Environment, health, and safety (EHS) have gone through considerable change, experiencing unparalleled evolution over the years. It has come a long way in the context of strategies and how data gets managed. However, the age we live in is poised to take that transformation several notches up, thanks to the increased reliance of EHS on novel technologies.
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Instead of focusing the attention merely on a software solution, EHS has expanded its scope. It now includes technological innovations that play a crucial role in developing the overall ecosystem. It includes artificial intelligence, big data, and machine learning, among other focus verticals. There is no denying that multiple technologies have had a role to play here, but big data, machine learning, and artificial intelligence is especially conducive for EHS as an industry. Let’s take a look at the contribution of each of these three technologies towards EHS, especially the compliance and management aspects.
- Artificial intelligence: The ability of artificial intelligence to execute daily tasks in a significantly more reliable and efficacious manner, has translated into freedom for EHS executives to prioritize jobs that are much more valuable in the larger picture. While this is not the only advantage, but it can single-handedly remodel the kind of skills a company needs to take care of such tasks.
- Machine learning: While machine learning is a subset of artificial intelligence, so profound is its impact in the world that it is typically deemed and discussed as an individual entity. So, it isn’t surprising to see its effect on the EHS industry as well; case in point, for industrial hygiene ML can offer a practical method to process lots of data to build a predictive modeling resource. This solution, in turn, can deliver a significant boost to the industry’s efficiency.
- Big data: Any company’s EHS division has to contend with copious amounts of data being funneled into their system from a variety of sources, such as treatment systems control and monitoring, customer legacy databases, sensors, and more with tools that are usually not enough for the task at hand. Well, with big data by their side, companies stand to gain a deeper understanding of employees, customers, their operations, and, of course, market trends. In addition to that, it also allows EHS departments within a company to optimize reporting by simplifying the monitoring and storage of information in a unified system.
Despite the tremendous impact each of these technologies has individually had towards the enhancement of OHS management software, the fact remains that even more radical transformation is possible by merely combining and integrating big data, machine learning, and artificial intelligence. Nonetheless, it is clear to see that each of these standalone technologies proffer a sea of opportunities, but a company’s ability to leverage them is dependent on how skillfully they are implemented and synced with its business aims and requirements. Also, remember, that a one size fits all strategy is unlikely to bear results, especially not the type of the company you may be looking for.
