Bye-bye spreadsheets and paper checklists. So many organizations embraced this sentiment, and it’s great news for them!

Digital safety management solutions can help organizations improve workplace safety overall, which can help lower compliance and financial risks.

Here are 5 ways EHS software can lighten your load:

1. Consistent data collection

With manual processes, you rely on the person collecting the data manually adding it into a spreadsheet. One overwritten cell or one deleted column can wreak havoc on your data collection efforts. EHS software solutions take care of this upfront, ensuring that you’re consistently collecting the information you need from the get-go.

2. Improved employee buy-in and better safety engagement

These days most employees have a smartphone and are used to looking up stuff on handheld electronics.

Imagine this scenario: You’re onboarding a new employee to your safety procedures.  When they ask where they can access the information in the future, you’re not setting yourself up for success if the answer is, “Find the binder in the front office where we keep the safety checklists.”

It’s inconvenient at best. And worse, it sets the impression that the organization as a whole isn’t fully committed to safety. Managing processes digitally is something today’s consumers expect – and your employees are consumers too.

3. Better outcomes

Businesses can’t escape the fact that OSHA requires companies to collect accident data. And, with that data comes an excellent opportunity for companies to apply analytics to better understand the corrective and preventative actions needed to prevent future incidents and injuries.

It’s cumbersome to dig through paper forms and spreadsheets, and there’s always the possibility of human error as well when diving into data analytics. Instead, imagine logging into a customizable dashboard where you can immediately call up the precise information you need to make an informed decision. Such instantaneous analysis provides an opportunity for organizations to be flexible, and pivot to adapt policies and practices to keep their work teams on the right track.

Here’s an example: Let’s say there have been a lot of mishaps due to mislabeled containers. The old way: sift through data over a period of weeks. Months later, institute new labeling procedures based on your data. But, in a world with immediate access to online information, safety managers get weekly reports to audit this issue, and immediately institute a policy requiring employees to report into the online system any time they see an unlabeled container.

That’s just one example of the difference EHS software can using real-time data to impact outcomes.

4. “Top of your EHS game” performance

With greater, more immediate insight into data, you’re in a better position to anticipate and remedy issues that could be “red flags” if an OSHA or EPA inspector shows up for an audit or inspection. Relying on comprehensive, real-time data to assess trouble spots helps you spot gaps before regulators spot them for you. This can pay dividends in terms of OSHA and EPA penalties.

5. Reduced costs

No one wants to see anyone get hurt on the job. But, accidents happen, and sadly it’s often following a near-miss or series of near misses. EHS software can help businesses spot trouble and correct risky behaviors, equipment defects, and other issues as soon as possible. Removing these risks help companies decrease their incident and accident rates. The result? Saving money, increasing your competitive advantage,  and reducing the risk of costly OSHA and EPA penalties.