How EHS Leaders can Face Change Challenges Head-on
10/27/2022

How EHS Leaders can Face Change Challenges Head-on

As an EHS Leader you may feel stuck or frustrated by manual EHS processes, disparate teams that work across separate projects across different regions, and differing subcontractor safety standards. It could be a sign of challenges you should meet head-on. By asking these questions you are already a step ahead. These are problems that can be solved. 

Your success heavily depends on the ability to recognize challenges you and your teams are facing. Solving these problems is the key to unlocking the next step of safety performance. Here are signs it is time for change.

 

Physical Documentation Issues 

Human error or carelessness can slip through even the most rigorous of processes, documents can go missing, be completed incorrectly or pencil whipped. Your process is left to the whims of your subcontractors.  

Such errors are difficult to correct in the physical world and require passing the forms back and forth from one physical location to the other.  

Providing your subcontractors with a system to easily access compliance, risk, and safety documentation that’s always legible and organized can be a safeguard to your physical document problems. Collaboration with updated documentation is essential.

 

Inability to be on the Jobsite Causes Delays

Delays happen all the time on projects, but it’s preventable delays that shouldn’t be tolerated. With new tools available, there is little reason to add additional and unnecessary delays to the project due to simple documentation processing issues.  

Without a central digital document hub for compliance, risk, and safety documents, everyone on the project inevitably wastes time trying to find documents or personnel to sign off on those documents. Documents that delay work could include permits, JHAs and pre-task plans. 

Do you find yourself tied to a site just to provide guidance or review documentation? This could delay other projects. Access to EHS real-time data from anywhere at any time without needing to be physically on a jobsite can alleviate these issues and reduce delays.

 

Pre-Start Documents 

Scattered documents can lead to scattered teams. Critically, this can cause project start-up delays if pre-start documentation isn’t submitted by trades in time. The time spent chasing documents like JHAs, PTPs and Safety Plans can delay even the most prepped team.  

What’s worse, some teams may find themselves working with outdated documents or none at all. Starting without correct documentation can lead to long-term ramifications like poor quality, fines, shutdowns or even worse - injuries.  

Teams with a platform that supports all EHS processes and connects subcontractors to them are more organized, faster, and at the end of the day happier. Consider how you could remove the burden from your teams' shoulders and how dashboard which shows status of subcontractor pre-start documentation so you know if they’re truly ready to start could save you headaches. 

 

Retention issues 

It’s no secret that the labor market is the most competitive it’s ever been. Attracting and retaining has been an issue for many employers and candidates know it. It’s not surprising that talented candidates are demanding more from their employers whether it be financial or other form of compensation.  

Don’t sit on the sidelines watching your competitors snatch up talented candidates with higher quality compensation packages, there are other ways to impress candidates.  

Many young safety professionals are searching for employers who are ready to invest in digital transformation. Investing in the future of digital safety is a beacon to candidates that your organization is culturally progressive and willing to invest in them.  

When implementing change, it is essential to identify the obstacles and roadblocks in your way.

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