In our latest installment of Ask the Expert, brought to you by KPA, we hear from Monica Patel, Product Manager at KPA, about using EHS technology effectively.
Technology in environmental, health, and safety (EHS) compliance is an indispensable tool—especially as organizations face increasingly complex regulatory requirements. Leveraging the right technological solutions can help you transform EHS from a compliance burden into a strategic advantage. Today, let’s answer some of the top questions about effective use of EHS technology.
Q: What’s the best way to use technology to improve EHS compliance?
The most effective approach starts with the understanding that technology should serve as an enabler, not a replacement for sound EHS practices.
Integration over isolation: Instead of implementing standalone solutions, look for technologies that integrate with existing business systems. This creates a flow of information across departments, ensuring that EHS is embedded in every decision, instead of being an afterthought.
Mobile-first implementation: Field workers are often the eyes and ears of EHS programs. Equipping them with mobile solutions for real-time incident reporting, hazard identification, and compliance verification dramatically improves data quality and timeliness. The ability to capture photos, videos, and location data enriches reporting and provides crucial context for analysis.
Automation of routine tasks: Compliance calendars, permit tracking, and recurring inspections can all be automated, reducing the administrative burden on EHS professionals and minimizing the risk of missed deadlines or requirements. Automating tasks like these can free up valuable time for more strategic activities that drive safety performance.
Data analytics for predictive insights: Advanced analytics can identify patterns and trends before they result in incidents. Predictive analytics can transform historical EHS data into actionable intelligence, allowing organizations to address emerging risks proactively.
Q: How should companies develop a technology strategy for safety?
A successful EHS technology strategy requires thoughtful planning and alignment with broader organizational objectives:
Start with a clear assessment: Conduct a thorough evaluation of current processes, pain points, and technology gaps to identify areas for improvement. Find the manual processes that could benefit from automation and areas where data collection is insufficient.
Establish clear objectives: Define specific, measurable goals for your technology implementation. These might include reducing incident rates, improving reporting times, enhancing regulatory compliance, or increasing employee engagement in safety programs.
Prioritize based on risk and impact: Not all technology initiatives will deliver equal value. Prioritize investments based on their potential to address significant risks and provide meaningful improvements to EHS performance.
Plan for scalability: Select solutions that can grow with your organization and adapt to changing regulatory requirements. This may mean choosing configurable platforms over highly customized point solutions that may quickly become outdated.
Include change management: Technology implementations often fail not because of the technology itself but because of inadequate attention to the human element. Include robust training, communication, and support in your strategy.
Q: How should companies choose the right EHS software for them?
With plenty of EHS software options available, choosing the right solution requires careful consideration:
Align with organizational needs: Your organization has unique EHS requirements. Ensure that the software you select addresses your compliance needs, operational risks, and reporting requirements.
Emphasize usability: The most sophisticated solution will fail if users find it cumbersome or difficult to navigate. Prioritize intuitive interfaces and workflows that minimize training requirements and encourage adoption.
Evaluate vendor expertise: Look beyond software features to assess the vendor’s industry knowledge and support capabilities. A partner who understands your regulatory landscape and operational challenges will provide more value than one offering generic solutions.
Consider total cost of ownership: Consider implementation costs, ongoing maintenance, updates, customization needs, and internal resource requirements. The cheapest solution initially may prove costly over time.
Verify security and compliance: Ensure the solution meets your organization’s data security requirements and complies with relevant privacy regulations, particularly if you operate in multiple jurisdictions.
Q: How can you get leadership on board with your EHS technology plan?
Gaining executive support for EHS technology investments doesn’t have to be an uphill battle:
Speak the language of business: Frame your proposal in terms of business outcomes rather than technical features. Demonstrate how the technology will support strategic objectives, enhance operational efficiency, protect corporate reputation, and deliver return on investment (ROI).
Quantify benefits: Where possible, attach financial metrics to the anticipated benefits. This might include reduced costs from incidents, improved productivity, lower insurance premiums, or avoided regulatory penalties.
Start small and demonstrate success: Consider implementing a pilot program that can deliver quick wins and tangible results. Use these early successes to build momentum and support for broader implementation.
Benchmark against competitors: Research and present information about how industry peers and competitors are leveraging similar technologies, highlighting the risks of falling behind in EHS performance.
Involve leadership early: Include key decision-makers in the strategy development process rather than presenting them with a finished proposal. This builds ownership and understanding of the challenges the technology aims to address.
By thoughtfully implementing these approaches, organizations can harness technology not just to meet compliance requirements but to transform their EHS programs into drivers of operational excellence and business value.
Monica Patel is a software product manager with a robust foundation in engineering and operations. Her diverse experience across energy, technology and logistics industries underscores her commitment to utilizing technology as a catalyst for resolving intricate challenges and fostering both business and safety success across various domains. Passionate about enhancing operational efficiency and safety standards, Monica helps drive innovation to benefit all users of KPA Flex.