The Compliance Data Paradox

It’s not uncommon for organisations to ask their workforce to record incidents at work. In fact, one of the leading reasons that triggers a move to better safety management software is to reduce the time blackholes and admin burden created through collecting data on incidents, audits, near misses, and training.  

On face value, then intent is good. But in practice, that mountain of data often doesn’t do much to actually prevent accidents or improve safety. This is what we are calling the compliance data paradox: having all the numbers, reports, and dashboards, but still missing the insights that truly make a difference. 

Are you collecting data or seeing the story behind it?

Zero (or low) incident reporting is often celebrated. But is this a true reflection of a safe workplace, or is the data hiding the real story? 

Part of the problem is underreporting. Globally, many workplace incidents never make it into the official numbers. Research from BMC Public Health shows that in the U.S., injuries and illnesses are often underreported because employees fear repercussions, don’t know how to report, or find the process too complicated. These issues are not limited to the U.S. and often leave organisations around the world flying blind, making decisions based on incomplete information. You might think your safety records are accurate, but in reality, you could be missing critical signals. 

Then there’s compliance fatigue. In the UK, a Bitsight report found that only 21% of organisations are planning to prioritise compliance reporting this year, highlighting how many teams are at risk of falling behind on safety oversight and missing critical insights from their own data. Teams are stretched thin, regulations keep changing, and the paperwork never stops. When reporting is a chore rather than a tool, it’s easy for mistakes or oversights to slip through. Suddenly, safety feels like a box-ticking exercise instead of a living, breathing part of the business. 

What are we missing when small incidents go unnoticed?

Every incident offers a chance to learn and make the workplace safer. But you miss that opportunity when small incidents aren’t reported.  

And even when data is collected properly, sheer volume can be overwhelming. Many organisations gather enormous amounts of safety information but don’t analyse it effectively. That’s a lot of effort for very little return. Without actionable insights, trends go unnoticed, risks aren’t mitigated proactively, and opportunities to prevent incidents are lost. 

All of this can create a reactive safety culture. If your data collection is focused purely on compliance, then safety actions often only happen after something goes wrong. This approach is very risky and can be costly. Minor incidents that could have been prevented become major disruptions, affecting morale, productivity, and even your company’s reputation. 

So how do we turn all that data into something that actually helps people stay safe? The answer isn’t just collecting more reports that aren’t used; it starts with using smart systems that centralise your data and make it actionable. 

How could your data work for you instead of against you?

When you decided to dedicate your career to the health and safety of others, you probably didn’t imagine yourself spending hours on a screen, trying to make sense of so many data points on so many systems. Chances are, you’d prefer to be there, on the frontline driving your safety culture with your teams. Sound familiar? 

It was all too familiar for us – and the trigger to build a better way.  

That’s why Donesafe was built to be one place that you can integrate all of your safety information. Incidents, audits, training records, contractor information, everything flows into a single, easy-to-access system. Automated reporting reduces the administrative load, so you can focus on analysing trends and taking preventive action. All the data can all of a sudden make sense more easily. You’re no longer just checking compliance boxes; now your data enables a proactive safety strategy. 

What’s more, the platform makes it easier to capture near misses and smaller incidents that often get overlooked. These “small” reports are where patterns emerge, helping you anticipate bigger risks before they happen. Think of it as turning your compliance paperwork into a predictive safety tool. 

One of the most striking examples of turning safety data into real action comes from McDonald’s.

McDonald’s faced the exact challenges you probably are. They were collecting data and were committed to safety, but keeping track of, and engaging so many staff across so many locations was difficult. They wanted to be sure they were capturing as many incidents as they could, by making it as easy as they could for all workers. And they found the solution with Donesafe.  

Immediately after implementing Donesafe, they saw a 500% increase in incident reporting and achieved 95% employee participation. Staff found it straightforward to log incidents and see that their reports led to real follow-up, which helped build trust and engagement. 

Read McDonalds’ full story or watch the video here

Results that change the way you see safety

Data alone doesn’t improve safety; it’s what you do with it that can. By consolidating your information, reducing reporting friction, and focusing on actionable trends, you can move from a reactive culture to one that prevents incidents before they happen. Your reports stop being a chore and start being a tool for smarter, safer decision-making. 

Discover how to boost employee engagement with safety programs or, if your initiatives keep hitting roadblocks, find out what to do.