Digital EHS tools face adoption roadblocks despite benefits

Research commissioned by Intelex and conducted by independent research firm Verdantix has revealed substantial barriers hindering the widespread adoption of mobile applications designed to transform environmental, health, and safety (EHS) workflows.

Despite the recognised advantages of digital EHS workflows in fostering a positive safety culture, the survey identified key challenges organisations face in adopting mobile technologies. A total of 82% of respondents cited a lack of company-provided devices as a significant obstacle. Additionally, 80% of organisations reported the saturation of existing applications as a hindrance, while 76% pointed to connectivity issues as a barrier to effective adoption. These factors continue to impede the shift from paper-based methods to more efficient mobile solutions.

The survey also discovered that mobile devices are primarily used reactively to streamline compliance and reporting, rather than proactively driving safety engagement and culture. While 70% of organisations have adopted centralised digital tools, 18% continue to rely on traditional methods such as paper and spreadsheets. Only 12% of organisations have fully embraced advanced digital safety tools, indicating considerable room for growth in the sector.

Incident reporting, deployed by 54% of organisations, and audits and inspections, utilised by 30%, are the most common mobile EHS processes. These tools mainly aim to enhance compliance efforts. Essential features for managing safety, as indicated by the study, include easy access to risk assessments (100%), emergency alerts (96%), and permits and procedures (90%). These features enable organisations to respond promptly to emergencies, ensure proper authorisation for activities, and evaluate potential hazards effectively.

To achieve broader adoption of mobile tools, respondents highlighted the importance of an easy user interface (64%) and configurability (30%). A user-friendly interface ensures that employees can navigate the tools without extensive training, while configurability allows organisations to tailor tools to their specific needs, enhancing both effectiveness and usability.

Melissa Hammerle, President of Intelex, stated, “Over the last 15 years, smart devices have driven the expansion of the EHS mobile tools market. While the benefits of mobile applications are clear, EHS professionals have faced challenges such as technological complexity, change management, and restricted mobile usage. However, advancements in technology, increased digital literacy, and cost reductions are accelerating the transition from traditional paper-based methods to mobile solutions.

“Our research shows that mobile devices are still used primarily for compliance, despite their vast potential to drive transformational safety projects. There is a critical need for a shift from mere compliance to a more engaged and proactive safety culture. Mobile EHS applications are key to this – providing real-time data and fostering better communication between frontline workers and EHS professionals.

“Organisations that successfully adopt mobile tools see improved safety engagement, streamlined processes, and a stronger overall safety culture. At Intelex, we are committed to developing intuitive, digital solutions that not only streamline compliance but also drive meaningful safety engagement and risk management across organisations.”

Looking forward, the research indicates that artificial intelligence (AI) could significantly impact EHS processes in several areas. These include providing user support (34%), predicting risks (27%), and organising data (20%). By leveraging AI, organisations can proactively identify potential hazards, stay updated with regulatory changes, and offer real-time assistance to users, thus improving overall safety and compliance.