A Comprehensive Buyer's Guide to Construction Safety Software

Guide Last Updated November 2023

In the world of construction, embracing technology is not just an option; it's a necessity for safety and efficiency. HammerTech has emerged as a pioneer, transforming job sites with a state-of-the-art compliance, risk, and safety platform that's reshaping how teams engage with their work environments.

With a partnership network that spans over 400 clients and 15,000 projects worldwide, HammerTech is not just delivering solutions but is also driving the industry forward, championing a balanced approach to workplace safety and operations.

This EHS buyer’s guide is an essential resource, crafted to navigate the complexities of EHS platforms. It distills the importance, identifies key features, and outlines best practices for implementation. The guide addresses common challenges, showcases the economic gains of adoption, and provides insights into choosing and advocating for the right EHS solution.

Embark on this journey with HammerTech, where innovation meets practicality, leading to a safer, more efficient construction industry. For any assistance or queries, HammerTech's expertise is just a conversation away.

Introduction

Are you a major construction company looking to improve your Environmental, Health, and Safety (EHS) processes while saving money? If so, you’ve come to the right place. We’ve created this buyer’s guide to help you select the best EHS platform for your organization. Whether you’re a VP of safety or a CFO trying to determine if the investment is worth it, we cover all of the information you need to make an informed purchasing decision.

Construction sites are hazardous environments that pose a high risk of accidents, injuries, and even fatalities. Effectively managing an EHS program - on top of daily project management tasks - can overload your teams. Not to mention, manual and paper-based EHS management systems of the past have proven inefficient, time-consuming, and prone to errors. Without proper EHS management, construction companies can face significant legal, financial, and reputational risks and increasingly risk being outperformed by competition who are winning by embracing technology.

However, there is a solution. By implementing an EHS platform, improve your worker's psychological and physical health and safety, reduce your environmental impact, and comply with regulations. Not only that, but adopting EHS technology can also streamline your operations, increase productivity, and save costs in the long run.

In this guide, we’ll walk you through the benefits of using an EHS platform and provide you with guidance on how to select the right one for your organization. By the end of this guide, you’ll have a clear understanding of the EHS solutions available to you and how they can transform your operations for the better.

Why Construction Companies Need an EHS Platform

A. Problems an EHS Platform Solves

Managing EHS on your construction site in addition to day-to-day tasks can pose a challenge for even the most qualified project teams. Without a proper platform to help manage EHS requirements, problems can arise such as:

1. Increased risk of accidents, injuries, and fatalities:

   Without an EHS platform, you may struggle to identify, assess, and mitigate potential hazards and risks, leading to an increased risk of incidents, injuries, and even fatalities

2. Compliance issues: 

   You must comply with a range of regulations and standards related to EHS, including OSHA, EPA, and ISO. Failing to comply can result in costly fines and legal actions.

3. Inefficient processes:

   Traditional paper-based EHS management systems can be slow, cumbersome, and prone to errors, making it difficult for you to manage data, track progress, and generate reports

B. Benefits of Using an EHS Platform

Adopting an EHS platform offers several benefits for your organization that not only boost morale but also bottom lines. Some of these benefits include:

Not all EHS software is created equal. A robust, comprehensive EHS platform should include the following key features:

1. Strengthened site safety:

   Using a platform that facilitates EHS management allows your teams to spend more time on site improving site safety and ensuring worker well-being.

2. Reduced costs:

   EHS incidents, accidents, and injuries can be costly, leading to increased insurance premiums, workers’ compensation claims, legal fees, and lost productivity. By reducing the risk of incidents and injuries, you can save money in the long run.

3. Improved productivity:

   An EHS platform can help you streamline your processes, automate tasks, and reduce paperwork, freeing up time and resources for more productive activities.

4. Better decision-making:

   An EHS platform can provide real-time data, analytics, and insights, enabling you to make informed decisions, identify trends, and improve your overall EHS performance.

C. Key Features of an EHS Platform

Not all EHS software is created equal. A robust, comprehensive EHS platform should include the following key features:

1. Incident and injury management: 

   The platform should allow you to record, track, and investigate incidents and injuries, as well as generate reports and analytics.

2. Safety plan management: 

   Subcontractor management: setting expectations and on-boarding subcontractors and their workforce sets EHS standards and manages compliance from the outset. This includes safety plans, orientations, training and hazard analysis and much more.

3. Compliance management: 

   The platform should support your company’s certified safety management system, providing visibility across various aspects such as licenses, permits, and observations or issues. This will assist you in complying with relevant regulations and standards.

4. Risk assessment and hazard management: 

   The platform should support the identification, assessment, and mitigation of potential hazards and risks, as well as provide tools for conducting risk assessments.

5. Business intelligence reporting: 

   The platform should provide real-time data, analytics, and insights, enabling you to make informed decisions and track your EHS performance over time.

By leveraging these features, you can improve your EHS processes, mitigate risks, and achieve betteroutcomes for your workers, clients, and stakeholders.

Top EHS Platform Features and Capabilities

Subcontractor Management

The general contracting model greatly depends on trade partners for EHS performance and risk management. Ensuring that EHS software promotes collaboration between you and your trade partners is crucial. This collaboration should focus on key processes, such as Job Hazard Analyses (JHAs), Safety Data Sheets (SDSs), safety plans, worker enrollment, training, and issue resolution.

Benefits:

• Ensure subcontractors are compliant and job-ready before projects begin.

• Save time by importing SDSs only once.

• Receive higher-quality, project-specific submissions.

• Enhance subcontractor accountability.

• Effortlessly access leading indicator data.

Questions to ask:

• Do subcontractors have access? What can they do in the system?

• How will this help subcontractors engage with EHS processes?

• What types of data and reports does the software provide on subcontractor performance?

• Can the software display both current and historical performance data?

• Does the platform offer insights at both project and company-wide levels?

Capabilities to look for:

• Manage all EHS submittals

• Subcontractor Profiles

• EHS compliance rates and performance insights per subcontractor

Orientations and Training

Establishing safety standards and expectations before work begins is crucial for setting the tone for your projects. Ensure that the EHS platform you select effectively includes and engages all workers in the safety system.

Opt for a solution that offers digital orientations, which can be completed off-site or in a vehicle, with built-in quizzes to verify comprehension. This will enable more efficient use of time during face-to-face project briefings and minimize the focus on paperwork and training records.

Prioritize an EHS platform that tracks training records across sites and monitors expiration dates. This function prevents unauthorized equipment from being used or high-risk activities, such as confined space work, from happening without the necessary training.

Benefits:

• Save time for safety managers and site supervisors.

• Enhance safety training comprehension.

• Address near-expiring certifications to prevent skill gaps or unauthorized work.

• Enable workers to start using tools more quickly.

Questions to ask: 

• How does the platform deliver orientation training and measure comprehension?

• How are training records captured and monitored in the system?

• What are the estimated time savings per worker or general contractor staff member?

Capabilities to look for:

• Worker Profiles

• Training Matrix

• Digital orientations