Welcome, folks to another edition of Mighty Line Minute! We’re tackling a big question for U.S. companies with multiple domestic operations: How might you go about building a robust Environmental, Health, Safety, and Sustainability Management System? 

There are a large number of software solutions providers out there that offer a wide range of workflows, add-ons, and degrees of complexity. Today, however, I’ll focus simply on two leading software solutions providers—Benchmark Gensuite and SafetyAmp. I’ll also consider the following operational areas: EHS compliance, employee engagement, management of change, pre-startup safety review, incident management, action management, and sustainability. And —why not—I'll take a brief look at the potential for future alignment with ANSI/ASSP's Z-10 Safety and Health Management Systems Standard. So, let’s get started!

Imagine you’re the EHS manager for a U.S. manufacturing company with locations in Ohio, Texas, and California. Your goal is to unify EHSS processes across all sites to ensure compliance with company standards and environmental and safety regulations, while also engaging employees and advancing sustainability goals. You need software that’s flexible, scalable, and aligns with standards like ANSI Z10 for occupational health and safety. Enter Benchmark Gensuite and SafetyAmp—two platforms designed to streamline your EHSS Management System. But how do they stack up? Benchmark Gensuite has been a player in the EHS space for over 25 years, offering a comprehensive, cloud-based platform trusted by major companies. Its strength lies in its integrated suite, covering everything from incident management to sustainability reporting. For regulatory compliance, Gensuite provides a centralized platform to track OSHA and EPA requirements, with automated compliance tools. Its internal calendar helps teams stay on top of deadlines, which is critical for multi-site operations.

For employee engagement, Gensuite’s mobile-first approach, with apps for iOS and Android, lets local teams report hazards or incidents from the field. Its Safety Observations tool allows customized risk categories, fostering proactive safety cultures. Management of Change (MOC) and Pre-Startup Safety Reviews (PSSR) are supported through tools that streamline documentation and risk assessments, ensuring compliance with standards such as OSHA’s Process Safety Management Standard.

Incident and action management are robust, with AI-powered features to identify potentially serious incidents and drive corrective actions. Sustainability tracking is a standout, with automated metric conversions for greenhouse gas emissions. Their software also aligns with frameworks for carbon disclosure and ANSI Z10’s focus on continuous improvement. However, some users note that the interface can feel complex, possibly challenging smaller teams.

SafetyAmp, a smaller, newer player, markets itself as an all-in-one EHS solution with a focus on simplicity and affordability. It’s designed for industries like manufacturing and construction, offering tools for audits, incident management, and compliance tracking. For regulatory compliance, SafetyAmp’s configurable apps automate injury and illness recordkeeping and reporting, which assures staying audit-ready across multiple sites.

Employee engagement is a core focus, with features and unique additions designed to keep safety top-of-mind. Its mobile app supports real-time hazard reporting though may be less feature-rich than Gensuite's. For MOC and PSSR, SafetyAmp offers customizable workflows but lacks deep process safety management tools. Incident management is solid, with automated follow-ups and analytics, but it doesn’t yet heavily leverage AI.

On sustainability, SafetyAmp supports basic environmental tracking though not as deeply as Gensuite’s advanced environmental, social and governance (ESG) metrics and emission factor integrations. However, it aligns with ANSI Z10 through its focus on safety culture and audits, though will require customization for complex sustainability goals.

So, how might you choose between the two? Benchmark Gensuite is the heavyweight, ideal for large enterprises with complex needs. Its AI, IoT integration, and global language support make it a fit for multi-site operations with diverse regulatory demands. It’s also pricier—but its depth, especially in sustainability and process safety, is tough to beat. It’s perfect if you prioritize scalability, ANSI Z10 or ISO 45001 alignment, and have international operations to consider. It's also costlier to implement. SafetyAmp on the other hand, is leaner and more budget-friendly, and possibly ideal for companies with less complex needs. Its user-friendly interface and engagement tools are great for fostering safety culture, though may require add-ons for advanced features like visitor management, PSM compliance, or deep sustainability reporting. So, let’s wrap up. 

​For a U.S. company with multiple sites, Benchmark Gensuite is the likely better choice if you need a future-proof, comprehensive system, especially for sustainability and process safety, and your budget allows. SafetyAmp shines for cost-conscious firms focused on employee engagement and core regulatory compliance.

Assess your budget, scale, and sustainability goals, and be sure to consider demos from both firms. Finally, look into other solutions providers as well, as the field continues to rapidly evolve. And that’s a wrap on today’s episode of Mighty Line Minute! Stay safe, stay compliant, and continue to seek improvement and innovation while treating your employees well!

We’ll catch you again soon!