Tackling this issue required a deeper understanding of real-world workflows. I interviewed three Health & Safety officers with varying levels of seniority — from site-level inspectors to senior compliance managers. Each had their own way of working, but all struggled with the same core challenges.
James, a junior officer, often juggled multiple inspections in a single day and relied on messy, handwritten notes.
Louis, a mid-level safety coordinator, had developed her spreadsheet system, but found it time-consuming and disconnected from the field.
Faysal, a senior HSE manager, emphasized the burden of reviewing late or incomplete reports and the difficulty of maintaining audit readiness.
Synthesizing the most important points and observations (using empathy maps) revealed a few common themes:
By the time I sit at my desk, I forget half the details — it’s all scattered in my notebook.
I take photos with my phone, notes on paper, and then send emails to myself. It’s chaotic.
L
Louis, Mid-level safety coordinator
I wish I had real-time visibility into what’s happening on-site, not just after the fact.
F
Faysal, Senior HSE manager
Key Insights
- Report writing is delayed, often leading to lost context or incomplete information.
- Media and notes are captured separately, making consolidation difficult.
- Writing reports is time consuming and inconsistent.
- Superiors lack real-time access to incidents, risking delayed decisions and non-compliance.
