OSHA Safety Compliance Really Does Matter

Ouch! The cost of unsafe working environments really does matter. In a recent news article from EHS Management Software Today, it clearly highlights that large corporations are not above the law, and that includes occupational health and safety regulations. Anheuser-Busch’s recent encounter with OSHA over the safety of their New Jersey warehouse resulted in a $162,000 fine, and this is not the first time that a multinational business has been accused by a workplace health and safety agency of ignoring warehouse safety.

Perspectives: Automation and Banking

Automation

What comes to mind when you hear the term ‘automation’? Do you ever think of how many processes in your daily life are automated? Automation is used pretty much every day in our lives. How many times do you run to an ATM for cash, or how often do frequent a “Redbox” for DVD rentals, or maybe you’re in a hurry at the supermarket and decide to use the self-checkout lane? What about new technology used for home automation, such as thermostats and home alarm systems controlled through your mobile phone? Or maybe automation in vehicles, such as park-assist? Each of these processes are automated by a computer system.

Reducing the Cost of Governance, Risk Management & Compliance (GRC)

This is a topic that comes up often in our discussions with prospects and customers.  Today, GRC is approached from a business unit perspective by many companies, not from an organizational holistic perspective.   The end result is redundant and disparate processes, resources and tools littered throughout the organization.   This disjointed approach naturally results in wasted time and dollars as each department struggles with the same problems in different ways.

What are SEMS Auditors Interested in Seeing During a SEMS Audit

The Safety and Environmental Management System (SEMS) program was developed for organizations to meet two core objectives i) Accident & Incident Prevention and ii) Prevention of the release of  hazardous substance in the environment. Building safety management system is a process to meet the above two objectives.

An Effective Compliance Management System for Bank and Non-Banking Institutions

Most Regulatory agencies are clear about what they are looking for during the auditing process, but what they are not clear about is the process or a system as to how you will achieve compliance i.e.

5 Reasons Why You Should Automate Incident Management

Incident management plays a critical role in the ongoing success of any organization. This process allows businesses to identify, analyze and address problems as quickly as possible so that normal business operations may be restored in a timely manner. While incident management is certainly not a new concept, many organizations are still employing this process manually which can significantly limit its effectiveness.

Implications of a Safety Management System

A Safety Management System (SMS) is intended to serve as a solution that, at a minimum, allows organizations to meet their legal obligations under state and federal law.  An effective SMS seamlessly integrates all aspects of safety operations including (but not limited to) regulatory requirements, policies and procedures, case and incident management, internal audits and training plans.

Improving Business Performance by Reducing Contract Management Risk

Most companies have an extensive network of suppliers, contractors, ventures, alliance, partners, consultants, etc. with which they do business.  The majority of the relationships with those organizations are defined in contracts.  The terms and conditions of these contracts are legally binding.  Thus, the requirements must be followed to ensure each party is acting accordance with its obligations and commitments.

How to Build Successful Operational Risk Assessments

Operational risk plays a key role in the development of integrated risk management programs that include compliance, business continuity planning, information security and other operational risk related data. These programs are referred to as ‘governance, risk and compliance’ (GRC) or ‘convergence.’ Operational Risk Assessments can go haywire because of a number of reasons. And here are a few things you need to set right to eliminate the causes behind failed risk assessments:

What will GRC be Like in the Future?

The world of Governance, Risk, and Compliance is changing rapidly. Technology is reaching new heights, enabling more efficient automation of compliance. GRC has mostly been handled in a relatively primitive fashion in the past. Even now, there are still many organizations drowning in their inefficient Governance, Risk, and Compliance initiatives. So why is it taking so long for companies to streamline their compliance processes?

What is Risk Management?

The idea behind risk management practices is to protect your business from vulnerabilities. Risk Management can be used to protect the business from financial risks, as well as reduce risks to employees, customers and the public.

Effective Change Management is Critical to Compliance

It’s difficult to keep up with regulatory compliance because it changes all the time. Complying with changes in corporate compliance documentation, internal controls, audit requirements, employee training, etc. In addition, compliance officers are responsible for all industry regulations across all business units within their organization.

Exploring Compliance Outsourcing and Managed Service Vendors?

Here’s 3 core reasons why you should.

Business process outsourcing has permeated various industries to different extents. But the base case is the same — if a non-core function is standard within an industry, and can be codified in a step-by-step manner, then it is possible to have a third party perform all those functions for a number of companies for a reduced cost for each of those companies.

Big Data and Environmental Management Systems

Environmental concerns are real business challenges. However, in today’s world, these concerns have enlarged to include not only the risk/cost side of the balance sheet but the “how do I make ‘green’ ($) from the green” side, as well.

Federal Regulator Warns Banks about Complying with BSA/AML Laws

Bloomberg BNA recently reported that a Federal regulator is not too optimistic about technological advancements in the banking sector, especially the Bank Secrecy Act (BSA) and Anti-Money Laundering (AML) compliance laws that could leave financial institutions vulnerable to risks.

Risk Management Software

Set the risk management foundation with AI based risk management software Set the risk management foundation with AI based risk management software

what is one overlooked reason for workplace accidents

Effective Management of Sediment Dredge Material Evaluations

Dredging is essential for the construction and maintenance of the marine infrastructure upon which our economic prosperity is dependent. The ongoing operational and technical challenges along with various regulatory requirements in dredging projects require effective dredging materials evaluations project management to ensure cost-efficient operations.

Reactive vs. Proactive Compliance

Whether we are talking about broader HSSE or more narrowly focused CIP, NERC, ISO, Dodd-Frank, etc. compliance,  there are two general approaches to implementing a compliance plan within an organization:  proactive and reactive.

Alright, so you had an incident. How are you going to prevent it from happening again?

Incident management should be a core competency within any organization. Without an effective incident management program, an incident can disrupt business operations, information security, IT systems, employees and customers.  Worst case scenarios include loss of human life, irreparable damage to assets, and degradation of the environment.  Uncontrolled incidents result in financial losses, reduced stakeholder credibility, and diminished brand value.

implement a grc software now

Managing constantly changing standards & regulations and managing processes dependent on word processing documents that invite errors are two of the major challenges that organizations are facing in managing GRC.

5 Steps to Selecting a Regulatory Compliance Software Solution

1)      Understanding and Accepting the Need – Regulatory compliance is a very important part of any business in a regulated industry. Failure to comply with regulations can result in many different consequences:

Port of Houston Poised for Big Growth

With hopes for a bright future and thriving watercourse, the initial evaluation and research for the new Houston Ship Channel Expansion Channel Improvement study is underway. This potential mega-project represents a great opportunity to modernize the Houston shipping channels and help assure that the Port of Houston continues to serve its community, provide jobs and remain a hub for commerce.

Why Safety Management Matters

A safety management system is a planned process or procedure for carrying out a certain activity in the workplace. The reason you should implement safety management systems is to ensure that when a task is carried out in your workplace,

DETECT POTENTIAL VIOLATIONS REAL TIME WITH PREDICT360 ANONYMOUS HOTLINE REPORTINGWHAT IS ANONYMOUS HOTLINE REPORTING? A REPORTING HOTLINE ALLOWS EMPLOYEES TO DISCREETLY INFORM RELEVANT MANAGEMENT ABOUT UNETHICAL ACTIVITIES THAT WERE OBSERVED IN THE ORGAN

HOTLINE REPORTING?

A reporting hotline allows employees to discreetly inform relevant management about unethical activities that were observed in the organization. Unethical activities include financial improprieties,

360FACTORS AND BLUESCAPE TO DELIVER EH&S REGULATORY CHANGE AND COMPLIANCE MANAGEMENT SERVICES

360factors Inc. today announced that it is partnering with BlueScape Environmental (BlueScape) to offer integrated Environmental Health and Safety (EHS) regulatory change and compliance management services, powered by its Predict360™ software.

OIL & GAS GRC SOFTWARE

INCREASE OPERATIONAL EXCELLENCE, SUSTAINABILITY AND MARGINS BY MANAGING ALL OF YOUR COMPLIANCE DEPARTMENTS THROUGH A SINGLE PLATFORM.