Do You Copy? How EHS Technology Can Improve Internal Communication

Do You Copy? How EHS Technology Can Improve Internal Communication

A common issue in EHS is the lack of connectivity and communication both within and between teams. Manual EHS processes make it difficult to share this information quickly, which creates asymmetry across the business. This leads to workers being more susceptible to potential incidents, as they are unaware that certain hazards exist and therefore do not implement the corrective measures. Firms have started to break these silos down by implementing digital tools that are connected to their EHS software platforms. There are several reasons why internal communication is important, including emergency planning, safety hazard reporting, accountability and compliance, safety training, and safety culture.

Emergency planning helps firms prepare for unexpected events, ensuring that all departments across the organization are fully aware of proposed strategies. An effective technology to facilitate this is critical event management. CEM solutions draw on a plethora of sources, such as news, social media and weather reports, relaying the information collated back in real time. Moreover, during an event, the technology will track at-risk employees, providing push notifications and two-way calling to reach them quickly.

Frontline workers constantly pick up on hazards and near-miss incidents. It is important that these workers have a channel that enables them to report these incidents, which can be analysed in further detail, helping to identify which workers are at the greatest risk and what safety measures must be implemented to keep them protected. Mobile apps installed on smartphones and tablets can help achieve this. Frontline workers can instantly report on-site observations both online and offline, reaching senior staff in real time. The ease of this workflow will encourage more workers to report near-misses regularly, identifying and mitigating potential hazards before they cause a serious incident.

The regulatory market is constantly changing, with increasingly stringent rules regarding environmental compliance and a growing list of hazardous substances. Failing to comply with regulations can cause hefty penalties and harm to brand's reputation. Therefore, it is important that firms in the relevant industries keep workers up-to-date with any regulatory changes. One popular method for doing so is through online safety data sheets – online databases that provide information regarding chemicals along with any associated hazards, proper handling and storage data, and emergency measures. EHS software vendors have launched partnerships with regulatory content providers, enabling firms to cross-reference their products and ingredients against hazardous substance lists. This helps organizations easily communicate any regulatory changes to their entire workforce.

Safety training can help firms communicate best practices and educate their workers on how these behaviours will keep them protected at work. Traditional safety training would usually be a series of presentations and PowerPoints, which often fail to capture the audience. More interactive solutions and short microlearning videos help keep workers engaged, ensuring they understand the importance of safety and their roles in upholding safety practices.

Ultimately, these communication pathways help foster a safety culture, where workers are aware of the risks they see on site and are not afraid to report them. These notifications can then be analysed in detail by senior staff, who establish strategies that help minimize hazards. To read more about technologies that can improve EHS communication, click here.