Why Mobile Use at Construction Sites Is a Good Idea?

Why-Mobile-Use-at-Construction-Sites-Is-a-Good-Idea

According to research by Sage, businesses worldwide are spending an average of 120 working days per year on administrative tasks. Hence, it is no surprise that SMEs of all shapes and sizes have started using digital EHS solutions and apps to streamline their workflow related to safety compliance. Mobile use at construction sites has increased because EHS apps have made it easier for auditors to carry out inspections.

In this article, we’ll look into the benefits of using technology on construction sites, what are the must-have features of EHS mobile apps and which is right for your business?

Benefits of Using Smartphone Apps at Construction Sites

These are the benefits of using a smartphone or mobile-based apps at construction sites:

#1. Improved Productivity at Job Sites

EHS software and mobile apps can take productivity at a construction site up a notch or two. With an EHS compliance platform like Pulse, the project managers get all the information on their smartphones. It can save a lot of time as they don’t have to tour the site every day. In addition, since essential documents are available on the EHS cloud server, supervisors can send urgent documentation to executives for approval, even outside of the office.

#2. Fewer Delays and Wait Time

Big construction projects can take years to complete. That’s why they are prone to delays and disruptions due to improper workflow management at the job site. For example, managers can’t approve the start of the next phase of work because they are lagging behind the inspection.

A mobile project management tool can help avoid these unnecessary project delays. All tasks and workflows can be monitored in real-time using the EHS app, and issues can be resolved without wasting valuable time.

#3. Cost-Effective Alternative to Paper Audits

Paper-based audit reports have costly overhead expenses in the long run. In addition, they are prone to damage, and there is no way to find out if the managers or supervisors have accessed documents or whether any action has been taken on them. However, with a mobile app, you can check who accessed the document and when.

EHS mobile apps are comparatively inexpensive compared to paper because you only have to pay a nominal monthly fee for the service. In addition, since they are compatible with almost every smartphone out there, you don’t have to buy employees a separate EHS electronic device.

Must-Have Features in EHS mobile apps

EHS software and apps have countless benefits over the manual audit process. For instance, you can collect EHS data in one place and improve its accountability and analysis. In addition, you can use EHS apps to log information about workplace-related incidents in just a few seconds. Let us discuss some of the best features of EHS software in great detail.

#1. Customizable Checklist Templates

Different types of inspections need different kinds of checklists. EHS mobile apps offer you the flexibility to use checklist templates that are easy to use and fully customizable. You can also create templates by simply dragging and dropping elements.

That is just the tip of the iceberg. There is a lot more you can do with these checklist templates. For example, you can also add logic using conditional statements to make your checklists more dynamic. In addition, with mobile EHS apps, it is easy to share inspection reports with others. Any changes made to the reports will be synched in real-time.

#2. Seamless API Integration

API integration allows you to connect EHS mobile apps with other software and programs. For instance, many companies use Tableau for data visualization purposes. Therefore, you can connect the EHS app with Tableau to create visually appealing reports of the EHS data.

You can also combine your EHS platform with Google Sheets and Google Docs to automate the process of data storage. In addition, EHS apps such as Pulse can take care of seamless data transmission between apps.

#3. Workflow Management

According to a report by Forrester, more than a million knowledge-based jobs will be filled by machine-learning programs and chatbots. In other words, companies are looking to automate workflows to increase efficiency. When it comes to safety inspection, EHS mobile apps help you do just that.

For instance, you can schedule inspections at a later date. The EHS software will automatically send alerts about inspection when the time comes. It allows you to focus on your business and not waste valuable time with menial tasks. You can also collaborate with your team and assign roles to manage inspection-related tasks better.

#4. Actionable Reports

EHS mobile apps can create beautiful and insightful reports that you can easily share with your team. You can also personalize them by adding your company logo and fonts. Furthermore, since all these data reports are stored at a centralized location, it is easier to organize and retrieve them using mobile apps.

A capable EHS platform like Pulse can create reports that are generated automatically at regular intervals. As a result, it allows administrators, supervisors and managers to access data more consistently.

Selecting the Right App for Your Business

Since now we know that an EHS mobile app is a significant investment, it’s time to find the right one. With so many different software in the market, it is crucial to select one that fulfils the needs of your business. Here’s what you need to keep in mind before you start your search for an EHS compliance software:

#1. Identify Your Business Needs

Every construction business is unique – some firms build roads and bridges, while others build real estate and commercial properties. So first, list out your requirements in terms of scheduling, monitoring, planning, compliance, etc. and then find an EHS software that suits you best.

#2. Test Out Different Mobile Apps

Before you make the final decision, it’s best to try out different apps to see whether they can solve your business problems. Most EHS solutions offer a 30 or 60-day free trial that is enough time to try out all the features and get feedback from your employees.

#3. Smartphone vs Tablet

Due to their large screen size, tablets are great for using EHS apps. However, smartphones are helpful for when you are out of the office and want to take a quick look at the projects. The best option is to find EHS solutions that are compatible with both mobile and tablets.

To Sum Up

EHS mobile apps, like Pulse, come with so many features which can make construction firms run their operations more efficiently. You can monitor construction sites in real-time, create digital inspection checklists, and communicate effortlessly with your peers. Register now to try the professional version of Pulse for free.