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Published 19 May 2023

The Best Health and Safety Management Software of 2023

worker using health and safety software and app

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 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. It also allows workplace safety officers to easily implement safety plans and programs across the organization. Choose the best health and safety management app for your business. Keep your workers safe and stay compliant with health and safety regulations using the ideal health and safety management software.

What are the Benefits?

Implementing a health and safety management system allows workplaces to effectively perform necessary measures for risk prevention. Its interactive and timely approach ensures immediate response and helps in efficiently addressing safety concerns. Here are a few other known benefits of using a H&S software in workplaces:

  • Comply with industry rules and regulations. Utilizing health and safety management software enables organizations to digitize safety assessments and take advantage of digital recordkeeping for a more streamlined compliance procedure. It also helps in monitoring any industry policy changes and implementing 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. Most software is also accessible from multiple devices and offers a simplified view of the network of metrics and targets.
  • 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 and drive meaningful business growth.
  • Results in higher employee productivity. Following these health and safety policies using digital tools help minimize human error and aid in performing tasks efficiently. Strict implementation of these practices also prevent workplace illness and injuries, therefore, decreasing disruption in productivity.
  • Improves public image. Lack of safety-related incidents also help maintain a positive reputation for a company as it shows its commitment to the well-being and safety of its employees. Being viewed as a safe, compliant, and responsible business inevitably translates to a positive public image and relations which can also help in attracting future investors.

WHO Health and Safety Modules

According to the World Health Organization (WHO) and International Labour Organization (ILO), almost 2 million people die from work-related causes each year and a major percentage of this is caused by workplace exposure to air pollution, asthmagens, carcinogens, ergonomic risk factors, and noise.

ILO identified the following items as an integral part of occupational health and safety software that should ideally be implemented in maintaining a safe working environment for the working population:

  1. Identifying and assessing risk
  2. Surveilling workplace hazards
  3. Designing safe workplaces
  4. Developing programs for improved work practices and for evaluating new equipment
  5. Advising on occupational health, safety, and hygiene
  6. Surveilling workers’ health
  7. Promoting adaptation of work to the worker
  8. Managing vocational rehabilitation
  9. Organizing training and education
  10. Organizing first aid and emergency treatment
  11. Analyzing adverse conditions that lead to injury and illness

WHO, in partnership with the University of Illinois Chicago School of Health also developed an educational module in occupational health and safety for health ministers, physicians, nurses, labor inspectors, and worker advocates. This aims to accomplish the following:

  • Discuss the content of occupational health practice
  • Convey basic knowledge and principles through practical application
  • Highlight its relevance to practitioners worldwide
  • Be used with multidisciplinary audiences to a collaborative work across disciplines
  • Display versatility by allowing use of different instructors in different settings
  • Show adaptability based on the needs of different countries
  • Assess its effectiveness according to the host countries and the participants
  • Be easily disseminated

Implementing an Effective Health and Safety Management System

For a health and safety management system to be effective and successful, it should follow 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. Health and safety should be just as important as cost, productivity, quality, and employee relations.

Management can show their involvement and commitment by doing the following:

  • Allocating resources for health and safety initiatives
  • Setting clear directions and expectations with health and safety policies
  • Assigning and monitoring health and safety responsibilities
  • Directly engaging and communicating with workers

2. Hazard identification and assessment

Hazard identification and risk assessments are done to promote awareness of hazards and risk, identify who are affected, and determine how serious these effects are. Identifying a hazard means anything that can cause harm (e.g., chemicals, ladders, etc.) while risk assessments identify the likelihood that someone will be harmed by the identified hazard. Below are a few inspections designed to curb the occurrence of incidents due to workplace hazards.

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 either be any of the below according to the Hierarchy of Controls: Elimination or substitution Engineering controls Administrative controls Personal protective equipment (PPE)

4.Training

Occupational health and safety legislation requires employers to provide employees adequate training in the health and safety aspects of their jobs. When employees receive proper training, hazards and risks caused by human errors are minimized along with work-related injuries and accidents.

5. Emergency response

A 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.) Having contingency plans for any emergency helps in proper management of life-threatening situations and minimizes downtime and damage.

6. Incident reporting and investigation

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. Data from these investigations also contribute to identifying problem areas so that corrections and improvements can be made.

7. Corporate Communication

Management has a legal obligation to effectively communicate health and safety practices to employees. Effective communication ensures that employees understand policies, procedures, and the requirements to perform their jobs safely. Doing so not only minimizes the likelihood of injuries and illnesses but also improves performance. Communication lines are kept open through general meetings; joint workplace health and safety meetings; and informal conversations between supervisors and their employees, contractors, and subcontractors. Effective communication can support and monitor HSMS (Health and Safety Management System) through regular evaluation and proper recordkeeping. Evaluation is done either through audits, assessments, or corrective actions.

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.

SafetyCulture is a mobile inspection software that supports health and safety initiatives throughout different industries. Discover how SafetyCulture has enabled these leading brands in safety and quality:

SafetyCulture Content Specialist

Jaydee Reyes

Jaydee Reyes is a content writer and researcher for SafetyCulture. Her six-year experience in the field of data research and media monitoring adds expertise and quality to her work. She is also a champion of leveraging technology to promote a culture of safety in workplaces around the world. As a content specialist, she aims to help companies adapt to digital changes through interesting and informational articles.

Jaydee Reyes is a content writer and researcher for SafetyCulture. Her six-year experience in the field of data research and media monitoring adds expertise and quality to her work. She is also a champion of leveraging technology to promote a culture of safety in workplaces around the world. As a content specialist, she aims to help companies adapt to digital changes through interesting and informational articles.

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