How to Choose the best Health and Safety Software Without Losing Your Mind
If you’re like us, you probably hate doing risk assessments (RA) for the various regulations made under the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 using Excel spreadsheets or paper and pen. It’s tedious, time-consuming, and error prone. You have to identify, analyse, and control the hazards and risks associated with different jobs or tasks, as well as communicate and document the results and recommendations.
Sounds like a nightmare, right?
Well, don’t worry. There’s a solution for that. It’s called software.
Yes, software. The magical tool that can make your life easier and your work more efficient. The wonderful invention that can automate and streamline your RA activities, improve your data quality and accuracy, and enhance your decision-making and performance.
But wait. Before you get too excited, there’s a catch.
Not all software is created equal. Some software is better than others… more suitable for your needs... more compatible with your system... more secure... more affordable... more supportive.
You get the idea.
So how do you choose the right software for your RA needs? How do you compare the different software solutions available in the market? How do you avoid wasting your time, money, and sanity on the wrong software?
Don’t worry. We have the solution.
In this article, we will show you how to choose the right software for your RA needs without losing your mind. We will share with you some best practices and tips for comparing the different software solutions based on various aspects, such as features, functionality, usability, compatibility, security, cost, and support. We will also give you some examples of successful software solutions that have been used by other users who have similar RA needs as you.
Ready? Let’s get started.
Why You Need Software for RA
First of all, let us tell you why you need software for RA in the first place.
You see, RA is a vital process for any organization that wants to ensure the safety and health of its workers. It’s also a legal requirement. Employers are responsible for ensuring the health and safety of their employees by identifying and controlling hazards before they cause harm.
But doing RA manually can be a pain in the neck. Literally.
You have to use paper forms or spreadsheets to record your observations and findings. You have to use calculators or formulas to measure your risk levels and ratings. You have to use word processors or editors to write your reports and recommendations. You have to use email or phone calls to communicate with your stakeholders and auditors.
And you have to do it all while keeping track of your deadlines, updates, changes, revisions, approvals, feedbacks, and follow-ups.
Sounds like a lot of work, right?
Well, it is.
And it can also lead to a lot of problems.
For example:
You can miss or overlook some hazards or risks that are hidden or not obvious.
You can make mistakes or errors in your calculations or assessments that can affect your accuracy and reliability.
You can lose or damage your data or information due to human error or technical failure.
You can face difficulties or delays in accessing or sharing your data or information due to compatibility or security issues.
You can spend more time or money than necessary due to inefficiency or redundancy.
And these problems can have serious consequences.
For example:
You can expose your workers to injuries or illnesses that can affect their well-being and productivity.
You can violate the regulatory requirements that can result in fines or penalties.
You can damage your reputation or credibility that can affect your customer satisfaction and loyalty.
You can incur losses or liabilities that can affect your profitability and sustainability.
And these consequences can be devastating.
For example:
According to the Health and Safety Executive (HSE), there were 135 workers killed in work-related accidents in 2022/23. The most common causes of fatal injuries were falls from height, being struck by a moving vehicle, and being struck by a moving object1.
The HSE also reported that there were 1.8 million working people suffering from a work-related illness in 2021/22. Of these, 914,000 workers were suffering from work-related stress, depression or anxiety, which accounted for 51% of all work-related ill health cases and 55% of all working days lost due to ill health. The main factors cited by workers as causing their work-related stress, depression or anxiety were workload pressures, lack of support, and violence, threats or bullying.
A report by the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents (RoSPA) revealed that there were 5,977 deaths from accidents in the UK in 2019. This is an increase of 5% from 2018, when there were 5,691 accidental deaths. The leading causes of accidental deaths were poisoning (mainly due to drug misuse), falls, transport accidents, choking and drowning.
So, you see, doing RA manually is not only a hassle but also a risk.
That’s why you need software for RA.
Software can help you automate and streamline your RA activities, improve your data quality and accuracy, and enhance your decision-making and performance.
Software can help you save time and money, reduce errors and risks, and increase efficiency and effectiveness.
Software can help you protect your workers and customers, comply with the regulations and standards, and boost your reputation and profitability.
Software can help you achieve your RA goals and objectives, and ultimately, your organizational vision and mission.
Sounds like a dream, right?
Well, it is.
But only if you choose the right software for your RA needs.
How to Choose the Right Software for RA
Now that you know why you need software for RA, let us show you how to choose the right software for your RA needs.
The first thing you need to do is to define your RA needs.
You need to ask yourself some questions, such as:
What are the goals and objectives of your RA process?
What are the challenges and problems that you face in your RA process?
What are the requirements and expectations that you have for your RA process?
What are the resources and constraints that you have for your RA process?
By answering these questions, you will be able to identify your RA needs and priorities, and thus, narrow down your software options.
The next thing you need to do is to research and select the top software solutions for RA.
You need to use some sources and criteria, such as:
Web search: You can use search engines to find the most popular and well-reviewed software solutions for RA.
Reviews: You can use Capterra or other review platforms to find the most rated and recommended software solutions for RA. You can also use filters or categories, such as features, functionality, usability, compatibility, security, cost, or support, to sort your review results.
Testimonials: You can use LinkedIn or other social media platforms to find the most successful and satisfied users of software solutions for RA.
By using these sources and criteria, you will be presented with many options for software solutions for RA.
You then need to compare and evaluate the best software solutions for your needs.
You might use some aspects and ratings, such as:
Features: Rating scale: 1 (poor) to 5 (excellent).
Functionality: Rating scale: 1 (poor) to 5 (excellent).
Usability: Rating scale: 1 (poor) to 5 (excellent).
Compatibility: Rating scale: 1 (poor) to 5 (excellent).
Security: Rating scale: 1 (poor) to 5 (excellent).
Cost: Rating scale: 1 (expensive) to 5 (affordable).
•Support: Rating scale: 1 (poor) to 5 (excellent).
All of this takes time and is subject to error if you do not have deep experience of evaluating products.
A Better Way to Select Health and Safety Software
Corp Acuity can partner with you to find the solution you need.
With so many options and variables, how can you make an informed and confident decision? How can you avoid wasting time and money on software that does not meet your needs or expectations?
This is where Corp Acuity’s knowledge of the market can help. We connect people, ideas, and resources across different domains and contexts to create new value and solve problems.
Corp Acuity can help you find the best health and safety software for your business by:
Providing you with access to a wide range of software solutions from different vendors and platforms, as well as unbiased reviews and ratings from other users.
Helping you understand your own needs and preferences, as well as the strengths and weaknesses of each software option.
Comparing and contrasting different software features and functionalities, as well as their costs and benefits.
Helping you implement, customize, and integrate the chosen software into your existing systems and processes.
Helping determine if some bespoke development is a cost-effective option.
Connecting you with the right developers if development is the best option.
Providing you with ongoing support, to ensure optimal performance and user satisfaction.
As an independent broker of health and safety software, Corp Acuity has been using knowledge of the market to help clients find the right tools or developers for their health and safety needs. We have extensive experience and expertise in the health and safety domain, as well as a strong network of contacts and partners in the software industry. We can help you navigate the complex and dynamic health and safety software market and find the best solution for your business.
To see an example of the kind of analysis we have done for a client needing a powerful solution for carrying out risk assessment, contact us and we will send you an example report.
The Final Verdict
So, there you have it. A complete guide on how to choose the right software for your RA needs without losing your mind.
Let Corp Acuity help you find the top five software solutions for RA based on various aspects, such as features, functionality, usability, compatibility, security, cost, and support, and rank them in a report for your board’s decision making.
They can then make an informed decision the right software solution based on their suitability for you company’s different needs, challenges, and goals.