Best EHS Software and why...GO!!!
Let's start at the beginning...
Almost seven years ago when I started with the City, the previous Safety Manager had convinced our (extremely tight) HR Director to purchase an EHS software system from XYZ company to help keep track of all of our incidents. The great news was that we had an EHS software solution. The only problem was I did not have a say in which one we would use. This was really dropped in my lap and I was told to use it.
I have tried for the last few years to really get in there and kick the tires to figure out what data I could pull out in the form of reports from the incident data I enter into the system. Regrettably, I have not taken the time to really see what's under the hood. Unfortunately, I have fallen back to my old ways and created tracking databases in Excel.
Now before you all jump all over me about using Excel, you have to realize I'm a bit old skool and I know what I know. I can make Excel do some pretty awesome things. However, at the end of each quarter, I really struggle to enter and update all the tabs b/c Excel is not a database to prepare for the Quarterly Safety update I present to our Senior Leaders.
So, judging from my volume of calls, emails, and LinkedIn messages, EHS software is a very popular topic right now.
All I am asking is for you safety professionals who use EHS software to keep track of your incident/WC data, tell me which one you use and why do you think it is the best?
We spend about $2,000/year for XYZ EHS Software. Our contract includes modules on Hazards, Corrective Actions, Incidents, and a Dashboard.
(Disclaimer: We ARE NOT using KPA EHS software, it is just the picture I grabbed from Google images). :-)
Comments (8)
It’s funny, when I clicked this thread my answer to what the best software is was going to be excel.
You just plot twisted the SK community. Aside from the complex user interface excel is pretty crazy, especially when you get into macros you can do some cool stuff. I’m also a big fan of google sheets since it’s free
I used Excel for a lot of years. My corporation had a homegrown system that they made 25 years before 2015. I had to enter data on their system for the OSHA 300, 300A, and Corporate statistics, but had to do my analytics, graphs and charts of the data in Excel to paste into Power Point presentations and WORD documents. I did not have to get into exotic macros but knew they were there if I needed them.
I retired from the Corp world just before EHS Velocity bought MSDSonline and Humantech (Ergo) and took them into the 21st Century, esp HumanTech. Prior to that my company had national contracts with MSDS and Humantech, so I used their older more manual systems. I am a big fan of MSDSonline and Humantech but the older versions, as I have not used them extensively since 2017. I have played with EHS Velocity since and like it, you can buy the other two with EHS or just buy modules. If I was a decision maker on EHS software and in the Corp world (multi-location) I would take a look at EHS Velocity. In my opinion they are the General Motors of the EHS Software business! I have looked at several.
The last year I was in the Corp World my company bought Gensuite (the old GE product). Unless they have significantly improved that, I cannot recommend that one! I did not like it at all! I hear from my old peers that they still do not like it.
During the pandemic my daughter and son in-law lived with us for awhile. I was out of the Corp world by then, but in consulting still used some Excel. Son in-law is a Corporate Finance Director. He tried to convert me to Google Sheets, and called me "old-fashion". I still prefer my comfort zone in Excel.
I work work with GLG and pick up a few bucks a month telling prospective investors about various subjects! I am bombarded with requests to talk about EHS software! Must be really hot! There are a lot of retired IT people out there trying to develop software on their own, and for some reason have picked EHS. Go figure!
Right now a use a internet based program by J.J. Keller and Associates. This was a step up from using excel for me. Unfortunately, I only get predetermined dashboard and they only represent OSHA recordables and I am the only user. I have been looking at IREPORTSOURCE ($15,000 for 700 users, $100k for all county users)which I like as well as EcoOnline ($65,000 for entire county to use) Both allow every individual to make initial reports on near misses and all OSHA recordables as well as to assign tasks to individuals. Currently without being a user of these I would recommend looking at both of these. Only issue is that they cost more than what you are currently paying. the JJ Keller one which I will continue to use for a year ($1,500) is my in between until I can get the funding for a better system. They also allow you to have a free trial for about a month or 2. https://www.jjkellerportal.com/
IMO all EHS software is terrible. It's like they don't employee anyone in User Experience/Design.
I have used GenSuite and Enablon extensively and they both have problems. Entering data is not usually a problem. Getting reports is difficult. If I need a report it is easier for me to download data into excel and use pivot tables to get the info I need.
I have never been able to choose which system I get to use.
EHS Insight was the best, paid web-based software I have come across. It’s ability to let field folks engage in the safety management system was easy and intuitive. I would say the main drawback was the price.
Hey Randy -
I highly recommend you should check out safetyevolution.com
This is a robust Safety Management Software - Build by Safety Professionals for Safety Professionals.
Neil