EHS software standardizes and automates program tasks. It combines all the data in one centralized location, eliminating gaps and inconsistencies.
It also saves money. Insurance companies take note of safety records, resulting in lower rates for industrial businesses. And it allows employees to stay safe, boosting company morale.
Reduce Incidents
Using an EHS software platform helps your organization manage proactively and address incidents before they become a costly problem. This translates into fewer workers’ compensation claims, fines, penalties, and lower costs associated with document storage and manual paperwork.
In addition to alerting safety managers to concerning trends, like an uptick in accidents or incidents, the software can provide related data that will allow them to drill down and determine what caused those issues so they can eliminate risky procedures. This prevents future accidents and injuries.
The time saved by automating manual processes and centralizing information will also reduce expenses, including employee overtime. This is a win for your business and employees alike, as they can use the extra hours to take on more meaningful projects that will help keep your company competitive. Additionally, reducing incident rates will also lower your insurance rate. It’s a great way to prove to your insurance provider that you have good management practices and are committed to safety. This will also make your organization more attractive to potential partners and investors.
Reduce Expenses
When EHS data is scattered throughout paper files, spreadsheets, and homegrown databases, finding information and generating meaningful reports takes time. With a sound EHS software system, finding a suitable document only takes seconds, and generating a report only requires minutes. EHS teams and consultants can save hours on administrative tasks that contribute to inefficiency and loss of productivity.
Workers’ compensation costs, lost production, legal fees, and unforeseen regulatory fines are expensive. EHS software lowers these expenses by reducing incidents and injuries in the workplace. Insurance companies will also see that your company is using proactive measures to mitigate risk and will likely offer you a better rate on your policy.
A sound system allows employees to record incidents on-site at the moment of occurrence, conduct digitized audits with mobile devices, and even work offline to ensure nothing goes unreported or lost. This cuts down on incident reporting delays and busy work and enables you to identify a root cause more quickly, leading to corrective or preventive actions that reduce future incidences.
Increase Compliance
EHS software helps you stay compliant by centrally storing and streamlining documents, tasks, permits, and inspections into a single digital platform. This breaks down information silos and makes it easier for people to get the information they need. Additionally, the data gathered by an EHS system can be easily pulled into dashboards for at-a-glance performance visibility.
Moreover, EHS software can reduce time spent on reporting and identifying hazards, saving employees valuable resources that they can use to keep workers safe and address other safety issues. Accessing training and incident reports via mobile devices enables employees to respond quickly to incidents or potential risks.
Finally, it is essential to note that the best way to increase the adoption of an EHS management system is to involve senior leadership. The reassurance that comes from having someone outside of the EHS department champion a new solution can help remove bottlenecks and ensure the buy-in necessary for success. That’s why finding an EHS software provider with a solid executive team is critical.
Increase Visibility
Before EHS software, companies managed their operations using various processes and information often buried in spreadsheets or binders. Those who worked in the field had to report on incidents manually, conduct inspections using paper checklists, and cross-reference company policies and regulatory materials, assuming these were even documented anywhere.
EHS software consolidates all this information into centralized databases and can take things one step further by leveraging mobile devices to capture data directly at the source. Then, it organizes this data into dynamic dashboards that need-to-know personnel can view in real-time. In addition, the system can automate administrative tasks like providing alerts and notifications, following up on assigned tasks, and triggering corrective or preventive actions.
Employees can use mobile apps to report incidents from the spot where they occur quickly, take site audits with digitized checklists, and evaluate risks on the go. This enables them to take fast action in the field and demonstrates that safety is truly a priority for management. This can help to avoid costly, unforeseen compliance fines and reduce lost productivity.
Boost Employee Engagement
Most EHS software systems have features that allow users to track employee training records and safety inspections and stay updated on changing industry regulations. These features make it easier to ensure that the company continuously operates in compliance, helping mitigate costly fines and penalties.
With an EHS system, employees tasked with managing and tracking data will find that finding specific documents will take seconds rather than a journey through dusty filing cabinets or complicated file storage hierarchies. Similarly, generating meaningful reports will take minutes instead of hours spent trying to make sense of spreadsheets.
The bottom line is that a clearer picture of the business, including the health and safety of employees, will boost employee engagement. Those who see that their work connects to the organization’s vision will be more likely to buy into it and want to do their best to help achieve it. This can improve productivity and boost the company’s profit margin. This will, in turn, attract new customers and investors. Ultimately, the goal is to perpetually create a sustainable, thriving, and profitable business.