In some organizations, risk, safety, and compliance teams report to the same business unit, while in others, they do not. This separated structure often leads to limited communication and collaboration. In many cases, these teams also use completely different systems or spreadsheets to manage crucial business risks and programs. This segregated approach comes with its own set of risks:   

• Risk managers may not have visibility into how the safety program is impacting their total cost of risk (TCOR)  

• Safety managers may not be able to tie the success of their safety initiatives to financial results, limiting their internal influence  

• Compliance managers may have an incomplete picture of regulatory alignment and limited audit trails, obstructing their ability to identify, mitigate, and manage a truly holistic view of enterprise risk  

For risk managers, it's a clear choice 

For many risk managers, the importance of a strong safety or loss control program, bolstered by a proactive safety culture is clear: having systems in place to reduce hazards means fewer workplace incidents and injuries, resulting in fewer claims and potential litigation events. With Origami Risk’s reporting tools, we’ve even heard from our clients that risk managers have been able to demonstrate the positive results of their organization’s safety program to brokers and agents, enabling them to strengthen their partnerships and negotiate lower premiums.  

For safety managers, it's an opportunity for cultural growth 

However, it is less likely for safety managers to see why a collaborative partnership with risk management is so valuable. One thing we hear is that EHS and safety professionals struggle to get buy-in for additional investment and attention to safety, meaning that safety is not embedded into the company culture, is overlooked as a priority, or is viewed as merely a compliance exercise. When risk managers have visibility into safety data, they can tie that data to financial impact, which safety teams can then present to executives to get further investment in safety initiatives, ranging from activities like safety meetings to investment into a safety management technology system. This is a win-win situation for both risk and safety teams because increased investment into safety will likely result in a reduction of incidents, which can reduce TCOR.  

For compliance managers, it makes all the difference 

By connecting these traditionally separate areas, companies can not only identify and assess risks more effectively but also implement more robust mitigation strategies. This holistic view ensures that all aspects of risk — from operational hazards to financial exposures — are managed in alignment with overall business objectives, leading to enhanced resilience. Furthermore, the consolidated data and streamlined processes foster better compliance with regulatory requirements and more transparent audit trails, reducing the likelihood of oversights and ensuring that the organization is always prepared for external scrutiny. 

The benefits of collaboration and a single source of truth

As the risk and safety landscapes continue to evolve, the need for mutual collaboration and a single source of truth will only grow.  

One way to ensure better collaboration between teams and departments — or to level up your program — is to invest in a single technology platform for risk and safety. “Organizations are seeking to reduce the number of point solutions they have, preferring to integrate their modules on a single platform,” states independent analyst firm Verdantix in an overview of Origami Risk’s integrated EHS and risk management solutions found in the Verdantix 2024 Safety Management Buyers Guide. “Origami Risk has captured this preference, integrating its RMIS, GRC and EHS modules on one platform, to provide users with a single source of truth for all risk and safety data. As a result, safety teams can use EHS data to analyse the impact of their preventative measures — such as job safety analyses (JSAs) and near-miss reporting — while risk teams can see the financial effects of incidents through claims costs and the total number of days lost. This places safety teams in a stronger position to negotiate for resources, as firms can clearly identify the financial impact of incidents.” 

The benefits of integrating risk, safety, and compliance management systems are clear: improved visibility, stronger negotiating positions, and more effective risk mitigation strategies. By adopting a single, unified platform like Origami Risk, organizations can break down silos, streamline processes, and gain a holistic view of their risk landscape. This integrated approach not only enhances collaboration between departments but also provides a single source of truth for all risk and safety data, enabling more informed decision-making and resource allocation. As the complexity of risk management continues to grow, the question isn't whether your organization can afford to integrate these crucial functions, but rather, can it afford not to? 

To learn more about how Origami’s RMIS,  EHS, and GRC solutions can help break down organizational silos and reduce costs, start a conversation with us.