People have a seemingly endless number of mobile apps to choose from – apps to help keep track of tasks or dates, apps to watch movies or read books, apps to shop, apps to play games, etc. But what about apps for workplace safety?

Last week, OSHA announced the winners of its Worker Safety and Health App Challenge, recognizing developers of workplace safety apps. Four developers shared a total of $30,000 in prizes for their designs, which do everything from inform workers of their rights to provide a list of chemicals and their permissible exposure limits.

But just how useful are these tools, in general, and do they have any effect on workplace safety? Some of the apps on my own smartphone are a mix between very helpful (news updates and email) and filler that doesn’t really do anything practical (several games). Are workplace safety apps similar?

I’m curious to learn your thoughts; please let me know in the survey below.

The opinions expressed in "Washington Wire" do not necessarily reflect those of the National Safety Council or affiliated local Chapters.