MAKING THE CASE High Performing Health & Safety Programs

High Performing Health and Safety Programs Rely on EHS Software | 1

High Performing Health & Safety Programs Rely on EHS Software

MAKING THE CASE

EHS Program Performance Trends


Table of Contents

Executive Summary ...................................................................................................................3

Research Methodology ............................................................................................................ 4

Essential Data Access Improves Programs ......................................................................5

EHS Program Confidence and Performance Higher for Software Users ............ 8

EHS Software Helps Strengthen Employee Engagement ....................................... 10

Key Findings ...............................................................................................................................13

Respondent Demographics ..................................................................................................14

About KPA ....................................................................................................................................16


Executive SummaryThe following report addresses the findings of the 2021 “State of the Market: EHS Program Perfor-

mance” survey conducted by EHS Today in partnership with KPA. Completed this June, the survey

explores trends in company Environment, Health, and Safety (EHS) programs. Findings include data

in investment and priority level as well as program strengths, weaknesses, and general performance.

The findings are clear: An investment in the latest EHS software and technology improves perfor-

mance. Companies using EHS software report more accessible data on the performance of their safety

programs, believe the benefits of investment in EHS technology outweigh the costs, and enjoy in-

creased employee engagement and streamlined communication.

To reap these benefits, companies must view their investment in EHS software and technology as an

opportunity to greatly improve safety programs. Simply put, EHS programs that prioritize investing

in the latest technology and software are performing consistently above the industry standard.


Research MethodologyThe purpose of the study was to fully understand the correlation between investment in EHS software

and technology and improved program performance. Data was collected from June 10th through June

25th of 2021, and invitations to take part in the online survey were emailed by Endeavor Business

Media to members of the EHS Today database. 220 qualified and fully completed surveys were

received by June 25th, qualification determined by whether respondents were directly involved in

their organization’s EHS programs.


Efficient Data Access Improves Programs

What do you use to manage your EHS program?

Access to data that sheds light on a safety program’s health is one of the most important aspects of improved

program performance, as it provides companies with information that can help prevent issues before they occur.

Companies using EHS software have reported streamlined access to program data, with those respondents being

more likely to use an automated solution for their reporting process.

EHS PROGRAM MANANGEMENT

Survey findings show that it is easier for companies who use EHS software to access reporting and analytics of

the health of their safety programs, allowing them to identify potential issues before they cause problems for the

company. Over a third (35%) of EHS software users report that access to reporting and analytics is “very easy” or

“somewhat easy,” compared to only 15% of non-users. In fact, nearly half of non-software users noted the process

of accessing analytics as “very or somewhat challenging.” As a result, the vast majority (84%) of companies who

use EHS software have reported they are able to identify and remedy potential safety issues before they happen,

compared to just over half of respondents who do not use EHS software. Non-software users report facing

more challenges in their EHS programs, particularly in accessing data to prevent safety issues and analyze

performance, compared to those who use EHS software.

Overall, software developed in-house or purchased off the shelf are used by 72% of the respondents, yet spreadsheets and email are also still used by the majority.

0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80%

Spreadsheets/Email

Paper-Based Systems

Internally Developed Software

EHS Software

Other


Do you use EHS program data to identify and remedy potential issues before they happen?

How challenging is it to access reporting and analytics on the health of your safety program and find issues before they cause problems?

USE OF EHS PROGRAM DATA

84% of companies who utilize EHS software have reported they are able to identify and remedy potential safety issues before they happen, compared to only 51% of respondents who do not use EHS software.

35% of EHS software users report that access to reporting and analytics is ‘very easy’ or ‘somewhat easy,’ compared to only 15% of non-users”; “45% of non-software users noted the process of accessing analytics as ‘very or somewhat challenging.’ The use of EHS software makes it easier to access reporting and analytics on the health of safety programs.

Somewhat or Very Challenging Average Very Easy or Somewhat Easy

0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90% 100%

Use EHS Software

Do Not Use EHS Software

No Unsure Yes

0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90% 100%

Use EHS Software



How do you manage your annual OSHA reporting process?

OSHA REPORTING PROCESS

Only 36% of companies are using EHS software to manage their annual OSHA reporting, while the majority are spending extra time and resources manually collecting data through paper or spreadsheets.

Manually Collect and Compile Hard-Copy Reports

Automated software-based solution

We Aren’t Required to Complete Annual OSHA Reporting

0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50%

Spreadsheets


Do you think the benefits gained from your EHS program exceed the cost?

EHS PROGRAM BENEFITS

71% of EHS software users indicate benefits outweigh cost”; “45% of non-software users either do not think the benefits outweigh the costs or are unsure.

What’s more, EHS software ranked particularly high in incident reporting and tracking, with 85% of software users

ranking the program component as complete or strong. Good or excellent performance was also indicated with vast

margins in areas of “inspections and audits” as well as “preventive and corrective action communication and reporting.”

Overall, four of the five key areas of EHS programs — incident reporting and tracking, inspections and audits, employee

training, and preventive and corrective action communication and reporting) — ranked above average in performance.

EHS Program Confidence and Performance Higher for Software UsersSurvey results indicate that safety program performance, and confidence in those programs, improves with increased

investment in EHS software. Nearly three-fourths of respondents who use EHS software reported that the benefits

gained outweigh the cost of investment. In addition, 74% of software users indicate their programs are “strong with

room for improvement,” compared to 50% of non-users. Of companies who see room for improvement in their EHS

programs, 60% are already allocating up to 25% of their budget to technology solutions, showing these companies are

capable of increased investment.

0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90% 100%

Use EHS Software


No Unsure Yes


Accessing EHS information and training through mobile devices is a trend that continues to grow. For

companies using EHS software, the percentage jumps to 53% for workers in the field using phones or other

mobile devices to document incidents, submit safety reports, access training, and more.

Do your workers in the field have access to safety info, training, and documents, at any time on their mobile devices?

MOBILE ACCESS TO SAFETY AND TRAINING INFORMATION

More than half of respondents who use EHS software say that workers in the field have access to safety and training information through their mobile devices.

No Unsure Yes

0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90% 100%

Use EHS Software



EHS Software Helps Strengthen Employee Engagement

How would you rate employee engagement in your safety program?

Survey findings show a strong correlation between the use of EHS software and increased employee

engagement. EHS software allows for more frequent, streamlined communication with employees,

enabling companies to continually reinforce their culture of safety.

Employee engagement in company safety programs was rated as “good” or “excellent” by 49% of EHS

software users, compared to 40% of non-software users. That being said, respondents who communicate

with employees daily about safety topics are far more likely to rate employee engagement as “good” or

“excellent.” EHS software users are more likely to take part in daily communication with their workforce,

with nearly double the number of software users reporting daily communication.

EMPLOYEE ENGAGEMENT IN SAFETY PROGRAM

Among respondents who use EHS software, 49% rate employee engagement as “good” or “excellent.

0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90% 100%

Use EHS Software

Not Use EHS Software

Poor or Fair Average Good or Excellent


How often do you communicate with your workforce about safety topics?

FREQUENCY OF COMMUNICATION

62% of EHS software users report daily communication about safety topics, whereas 34% of non-users report daily communication.

It is important to note that although constant communication is important, it is equally important to use

software and technology that helps the company save useful time and energy in the communication process.

Communication with employees is streamlined with the use of EHS software, as companies who use software

take advantage of reaching employees via email specifically.

Daily

Weekly

Monthly

Quarterly

Annually

Rarely or Never

0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70%70%

Use EHS Software



How do you communicate important safety information to your workforce like policies, incidents, safety measures?

COMMUNICATION CHANNELS

“Only 58% of non-software users report using email for communication, versus 78% of software users”; “51% of non-users report using paper handouts to communicate with workforce, while use of paper decreases to 38% for software users”; “61% of software users indicate the use of automated emails for upcoming and overdue task alerts, versus only 17% of non-software users.”

Smaller Team Meetings (Toolbox or Tailgate Talks)

Email

Posters in the Breakroom/Throughout the Facility

1-on-1 Meetings with Managers and Employees

Company-Wide Meetings

Notifications Through Employees’Mobile Phone

Paper Handouts

Other

0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90%

Use EHS Software Do Not Use EHS Software


Key FindingsThe data collected in the 2021 “State of the Market: EHS Program Performance” survey makes a strong

case for investment in EHS Program software. When comparing reports from software users with non-

software users, findings report that software users are enjoying a higher performing EHS program.

Companies who use EHS software report:

More accessible data on the health of safety programs

Good or excellent program performance in incident reporting and tracking

Increased employee engagement because of more consistent and efficient communication

And perhaps the most telling finding of all, nearly three-fourths of software users indicate the benefits

associated with EHS software outweigh the cost of investment.

EHS software users serve as evidence to illustrate that when companies orient investment in EHS programs

as an opportunity for improvement, they can unlock the benefits of a high performing program.


Respondent Demographics

Which of the following best describes your job title or function?

Which of the following statements best describes your involvement with your organization’s EHS program?

Qualified survey respondents were required to be a part of their company’s EHS program and were most likely to

have a manager level or higher position within the company. The majority of respondents worked in light or heavy

manufacturing or construction, with companies in government, medical, food service, and various other industries.

Company size varied from small companies with less than 50 employees to large companies with over 2,000 employees.

RESPONDENT PROFILE

Respondents are likely to have a manager level or higher position within their company. Only respondents who are involved in their organization’s EHS program were qualified to participate in the survey.

Manager

Coordinator

Specialist

Director

Engineer

Day-to-Day Program Operation

Strategic and Operational Ownership

Provide Strategic Guidance

Part-Time Program Involvement in the Program

Other

C-Level, VP, or Other Executive Management

Other

0%

0%

10%

10%

20%

20%

30%

30%

40%

40%

50%

50%


Which of the following best describes your industry? What is your company size?

COMPANY PROFILE

Respondents are likely to work in light or heavy manufacturing, or construction. A variety of company sizes are represented in the findings, as nearly one-third of respondents have 1,000 or more employees, 27% of respondents have between 200 and 999 employees, and 41% have fewer than 200 employees.

Over 2,000 Employees

1,000 to 2,000 Employees

500 to 999 Employees

200 to 499 Employees

50 to 199 Employees

1 to 49 EmployeesResearch/Technology

Utilities

Oil & Gas

Construction

Heavy Manufacturing

Light Manufacturing

Food Service

Mining

Government

Forestry/Agriculture

Medical

Retail

Other

0%

0%

10%

10%

20%

20%

30%

30%


About KPA

Trusted by 10,000+ clients, KPA solutions help companies improve safety and stay compliant.

KPA provides EHS and Workforce Compliance software and consulting services that help clients identify,

remedy, and prevent problems across their enterprise. The combination of KPA’s software, consulting

services, and award-winning training helps organizations minimize risk so they can focus on what’s

important—their core business.

For more information, contact (866) 356-1735 or email [email protected]

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MAKING THE CASE High Performing Health & Safety Programs