper logs and spreadsheets, they are wary of overly complex electronic systems.
Bryan Buchanan, Sales Account Manager for SG World USA, saw this first-hand while demonstrating the 5D Contractor Management software at the booth.
"It was fantastic to see the reaction from people when we showed them the 5D software in action. You could almost see the lightbulb go on. They came to us feeling overwhelmed by spreadsheets and binders, but when they saw how a single, intuitive dashboard could handle everything from pre-qualification to sign-out, they understood that effective electronic management doesn't have to be complicated. The feedback was that this was the simple, visual control they'd been looking for."
The overwhelming message was a desire for simplification. Safety professionals are actively seeking intuitive digital platforms that streamline the entire contractor lifecycle without requiring months of training to implement. They want clarity and control, not more complexity.
Our Group CEO, Mark Haase, shared his thoughts after speaking with visitors at the show:
"It was incredibly insightful to speak with so many dedicated professionals at Safety 2025. The message was clear: people aren't looking for more complexity. Whether it's the tangible certainty of a standardized pre-use checklist in a worker's hand, or the real-time clarity of a simplified digital dashboard for contractor management, the goal is the same. It’s about giving teams intuitive tools they will actually use to take control of their environment and make safety a simple, effective part of their daily routine."
The Right Tools for Your Safety & Compliance Challenges
The conversations in Orlando confirmed that every workplace has unique challenges, and a one-size-fits-all approach to safety simply doesn't work. The right solution is the one that fits your workflow, empowers your people, and gives you peace of mind.
If the challenges of standardizing inspections or simplifying contractor management resonate with you, the conversation doesn't have to end here. Our SG World USA team is ready to help you find the right tool for the job.
Contact SG World USA today for a consultation on your safety and compliance systems.
