EHS management software collates all aspects of a company’s health and safety processes into a single-digitized platform. It offers a macro view of big data to help companies adapt to changing mandated regulations and stay competitive. However, integrating the software into the existing workflow can be challenging.
Set Up a Template
There are a lot of forms and documentation that need to be filled out for environmental, health, and safety management. In a perfect world, these would all be managed by a single system. That’s where EHS software shines. Companies can create templates and workflow automation processes to help handle the different forms required for EHS management. This ensures that the records and documents are kept up to date and that companies always maintain compliance. A good EHS management software will also have a risk assessment app component that allows on-field workers to complete digital risk assessments and record their findings. This information can then be piped back into the system and consolidated for analysis and record-keeping. This helps reduce the time spent on record keeping and allows managers to identify risks quickly so they can take action before it’s too late. Another feature to look for is the ability to monitor trends in EHS issues.
Gather Your Information
In addition to saving time by automating repetitive tasks, EHS software allows businesses to gain insight into the data and trends behind their business practices. It can also reduce costs by lowering workers’ compensation claims, fines, legal fees, and employee turnover. With the right system, on-field employees can report incidents and conduct site audits using digital checklists and inspection forms automatically shared with team members via collaboration. Then, based on the outcome of the audit or inspection, workflows can kick off to address any compliance issues or training needs that may be identified. Most systems also include a repository of regulatory information like OSHA standards and best practices, so essential details about the company’s compliance status are less likely to be overlooked. Some solutions even send automated notifications about upcoming inspections or the expiration of employee certifications so that teams can address the issue promptly. The right solution should be mobile-ready and have a powerful, drag-and-drop interface with Excel-like formulas and conditional logic. Users can independently create and modify forms, documents, and tasks without IT involvement. It should also allow for offline reporting so that users can still access the tools and data they need when they are out of the office. This can reduce the burden of data entry on the operational roles while making the EHS team more effective by allowing them to focus on more proactive measures.
Create a Workflow
A well-planned workflow can help you automate your EHS processes to increase efficiency and improve quality. To start creating your workflow, document the deliverables and tasks involved in each process step. Also, consider the relationship between each step. For example, are there any parallel tasks that can be completed simultaneously or conditional tasks that must be completed before moving on to the next step? Then, determine the logical order of your actions. To do this, use connectors to define the logical order of your processes. Connectors can be either success or failure connectors or both. Success and failure connectors can determine whether a function should move on to the next step or return an exit code indicating it cannot move on. You can also add decision processes to your workflow, which allow you to decide the next step based on specific exit codes from the previous method. Then, using a mobile app, employees can report safety issues and hazards quickly and easily. This helps to foster a culture of bold risk-taking. Additionally, senior management teams can get a quick pulse on organizational performance and identify areas for improvement. This saves them valuable time and resources and boosts overall employee morale.
Customize Your Interface
The next step in integrating EHS software into your workflow is ensuring the solution is accessible to everyone in your organization. This includes leadership, EHS managers, and frontline employees. You should also provide the software is easy to use and has a robust knowledge base for any possible deployment concerns or issues. Finally, it would be best to ensure that the EHS software is scalable. Many businesses spend money on multiple systems that need help to handle growth or are quickly outgrown, which can be costly for the company in the long run. An integrated approach also helps reduce the burden on operational roles, allowing them to focus on more proactive measures. Employees can report incidents, conduct inspections and take action from their mobile devices – even offline. Additionally, managers can quickly see the status of all the issues in their organization.