Learn why that’s a problem (and how to improve yours)

First things first. While this statistic from the GERI 2024 report may look confronting, it’s no wonder many EHS programs haven’t yet met their full potential. 

EHS management is complex and traditionally involves endless admin tasks, and your time as a safety professional or operations manager can often be consumed in manual data entry, a heap of paperwork, and wrestling different data sets. Add to that multiple people and departments, operating different safety software in different ways and you’ve got a recipe for reactivity and inefficiency.

Like any recipe, the simpler the better and when you choose the right ingredients you’ll end up with something that everyone loves. Your EHS systems are no different. By removing unnecessary steps and simplifying your approach you’ll remove stress, improve efficiencies and create the optimal environment for better safety outcomes. 

Low EHS Maturity leads to higher incident rates

The 2024 Global EHS Readiness Report unveiled a stark difference in maturity levels in EHS programs across the globe. By recording and analysing the responses of 1000+ EHS leaders across 10 key EHS components, it was found that only 3% of surveyed organisations were at the peak level of EHS maturity. The report also identified that the majority, about 67%, work in the ‘operational’ phase, characterised by compliance-centricity and reactive responses to safety. 

Why do these numbers matter? They are key indicators into an organisation’s ability to keep their workers and company safe while operating efficiently. To break it down further, lower EHS maturity often translates to reactive safety measures, higher incident rates, and lapsed compliance, which can impact an organisation’s bottom line and reputation. 

On the other hand, organisations with high EHS maturity report less accidents (and less downtime as a result) in addition to better resource allocation. 

EHS Maturity Curve:

How to improve your EHS maturity

It’s simple. Increase integration to increase maturity. 

The 2024 Global EHS Readiness Report highlights an obvious correlation – organisations with integrated EHS systems consistently achieve higher maturity scores. This is largely due to the streamlined workflows, increased adoption, and holistic view of your EHS program and data that a unified system enables. By connecting everything from incident reporting to compliance tracking you’ll always have access to up-to-date data so you can make informed, accurate decisions.

In addition to ease of use and better data, an integrated EHS system will move your EHS program from being reactive to proactive. You’ll be able to anticipate and mitigate risks before they escalate into incidents and align safety initiatives with business objectives. The end result is what we all strive for – a safer workplace with an embedded safety culture.

In the below video, Andrew Milroy, Vice President and Head of Research for Focus Network, explores just some of the findings of the landmark GERI research. He cites the importance of shifting from a siloed, compliance-centric approach, to a holistic, risk-minimization approach in order to progress EHS program maturity. 

 

 

 

The real power of an integrated EHS system

An integrated EHS system goes beyond compliance. 

By dramatically reducing the burden of EHS administration and automating manual workflows, not only will your risk of compliance lapses reduce but your response to incidents will increase. 

For instance, an incident report that used to take hours of manual input can now be done in a few clicks. This saves time and human error and enables instant, accurate reporting with an audit-ready trail. When a safety incident occurs, the integrated system can instantly and automatically trigger a series of actions, from alerting relevant personnel to initiating a standardised response protocol.

In terms of data cohesion, insights and reporting, an integrated EHS system can streamline your current processes. Information can flow seamlessly across functions and remove unnecessary double-handling. Just completed a safety audit? With an integrated system this would automatically update compliance records in real-time. Compared to the traditional way of entering the same data in multiple places, it saves time and increases accuracy which in turn increases EHS efficiency. 

Risk and Error – reduce both with a mature EHS program

Reducing risk and error are critical to keeping your workforce safe. By increasing your maturity with an integrated EHS system you will significantly lower the risk of safety oversights. 

When all safety protocols and procedures are combined into a single, streamlined system, you’ll ensure that safety measures are consistently applied across the organisation, leaving little room for error. This is particularly crucial in industries where strict safety standards and failure to comply can have serious consequences.

These systems serve as a protective barrier for both your people and your company assets. By offering tools to identify hazards and assess risks they empower proactive risk management, preventing accidents and providing the safest workplace.

Improved Decision-Making

Protecting your workers and your organisation relies on making the right decisions, fast. And this is dependent on access to relevant data when you need it. 

Disjointed EHS systems can hinder access to data, and weeks can be wasted pulling together reports and making sense of the information from each. An integrated EHS system resolves this issue. 

By keeping all of your safety data all in one place, you can access comprehensive analytics that provide a clear picture of your organisation’s safety performance, spot trends, and precisely focus on any problem areas. With access to real time reports you can gain accurate insights and apply improvements to your safety program as soon as you need to. 

How can you achieve EHS Integration?

When talking about EHS systems, it’s easy to jump straight into the software solution you currently have and look for improvements. However, one of the biggest challenges is driving adoption and engagement with your workers – so your best starting point is an audit of your current EHS processes and tools. 

Below are some items to review:

• How are people currently using your systems?
• Are you using digital solutions, paper, spreadsheets or a combination?
• What tasks rely on manual input/double handling of data?
• What tasks take the longest to complete?
• What delays exist/are imposed for data input (eg. a driver has to wait to return to the depot to log an incident)
• How many different systems do we have in place?
• How many of these systems are siloed or difficult to integrate?

By reviewing your overall EHS processes and systems, you will identify areas where you can improve efficiencies and enhance safety. You’ll also clearly see the shortfalls of multiple systems and the risks they can create. 

While it may look overwhelming, the great news is that fixing your systems and increasing your EHS maturity is simpler than it looks. And it starts with choosing and investing in a unified, integrated EHS management system that’s simple, scalable, and user friendly. 

Donesafe can help you get it done

HSI Donesafe is a comprehensive, unified EHS Platform designed to streamline and integrate all environmental, health, and safety management aspects. It addresses all of the complexities of an EHS program, while enabling simple and stress-free management:

• Automated Compliance Tracking: Stay compliant, simply. The system alerts you to actions you need to take to remain compliant.
  
• Incident Management System: Efficiently records, tracks, and analyses safety incidents.
• Risk Assessment Tools: Proactively identify and mitigate workplace hazards.
• Data Analytics: Real-time data analysis empowering real-time insights.
• Customisable Dashboards: The system adapts to you. Customise your dashboards that make sense to you and your organisation.
• Mobile Accessibility: No more delays or missed reporting. Access EHS functions anytime, anywhere.

Donesafe solves the everyday challenges of EHS integration, such as:

• Silo Breakdown: It links disparate systems, ensuring seamless data flow and communication between departments.
• User Engagement: The intuitive design and user-friendly interfaces increase employee engagement in EHS processes.
• Scalability: The platform adapts to the evolving needs of growing businesses, making it suitable for organisations of all sizes.

Donesafe’s complete, all-in-one cloud based EHS system can help you progress your EHS maturity. With flexible options, you can implement what you need now and with the peace of mind that you won’t outgrow the platform. From out-of-the-box best practice modules, to fully configurable solutions, all backed by a world class team of experts, you’re never alone.

So when you’re ready to explore how the right software can support your EHS program we’ll be ready to help.