Legislative reform makes it increasingly difficult for businesses to achieve and maintain Health & Safety compliance. And with the penalties that come with it, it’s particularly stressful for businesses.
Fortunately, the introduction of Health & Safety compliance software. Our guide explores the five ways it can help your business stay compliant.
What is Health & Safety compliance?
Health & Safety compliance is the process of businesses adhering to laws set out by the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974. The legislation exists to protect employees and other parties from harm in the workplace.
Companies will implement risk assessments, provide training, and create a Health & Safety policy. Measures must be taken to ensure the working environment is free from hazards, as well as suitable personal protective equipment (PPE) being provided.
When proper Health & Safety compliance is observed, organisations have fewer workplace accidents, avoid legal fines, promote a positive work culture and preserve their reputation.
How can Health & Safety software support compliance?
It may seem challenging to adhere to Health & Safety laws, but they exist for good reason, and it’s imperative for your company to follow them.
Technological advancements, such as workplace Health & Safety software, alleviates the stress for businesses trying to satisfy Health & Safety compliance.
Here are five ways Health & Safety software can improve compliance:
1. Centralised Health & Safety documents
Instead of having reams of paperwork, Health & Safety software provides a secure, central location for essential documents. Not only does this mean improved accessibility for your workforce, but it’s a sustainable approach, too.
This method means your team will be working with the latest Health & Safety information, mitigating workplace accidents. There’s also a complete audit trail for regulatory bodies like the Health and Safety Executive (HSE), which is necessary for inspections or legal proceedings.
2. Automated processes
Manual systems consume time and labour. With Health & Safety software, routine compliance tasks can be tracked and completed, freeing up time for your workforce, enabling them to focus on core business activities.
Alerts and reminders can be sent for deadlines, such as equipment maintenance and training refreshers. As laws change, this function is particularly useful to help you stay compliant with changing legislation—avoiding workplace injury and legal penalties.
3. Risk management & identifying hazards
With integrated Health & Safety risk assessment software, carrying out risk assessments and highlighting hazards before they become workplace accidents is an efficient process.
It also streamlines recording your findings, and the data collated from near misses can be analysed. The system can spot trends, alert managers of high-risk areas, giving ample opportunity to implement appropriate measures.
4. Refined incident management
Employees might be deterred from reporting incidents if it involves a tedious process. Facilitated by Health & Safety compliance software, staff can quickly and easily report incidents from a handheld device.
The investigation process itself is streamlined, ensuring corrective and preventive actions (CAPA) are tracked. This way, any possible breaches of Health & Safety policy are dealt with proficiently.
5. Training & engagement
Resources for the latest Health & Safety training are essential to ensure your workforce is aware of the latest and best practices. It also gives you an overview of your employees’ progress.
Such and engagement, along with tools for seamless reporting, creates a culture where Health & Safety compliance is celebrated. Also, when employees feel safe and valued, morale is improved.
FAQs: Five ways Health & Safety software can improve compliance
What is Health & Safety compliance software?
Heath & Safety software is a digital platform engineered to help businesses better manage processes in order to stay compliant. It also streamlines routine tasks, optimising operationality.
How does Health & Safety software ensure compliance with changing laws?
Health & Safety software helps businesses stay compliant with regular updates and reminders relating to legislative reform. Automated alerts allow companies to update their Health & Safety policies.
Does the Health & Safety software replace anyone?
Health & Safety consultants aren’t replaced. Rather, the software supports them. It automates processes, allowing them to focus on more pressing matters.
Final say: Five ways Health & Safety software can improve compliance
From digitally storing your Health & Safety documents (meaning less paper), saving time with automation, to simplifying the way employees report incidents, compliance can be challenging, but Health & Safety software makes it easier.
Incompliance has severe consequences, and as this guide outlines, Health & Safety compliance software protects your business from potential breaches, and the associated fines and tainted reputation.
Discuss Health & Safety software with Peninsula
If you want peace of mind that your business is protected from the penalties that come with incompliance, Health & Safety software safeguards you, your business, and your staff. Interested? Book a demo.
When you partner with Peninsula, in addition to excellent software, you get access to 24/7 Health & Safety guidance, as well as unlimited support with documentation.
To connect with one our experts, contact us today.
