Environment, Health, and Safety (EHS) software help businesses manage regulatory compliances relevant to their business processes. For example, OSHA and EPA are two government regulatory bodies that create laws, regulations, and guidelines that businesses must adhere to avoid lawsuits and penalties. 

EHS software allows companies to have a bird’ eye view of the risks associated with their organization and provides practical solutions to reduce them.

6 Must-Have Features in EHS Software

Are you planning to invest in EHS software for your business? If you own a small or a medium-sized business, you don’t need to spend a fortune on an expensive EHS solution. A simple, easy-to-use EHS platform will have all the necessary features to get the job done. Here are six essential features that you should look for in an EHS platform:

1. Workflow Automation

When dealing with regulatory compliance, it is important to have a proper workflow to ensure that safety inspections happen at a specific date and time. Workflow automation gives you the ability to create and optimize workflows, remove redundant tasks and achieve greater efficiency. 

A reliable EHS software will allow supervisors and managers to:

• Create and manage custom workflows
• Automate repetitive processes
• Create and assign tasks to respective teams
• Move tasks from one stage to another
• Add and manage team members and assign roles.

This feature keeps everyone involved with the EHS compliance up-to-date. In addition, the administrator can prioritize tasks and divide them into sub-tasks for easy visualization of the workflow.

2. API Integration

In today’s technology-driven age, businesses use different software and applications (other than EHS solutions) to optimize their operations. It could be employee monitoring software or customer relationship management (CRM) systems. Application programming interface (API) integration connects two or more applications and allows those systems to exchange data. It not only keeps the data in sync but also increases productivity within the organization.

That is why it is crucial to look for EHS software with an API integration feature. You can connect it with tools like Tableau, Google Docs, Google Sheets for seamless data transmission between applications. There are three types of integration that EHS solutions provide:

• On-premise integration connects the EHS platform with other software and tools used in the organization.
• Integration with identity providers (Google, Facebook, Gmail) to enable single sign-on (SSO) login.
• Integration with public API (like EPA or OSHA) for submission of data and inspection reports.

3. Checklist Templates

One of the most critical features of EHS solutions is useful, customizable checklist templates. From occupational hazards to environmental protection, businesses have to adhere to several government rules and regulations. Checklists are a great tool that supervisors can use for auditing purposes to ensure the organization complies with, for instance, OSHA and EPA regulations.

Some EHS platforms can even add logic into checklist templates to guide the flow of the inspection, thus making the whole inspection process simpler and more efficient. Supervisors can also share checklist templates with their colleagues in just a few clicks. 

In addition, the auto-sync feature ensures any changes made to the checklist will reflect in real-time. Some standard checklist templates that businesses use often are:

• Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) Inspection Checklist
• Fire Safety Inspection Checklist
• Electrical Inspection Checklist
• Workplace Inspection Checklist
• OSHA Safety Inspection Checklist
• Housekeeping Inspection Checklist

4. Analytics and Reporting Capabilities

Nowadays, EHS solutions come loaded with advanced analytics capabilities that track, collect and analyze data to improve on-site EHS performance. They can also analyze EHS-related key metrics such as energy and water consumption, waste generation, greenhouse gases (GHGs), etc by collecting purpose-driven data to uncover hidden risks. Based on the recommendations, management can then take actionable steps to minimize risks. 

Some vital questions that EHS analytics can answer are:

• How many close calls or near-miss incidents occurred?
• How many workplace violations were reported by supervisors?
• Which tasks were completed on time by the supervisors and managers?
• How much time did it take to complete inspections?

5. Data Management and Security

Organizations collect data related to all possible environmental, security, or health care incidents. However, most companies and organizations have too much data that is left unanalyzed. Therefore, it is important to have a data management feature in EHS software to collect necessary data relevant to government regulations.

This feature logs different violations at the workplace and assigns corrective actions and analyzes underlying causes. On the other hand, it also improves data security by adding all your OSHA compliance, EHS information, and risk management activities to the secured and centralized system. Other benefits of data management features within the EHS platform include:

• Boost accountability and analysis
• Log information on-the-go
• Improve business processes
• Better reporting efficiency

6. GHS Labeling

GHS stands for Globally Harmonized System, a framework that standardizes the classification and labeling of chemicals worldwide. Some EHS solutions used in the chemical industry have a labeling feature that can find, create and print GHS-compliant labels in different sizes and languages. These labels can be posted at working areas, job sites, storage containers, and vehicles.

This feature has built-in precautionary codes, signal words, and pictograms for all kinds of chemical hazards, and includes the following six pieces of information:

• Signal Word: Used to indicate the severity of hazard and alert the reader
• Hazard Pictograms: Graphic symbols that convey specific messages about the hazards of a chemical
• Manufacturer Info: Contact details of the chemical manufacturer
• Precautionary Statements: Recommended measures that should be taken to prevent adverse effects resulting from chemical exposure
• Hazard Statements: Describes the nature of the hazard
• Product Identifiers: Describes how the hazardous chemical is identified.

Final Thoughts

These are some of the essential features you should look for in EHS solutions out in the market. However, it is difficult to find a simple, easy-to-use, and cost-effective EHS platform that has all the features in one place. 

Fortunately for you, Pulse is one the best EHS platforms in the market, with features like workflow automation, API integration, checklist temples, powerful analytics, etc. Register now to get a free trial and try them out.