The Origin Story: From Challenge to Innovation:
Environmental Health and Safety (EH&S) is a critical function within institutions of Higher Education, ensuring compliance with regulations, managing risks, and safeguarding students, faculty and staff. Yet, for years, EH&S teams have been burdened by a plethora of systems – documents, spreadsheets, shared drives, and inefficient softwares – making it difficult to track, manage, and share crucial data.
Veoci’s EH&S solution was born out of this very challenge. Initially conceptualized by a former emergency planner within the EH&S department of a major university, this product has been multiple years in the making. The goal? To create a single, transparent platform where all aspects of EH&S can be efficiently managed.
Why Higher Ed Needs a Unified EH&S Solution:
Most EH&S departments within universities struggle with disconnected systems, making it nearly impossible to ensure that the right people have access to the right information when they need it. EH&S touches every aspect of campus life, interacting with departments like police, transportation, risk management, housing, and even the arts- to name a few. Without a centralized platform, communication gaps and inefficiencies can create serious risks.
The scope of EH&S programs in higher education is immense, and may cover:
- Fire and life safety
- Laboratory safety
- Chemical and industrial Hygiene
- Emergency Management
- Campus Safety Committees
- Research Compliance (human trials, animal research, radiation safety, etc.)
- Environmental Protection (hazardous waste disposal, food safety, housing cleanliness)
- Risk Management
- Insurance
With all of these departments and moving parts, having a single, accessible platform enhances transparency, reduces risks, and streamlines necessary compliance efforts.
Compliance & Transparency: Why EH&S is More Than Just a Requirement
Beyond improving efficiency, a strong EH&S program is crucial for ensuring regulatory compliance. Universities must adhere to OSHA standards, fire safety regulations, and environmental protection laws. Keeping up with these regulations is no small feat, especially when compliance requires meticulous documentation and real-time updates. A robust EH&S platform ensures that institutions stay ahead of compliance issues while fostering a culture of safety.
Beyond Higher Education: The Expanding Need for EH&S
While the platform was designed with universities in mind, its applications extend far beyond higher education. Hospitals, municipalities, and large enterprises also grapple with similar safety and compliance challenges. With EH&S regulations affecting any organization with over 100 employees, the need for an integrated safety management system is universal.
For example, Veoci has already engaged with healthcare institutions, local government jurisdictions, and enterprise businesses, proving that this solution has the potential to serve industries far beyond academia. As the platform continues to grow, collaboration with other industries–such as aviation, which has similar safety management needs—will drive further innovation.
Early Adoption and Future Growth
Currently, two universities are piloting Veoci’s EH&S solution. These institutions provide valuable insights into refining the platform. However, the challenge with pilot programs is engagement-when there’s no financial commitment, adoption can be slow. The next step is to onboard additional universities as paying customers to gain more measurable impact data.
A Vision for the Future
The ultimate goal is to make Veoci the one-stop shop for EH&S management where all data, workflows, and communications are housed in a single, intuitive platform. The ideal user is someone who logs in daily to track programs, manage compliance, and collaborate seamlessly with other departments.
With continued growth, the platform has the potential to transform safety management not just in higher education, but across multiple industries. As Veoci expands its reach, the team remains committed to refining and enhancing the solution to meet the evolving needs of its users.
