Why EHS Software is more than just Technology

EHS software is increasingly seen as vital for successful workplace management, due to its ability to track compliance, aggregate data on employee safety, and oversee both employee certifications and training. 

Given its popularity, it’s easy to forget that EHS management software is a tool, and as such, only as useful as what you put into it. When used correctly, EHS software is more than just technology — it’s a bridge between your employees and the training they need to perform safely and efficiently.

What is EHS software?

Before we discuss the relationship between EHS software and employee training, we should define what we mean by EHS software. What is EHS software anyway?

EHS software is short for Environment, Health, and Safety software, and is designed to be part of a company’s EHS management system. The software gathers data on regulatory compliance, safety metrics, preventative maintenance, and other data needed to guide corporate sustainability while reducing the risk of injuries and other unwanted events. 

How EHS management ties into training

Safety and skills training falls under the purview of EHS management, as OSHA regulations require employees to have proper certification and training before working on any task that might pose a safety risk, whether it be using a stepladder or operating a forklift. Proper training protects employees while ensuring the company is in compliance with OSHA regulations. 

A lack of training or certification exposed companies to employee injuries or illness, lawsuits, workers’ compensation costs, and OSHA fines. An EHS management system tracks and reports on employee certification status while facilitating training opportunities.

You can’t provide accurate training if you don’t understand your employees’ existing skills and certifications. EHS software can provide detailed reports on skills gaps, expired certifications, and upcoming training needs, which can then be communicated to employees. EHS software helps identify and manage safety deficiencies, alerting employers to gaps in safety training, creating alerts for missing or outdated safety certifications, while also identifying potential recurring safety hazards, allowing your team to take steps to eliminate or mitigate threats to employee safety. 

EHS software assists in moving employees through training by scheduling training so it has the least impact on productivity, or by providing on-demand online training to employees. This option allows employees to schedule training around their normal work schedules. 

To help employees succeed, Environment, Health, and Safety software provide a number of support features. Depending on the EHS software you choose, your employees may have access to:

• Full audio narration to support employees with limited reading skills.
• Technical glossaries defining technical terms used in training courses.
• Libraries of illustrations, photos, charts, animation, and other graphics to help employees understand key concepts. 
• Self-check exercises employees must complete before moving on to tests or more advanced topics.
• Virtual bookmarks so employees can pause courses and restart exactly where they left off. 
• Printable study guides for all courses.

EHS software continues to support employees once training is completed by printing certifications, recording proof of training completion, and green-lighting employees for work which requires completion of the training course. Should certifications require periodic renewal, the system will automatically generate reminders to be sent to employees and their supervisors.