Helping a Company Embrace Electronic Health and Safety Management for Growth
Client Overview
SafetyComply had the privilege of working with a well-established company, with a desire to improve their health and safety management as they are approaching the opportunity for increasing their workforce. Their plan for growth presented exciting opportunities, but it also raised critical concerns regarding the company's health and safety management processes. Despite investing in an electronic health and safety management system (EHS), the client company found themselves struggling to onboard their team effectively, resulting in frustration and the temptation to revert to traditional paper-based record-keeping.
Challenges
1. Limited Time and Resources:
The manager at the client company, a dedicated and hardworking professional, was simply stretched too thin to spearhead the onboarding process effectively. Managing the day-to-day operations and simultaneously implementing a new system proved to be overwhelming.
2. Lack of Expertise:
Transitioning from paper-based records to an EHS system required a deep understanding of the platform and its customization to suit the company's specific needs. Being a new system to everyone involved, the company simply didn’t have someone in house with this knowledge.
3. Sustainability and Maintenance:
The EHS system, like any technological solution, required continuous attention. Updates to the software, regulatory changes, evolving industry standards, shifting operations, and personnel management were all areas that demanded ongoing focus.
4. Overwhelming Learning Curve:
EHS systems are comprehensive, covering all aspects of health and safety management. Attempting to implement the entire system at once can overwhelm employees, potentially leading to resistance and a negative impact on company culture.
Our Solution:
We recognized the need for a strategic, phased approach to implementing an EHS system tailored to our client’s unique operations and company dynamics. Our approach included the following steps:
1. Dedicated Project Management:
We assigned a dedicated health and safety consultant to lead the project and took ownership of learning the EHS system inside out, setting it up for the client's specific needs.
2. Customized Implementation Plan:
We worked closely with the client company’s management to identify the most critical aspects of the EHS system for their immediate needs. This prioritization ensured that the company wasn't overwhelmed with unnecessary features during the transition.
3. Gradual Integration:
We advised introducing the EHS system in stages, allowing employees to acclimate gradually. Using this approach to train employees on its use minimized disruption and maximized acceptance.
4. Continuous Maintenance and Updates:
Recognizing that EHS systems evolve, we committed to monitoring and implementing program updates, regulatory changes, and industry standards on behalf of the client. We developed a relationship with the EHS platform service team and continued to receive inside training and support from them, acting as a liaison between the client and the EHS platform. We ensured the system remained compliant and aligned with their evolving operational needs.
Results:
SafetyComply's strategic approach to EHS implementation brought about significant improvements for our client:
1. Efficient Operations:
With a dedicated consultant leading the way, our client successfully onboarded their team to the EHS system. This led to more streamlined and efficient health and safety processes.
2. Improved Compliance:
Continuous monitoring of regulations and industry standards ensured that the client remained compliant with changing requirements, reducing potential risks.
3. Positive Employee Engagement:
The phased implementation approach prevented frustration among employees, fostering a positive culture shift towards embracing the new processes.
4. Sustainable Growth:
Our client is now well-equipped to handle their planned workforce expansion, thanks to a robust and adaptable EHS system, and our continued support ensures that the success can be repeated with new employees, work processes or projects.
Conclusion:
The journey from traditional paper-based health and safety records to an electronic management system can be challenging. However, SafetyComply's tailored approach, dedication to continuous improvement, and commitment to understanding the unique needs of our clients enabled this client company to successfully embrace the change. The result was not only a safer work environment but also a company poised for sustainable growth.
If your organization is considering transitioning to an EHS system or needs assistance with an existing system, SafetyComply is here to guide you through the process and ensure a smooth and successful transition while prioritizing the safety and well-being of your workforce.