When COVID-19 sent people home to work, many businesses discovered how unreliable their processes were. When people were together in the office, there were ad hoc processes helping people get through the day however with that accessibility gone, process problems were badly exposed.
Digital technology, automation, and Artificial Intelligence (AI) are already proving to be critical components of making businesses stronger and more resilient. Integrated systems that provide common standards for data quality help to ensure accurate measurement and reporting of everything from EHS incidents to emissions for ESG reporting. Without an integrated system, data can sit isolated and redundant, which means organizations need to revert to spreadsheets and manual methods of managing data.
However, despite the rapid innovation taking place in digitization, many organizations continue to struggle with implementing the right tools to collect, manage, and report on their data for EHS and ESG requirements.
An EHS culture
Already apparent following the return to workplaces is a heightened cultural awareness of employee health and safety. However, there is more to be done to translate this awareness into engagement and action that drives better worker support and protection.
Better employee engagement is fundamental to uncovering incidents and near-misses faster and more effectively. The question that many companies ask themselves is how they can get frontline employees engaged in the process. This can differ from organization to organization; however, being able to demonstrate that the health and safety initiatives that have been introduced are having an impact is a sound place to start. As a result, many organizations are prioritizing technology and training specifically targeted at improving health and safety processes.
Data is key
To be able to do this, companies must have their data in order. If they don’t, they will be unable to track and measure their health and safety performance effectively, and as such, will not be able to demonstrate to their workers the health and safety practices they have put in place are making a difference. However, many EHS and ESG professionals report feeling overwhelmed and ill-equipped to manage these huge amounts of data.
Research from Intelex, EHS and ESG management software providers, found that of those health and safety professionals who have experienced at least one health and safety incident in the last 12 months, almost half said they were struggling to extract, format, and submit the data they need to deal with the challenge successfully. Other findings identified that:
- 32% said they lack the correct technology to collect and analyze the data needed
- Only 9% report having fully integrated systems
- 62% in EHS are using technology solutions not designed for EHS
- 21% are still using paper for tracking and managing incidents
- 44% don’t have consistent EHS data
- 38% don’t collect the data they need when incidents occur
Promisingly, almost nine out of 10 respondents believe implementing technologies and applications specifically designed for monitoring, managing and reporting health and safety would resolve the majority of their organization’s health and safety issues. This highlights that an integrated system to manage the data-intensive tasks of EHS and ESG is quickly becoming a necessity for any organization that wants to meet regulatory requirements.
Technology solutions
While many leaders might consider these shortcomings to be simple process inefficiencies to be managed by their IT departments, the potential consequences are far more significant than that. When an organization has siloed data resulting from unintegrated systems, they need human specialists to collect and analyze that data manually, which requires significant time and money. This means that AI and other analytical tools do not have the data needed for predictive analytics, and leaders don’t get the information they need to make real-time decisions that could save lives.
The easiest way for companies to improve their safety culture is to implement proven and experienced technological solutions alongside a well-supported internal communications program from senior leaders. Using the right technology enables businesses to access the information they need quickly and efficiently, and to produce accurate and timely reporting.
There are technology applications available that help organizations adapt to a dynamic and demanding future. Through technology, companies can collect and manage the data they need for using predictive analytics to prevent incidents, create standardized reporting and ensure they are embracing sustainable and environmentally responsible methods of doing business. The software applications available at Intelex can help every organization ensure they are supporting their internal and external stakeholders while also providing business value and delivering on financial commitments.
Scott Gaddis is Vice President, Global Practice Leader, Safety and Health, for Intelex. For more information about Intelex’s solutions, visit intelex.com.