What is a Health and Safety Software?
A health and safety software is a digital platform that enables teams to establish an effective management system that aims to minimize the risks of injuries and illnesses in workplaces. It streamlines health and safety monitoring procedures by proactively identifying risks, assigning immediate corrective actions, and tracking non-compliance of employees.
Why Use a Health and Safety Software?
Implementing a health and safety management system allows workplaces to effectively perform necessary measures for risk prevention. Here are a few other known benefits of using an H&S software in workplaces:
Comply with industry rules and regulations. Utilizing health and safety management software helps to monitor any industry policy changes and implemen them instantly within the workplace.
Track health and safety progress efficiently. With digital tools, companies can easily track progress in their projects and spot any hindrance in implementing health and safety protocols.
Increases employee satisfaction. When employees see that their safety and well-being are prioritized, this translates into higher employee engagement and satisfaction. According to the Harvard School of Public Health, engaged employees also promote a healthy and safe working culture in the organization.
Results in higher employee productivity. Using digital tools helps minimize human error and aids in performing tasks efficiently. Strict implementation of these practices also prevents workplace illness and injuries, decreasing disruption in productivity.
Improves public image. Lack of safety-related incidents also helps maintain a positive reputation for a company as it shows its commitment to the well-being and safety of its employees.
Implementing an Effective Health and Safety Management System
A successful health and safety management system follows a formal structure of elements. This includes taking into account the following 7 elements:
1. Management involvement and commitment
An organization’s values, vision, and culture is only as strong as the management leading it. To build a safety culture in the workplace, management should be the first people to exhibit a strong commitment to a safe work environment. Management can show their involvement by:
Allocating resources for health and safety initiatives
Setting clear directions and expectations with health and safety policies
Assigning and monitoring health and safety responsibilities
2. Hazard identification and assessment
Hazard identification and risk assessments are done to promote awareness of hazards and risks, identify who is affected, and determine how serious these effects are. Below are a few inspections designed to curb incidents due to workplace hazards.
Risk assessment
Job Safety Analysis (JSA)
Site-specific hazard identifications
3. Hazard control
Hazards identified during inspection and assessment are then controlled through set methods, techniques, procedures, and actions. Hazard controls applied vary depending on hazard type, but they can be any, according to the Hierarchy of Controls.
4. Emergency response
An emergency response plan refers to the methods, techniques, procedures, and actions that an organization has put in place in response to potential emergency situations (e.g., medical emergencies, fires, explosions, etc.)
5. Incident reporting and investigation
Incident reporting and investigation of an incident should be completed at the soonest possible time. Documentation of such incidents are analyzed to identify trends and requirements that will help prevent recurrence of similar or worse incidents in the future.
Implementing and managing health and safety in the organization doesn’t necessarily have to be complicated, costly, and time-consuming. The process can be simplified with a health and safety software that supports the elements discussed above.
