making the case high performing health & safety programs
TRANSCRIPT
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
High Performing Health and Safety Programs Rely on EHS Software | 2
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
High Performing Health and Safety Programs Rely on EHS Software | 3
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.
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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.
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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
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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
Do Not Use EHS Software
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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
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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
Do Not Use EHS Software
No Unsure Yes
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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
Do Not Use EHS Software
High Performing Health and Safety Programs Rely on EHS Software | 10
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
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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
Do Not Use EHS Software
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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)
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
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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.
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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%
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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%
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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]