Safety is the heartbeat of any manufacturing operation. It's not just about following regulations—it's about safeguarding the people who keep the gears turning, ensuring they go home as healthy and whole as when they arrived. For companies operating in high-risk environments, like Idex Corporation, clear and instant communication isn’t a luxury it’s a necessity.

Manufacturing leaders often grapple with a daunting question. How do you create a safer work environment for a deskless, on-the-move workforce while ensuring no message goes unheard?

For Idex Corporation, the answer came in the form of a mobile-first intranet, provided by LumApps. The results? A stunning 23% reduction in safety incidents. Here’s how they made it happen and why it’s a lesson other manufacturers should take to heart.

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The Challenge of Safety in Manufacturing

Idex Corporation operates in some of the most high-stakes conditions imaginable. With employees working in environments where a single oversight could lead to injury or worse, having accessible, clear safety protocols isn’t optional. However, Idex faced several challenges that stymied their efforts to maintain an optimal safety culture:

1. Information Silos: Critical safety updates weren’t reaching every worker, especially those away from desks. Without unified communication channels, employees relied on emails and word-of-mouth—a risky strategy.
2. Delayed Alerts: Receiving timely updates could be the difference between preventing and managing an incident. But with outdated systems, sending out emergency notifications was often slow and inconsistent.
3. Disconnected Workforce: Many employees lacked regular access to computers or emails, making it difficult to stay informed about new safety measures or updates to protocols.

For a company like Idex, these gaps were more than nuisances. They posed real risks to employees’ well-being and impacted compliance with increasingly rigorous safety standards.

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The LumApps Solution: Bridging the Gaps

Recognizing the need for a robust communication tool, Idex turned to LumApps—a modern intranet platform designed to connect deskless workers seamlessly. The transformation began with a focus on core features that would address the unique needs of a manufacturing workforce.

1. Real-Time Alerts for Immediate Action

Imagine this scenario—a machine fails on the assembly line, creating a potential hazard for workers nearby. A quick alert needs to reach them, advising evacuation or cautionary measures. The LumApps intranet made this process instantaneous.

With real-time notifications tailored to the right employees, critical updates were delivered without delay. Whether it was an urgent machine failure alert or a weather-related warning, employees received the information they needed when it mattered most.

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2. Mobile Accessibility for On-the-Go Workers

The manufacturing floor isn’t exactly PC-friendly. Most workers rely on mobile devices during their shifts, making desktop-based systems ineffective for communication. LumApps addressed this by providing a mobile-friendly platform where safety protocols, notifications, and updates were available at employees’ fingertips.

Through the LumApps mobile app, Idex workers could:

• Access updated safety guidelines and checklists anytime, anywhere.
• Receive push notifications for incidents requiring immediate attention.
• Look up equipment manuals and maintenance logs instantly.

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3. Role-Based Dashboards for Tailored Information

Every manufacturing role has unique safety requirements. From operators managing heavy machinery to engineers working with hazardous chemicals, generic one-size-fits-all updates simply don’t work. LumApps solved this by introducing role-based dashboards tailored to each employee’s specific responsibilities.

This personalization ensured that workers only received relevant information—such as new protocols, training material, or shift-specific alerts—cutting through the noise and improving engagement.

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4. Streamlined Collaboration and Knowledge Sharing

Safety is a team effort. The LumApps intranet fostered collaboration through forums and chat tools where employees could share observations, near-miss reports, and improvement ideas. This not only enhanced collective awareness but also encouraged a proactive safety culture.

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5. Enhanced Safety Training with Mobile Accessibility

LumApps intranet now includes employee learning directly in the intranet, making employee training and upskilling seamless and engaging. With gamified, personalized learning paths, employees can tackle new skills at their own pace and on any device—whether they're at their desk or on the go.

The impact? Sharper productivity, enhanced engagement, and significant savings on training costs. By eliminating the need for external, clunky platforms, LumApps streamlines the learning experience, creating measurable ROI that's felt across your organization.

By empowering workers with knowledge at their fingertips, LumApps reinforces a culture of continuous learning but also fosters safer work environments through informed decision-making and quick access to training resources when needed.

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The Measurable Impact

The results were undeniable. Within two years of adopting the LumApps platform, Idex saw a 23% reduction in safety incidents. This wasn’t just a number on a report—it represented real lives safeguarded and a stronger culture of care.

Here’s what made the difference:

• Faster Decisions: Real-time data enabled quicker emergency responses, minimizing risks.
• Improved Training: Bite-sized, accessible safety modules boosted compliance with protocols.
• Higher Engagement: The personalized approach ensured employees felt informed and involved.

And the ripple effects went beyond safety. The enhanced communication system translated to improved operational efficiency, reduced downtime caused by incidents, and even stronger regulatory compliance scores.

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Lessons for the Manufacturing Industry

Idex Corporation’s story showcases the potential of modern tools to revolutionize workplace safety. Here are actionable takeaways for manufacturing companies:

1. Prioritize Real-Time Communication

Manufacturing environments demand immediacy. Equip your workforce with tools that can send out emergency alerts or protocol updates instantly. Time saved can mean lives saved.

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2. Go Mobile-First

If large portions of your workforce are deskless, ensure they have mobile access to critical safety information. An intuitive, app-based intranet can bridge the communication gap effectively.

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3. Tailor Communication

Not all employees need the same updates. Use segmentation and role-based dashboards to deliver targeted messages that workers can act on.

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4. Foster a Safety-First Culture

Technology is just a tool its power lies in how it’s used. Encourage employees to share safety insights and engage with the platform. A collaborative approach builds trust and drives compliance.

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5. Measure and Refine

Track incidents, engagement rates, and feedback to evaluate your intranet’s impact. Use these insights to iterate and improve your safety communication strategy.

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A Safer Future Starts Today

For manufacturing leaders, the question is no longer if an intranet can transform safety—it’s how soon you’ll adopt one. The evidence is clear from Idex’s experience. A future-ready intranet doesn’t just enhance communication—it saves lives, drives productivity, and strengthens company culture.

Imagine a workplace where every team member feels connected, informed, and empowered to stay safe. That’s the future LumApps delivers. If safety is a priority for your organization, now’s the time to take that critical step forward.

Looking to start your transformation? Explore how an intranet built for manufacturing can help your workforce thrive.

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