New from NSC: White paper on managing risks with EHS software and mobile apps

Itasca, IL — A new white paper from the National Safety Council outlines how employers can use environmental, health and safety software and mobile applications to help prevent serious injuries and fatalities on the job.

A product of the NSC Work to Zero initiative, the report builds on the program’s initial 2020 research.

“EHS software and mobile applications are a crucial component of any effective risk management strategy, and advancements in these powerful, comprehensive tools have made it easier for organizations of all sizes to access and analyze lifesaving insights,” said Emily Whitcomb, director of innovation at NSC and the Work to Zero initiative. “In addition to helping leaders select the best program provider, this report demonstrates how to maximize the benefits of EHS software to help organizations further their unique safety goals and, ultimately, create safer outcomes for their workers.”

NSC researchers found that organizations that adopt these modules – instead of using traditional, spreadsheet-based safety tracking – can gain several advantages in preventing workplace injuries and deaths, including generating deeper safety insights, ensuring compliance with regulations, accessing cost-savings and streamlining reporting through mobile technology.

Despite the many benefits of EHS software and mobile apps, barriers to EHS software adoption exist, the council notes, including challenges large enterprises face with customizing their EHS packages and the limited availability of comprehensive EHS software for smaller organizations. In addition, a certain level of technical expertise is needed to operate these platforms, which is why training is necessary or it’s important to select a software provider who offers technical support and resources.

“As with any digital change,” NSC says, “educating across all levels of the organization is a critical step in technology deployment.”