Black swan events like COVID-19 play a role in quickly and violently exposing the elements of society that are not fit for purpose. When it comes to business, health and safety has borne the brunt of much criticism levelled at the inability to cope with the impact of the virus. And whilst no organization was truly expected to have a pandemic plan, there have been important gaps highlighted that must be fixed even in the new normal. 

What is modern health and safety? 

The World Health Organization (WHO) defines health and safety as the framework that safeguards and supports the physical, mental and social well-being of workers – as well as the development and maintenance of their working capacity, professional, and social development at work. 

For most businesses pre-pandemic, health and safety can be neatly categorized into the safeguarding of physical health and wellbeing – like protecting from injury or illness – or those that preserve positive mental wellbeing – including stress support. The latter has taken centre stage during the remote working revolution. 

Health and safety software and technology 

Research from the Global Work-from-Home Experience Survey found that during the pandemic, 88% of employees are working from home on a regular basis, compared to just 31% pre-pandemic. The challenges that follow such a change are exacerbated when we consider the issue on a global scale. Left with few options other than digital, forward-thinking organizations are investing in the software and technology that will allow them to monitor, support, and act on health and safety issues of the workforce away from the office. 

Health and safety software is normally a centralised, cloud-based system that enables the management and the sharing of compliance data, tasks and actions across a business of any size. There are many different types but generally they fit into two types:  

Environment Health & Safety Software (EHS) which supports the management of safety and occupational health processes.  

Occupational Health & Safety software (OHS) which, like EHS, keeps a record of health and safety data but allows the user to generate analysis and trend reports to ensure employee safety. 

When combined, the two leverage an impressive raft of benefits: 

• Visualize all H&S data in a single dashboard 
• Democratize control to employees and allow them to view all information 
• Safety and security in the cloud-based system 

• Audit administration efficiency 
• Custom forms, filters, and groups 
• Standardized organizational procedures 
• Centralized training and certifications 
• Risk mitigation and safeguards. 

Health & safety software increases the control that both employee and employer have when approaching remote work, naturally reducing stress whilst also creating workplace structure at home. 

Additionally, businesses can also invest in Risk Assessment Software and Incident Reporting software to control and log issues accordingly. 

Read More: We Can’t Fix Mental Health with Duct Tape: A New Frontier in Workplace Health and Safety 

Continue the debate at the HSE Insight Summit NA, a GDS Summit, where we bring together senior HSE executives who are actively seeking to share, learn, engage, and find the best technology solutions. 

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