The 12-Second Rule: A New Way Safety Leaders Are Rethinking Software Adoption

At a recent presentation at the Safety Conference in Whistler, Wombat Safety Software emphasized that safety systems only work if people actually use them. The session introduced the "12-Second Rule," a UX benchmark based on the reality that frontline workers disengage from tools that feel slow or confusing. By field-testing designs with real workers and reworking anything that causes hesitation, Wombat showed how simplicity and clarity drive real-world safety results.
WHISTLER, British Columbia - Jan 22, 2026 - Wombat Safety Software took center stage at a recent presentation during a prominent Municipal Safety Conference in the world-renowned ski resort, where safety leaders examined why many digital safety systems struggle with frontline adoption-and how a renewed focus on user experience design is changing that outcome.

During the session, Wombat Safety Software Founder and CEO Ron deBruyne introduced the "12-Second Rule," a user experience design principle built on a simple premise: if a worker cannot quickly and intuitively understand what to do next when using safety software, the system is unlikely to be used consistently in real-world conditions.

"At the end of the day, safety systems only work if people actually use them," deBruyne told attendees. "If a worker has to stop, think, search, or guess what comes next, the system is already creating friction-and friction kills adoption."

User Experience as the Starting Point

Unlike traditional safety platforms that begin with compliance requirements or administrative workflows, Wombat's product development process is rooted in user experience (UX) design. According to deBruyne, UX is treated not as a finishing layer, but as the foundation of the platform.

Early designs are tested directly with field workers in realistic conditions, using interactive prototypes rather than finished software. These tests are designed to observe how workers naturally move through tasks such as reporting hazards, completing inspections, or submitting incident information.

If a worker hesitates, becomes confused, or gets stuck for more than 12 seconds at any point, the design is considered unsuccessful.

"When that happens, we go back to the drawing board," said deBruyne. "We simplify, remove steps, change language, or rethink the flow entirely. We repeat the process until workers move through the task smoothly, without instruction, and without frustration."

Designing for Real Job-Site Conditions

The presentation emphasized that field workers often operate in environments that software designers rarely experience-noise, weather, gloves, limited connectivity, interruptions, and time pressure. In those conditions, even small design obstacles can discourage use.

By repeatedly testing and refining workflows with frontline users, Wombat aims to ensure that its software aligns with how work is actually performed, rather than how it is assumed to be performed from an office setting.

Safety leaders attending the session noted that this approach reflects a broader shift in how organizations are evaluating safety technology-placing greater importance on usability, clarity, and speed of interaction rather than feature density.

Growing Momentum Across North America

The principles discussed in Whistler reflect a wider trend across Canada and the United States, where organizations are rethinking how safety systems are selected and measured. Increasingly, success is being defined by participation, consistency, and quality of data captured at the frontline.

Wombat Safety Software has seen growing adoption across North America, a trend the company attributes to its emphasis on simplicity and field-tested design. Rather than relying on extensive training programs to overcome complexity, the platform is designed so that workers can intuitively complete tasks with minimal guidance.

Industry observers note that this type of UX-led approach aligns with established human-factors and behavioral design research, which shows that reducing cognitive load can significantly improve engagement and accuracy.

Redefining What "Good" Safety Software Looks Like

The discussion concluded with a broader question facing safety leaders today: whether safety software should prioritize what systems can do, or how easily people can actually use them.

"The real test isn't how powerful a system looks in a demo," deBruyne said. "It's whether it fits into the reality of the job site."

About Wombat Safety Software

Wombat Safety Software is a cloud-based safety management platform designed with a strong emphasis on user experience and frontline usability. The platform supports incident reporting, hazard assessments, inspections, training records, and compliance documentation through mobile-friendly interfaces developed and tested with field workers. Wombat Safety Software is used by organizations across Canada and the United States seeking to improve safety participation and operational visibility.

Media Contact:

Ron deBruyne

Founder & CEO

Wombat Safety Software

Email: info@wombat.software [mailto:ron@wombat.software]

Website: www.wombat.software [http://www.wombat.software/]

Media Contact
Company Name: Wombat Software Inc
Contact Person: Ron deBruyne
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Website: https://www.wombat.software/

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