I expected the data to confirm what many of us have been saying for years - that most teams are still right at the beginning.
But that’s not what we’re seeing. If anything, it has challenged my assumptions. The early data tells us that most organisations aren’t starting from zero. Yes a few are at zero but we have a lot more in the middle. So yes, it is messier, more interesting, and honestly more encouraging than I anticipated.
What I Expected vs What I found
Though no longer in a traditional safety role, I am still very much in the H&S space supporting with data and tech. So I see first hand the pressure to harness the power of data for better decision-making and to get that nod from the decision makers for that new piece of software.
How well an organisation is doing when it comes to managing their HSE data, turning insights into action, and maintaining data security does vary. To help us get more insights into this fact, we ran the Digital HSE Maturity Assessment called the VIGIL Checkpoint, and the results are eye-opening.
The assessment focused on a range of questions around our 5 main pillars - Vision, Tools & Systems, Data & Evidence, AI & Automation and Roadmap. 30 questions asked, ranging from from data security and privacy, to the quality and consistency of HSE data, to how well insights are communicated to leadership and stakeholders. We also explored whether organisations are making use of dashboards, visual reports, and most importantly, how evidence from frontline tools is turned into action.
Here’s what we have discovered so far from 46 responses (as at 27th March, 2026):
Just 14% scored as The Watcher, showing minimal engagement with HSE data practices.
10% are at The Starter level, indicating the beginning of a journey towards data-driven HSE.
The largest group, 31% identified as The Builder, with foundational systems in place but room for growth. When we first started, most people fell in here but gradually that has decreased
21% scored as The Navigator. This is organisations who are actively using data but may not have fully optimised their processes. Based on my current work with H&S teams, this seems to be true to large companies and multinationals.
24% achieved The Sentinel status, representing the leading edge of HSE data maturity. I had one-to-one interactions with some in this group to understand if they fell in there out of desire or fact. By the time they told me where they worked and how things were done, I had to believe in the scoring.
These data collected will be used to write and publish VIGIL’s 2026 State of Digital HSE Report. So, we are aiming for no less than 100 responses before World Safety Day (28th April, 2026). So if you still haven’t done yours yet, there is still time. 10 minutes, 30 questions and your personalised report direct to your email inbox → checkpoint.wearevigil.global
What does the data tell us so far?
Most organisations are past the earliest stages of HSE digital/data maturity. The majority are Builders, Navigators and Sentinels, actively engaging with data and using it to drive decisions. However, the smaller number of Watchers and Starters is a reminder that pockets of low maturity still exist and this alone, represents untapped opportunities for improvement.
Check out Navigators and Sentinels - while 45% are in these upper tiers, there’s still a clear split between those making solid use of data and those truly leading the way. Sentinels are not just gathering and reporting on data, they are embedding data-driven insights into every level of their HSE strategy and operations. They ensure data quality, communicate insights effectively, protect data security, and make evidence-based decisions as second nature.
Right now, it is no longer about “going digital”. I think the boat already sailed away. It is also not about more or new tools. The focus should now be on
Integration - making your tools talk to each other instead of operating separately. Did you know many teams have and use multiple unrelated software for multiple related things when they could be using way less?
data quality - because bad data in a fancy dashboard is still bad data. I talk about data quality a lot because I have seen too much poor quality or unstructured data that leaves me with the question, “why collect all this data if we cannot use it?”
Evidence - turning what you collect into something leadership will actually act on. This is the essence of VIGIL.
Decision-making - closing the gap between having the data and using it to make good decisions/change outcomes.
What is VIGIL and how it fits
This data didn't come from a vendor survey or a consultancy trying to sell you something. It came from VIGIL, an independent, practitioner-led initiative built to do one thing - measure where the HSE profession actually stands on digital maturity, and give practitioners the evidence to take their next steps.
VIGIL is an ecosystem. The Checkpoint assessment gives you your own score across five pillars. The data you contribute (anonymised and aggregated) feeds the first independent State of Digital HSE Report, which we'll publish on World Safety Day (28 April 2026). There is no vendor agenda nor sponsorship bias. We are focused on what the profession is actually doing with its data and digital tools, measured by practitioners, for practitioners.
Right now, most of the conversation about digital transformation in HSE is being led by the people selling the tools. VIGIL is changing this so the people using the tools have their own evidence base, and their own voice and that decision they make and fuelled by real data and evidence.
So where do you go from here?
The question is no longer about whether your organisation is "going digital". The data already tells us most of you are past that point. The real question is whether your data is turning into evidence, whether your tools are connected, and whether the people making decisions are actually listening to what the numbers are saying.
If you don't know the answer yet, that's exactly what the Checkpoint is for. 10 minutes, 30 questions, and you'll have a personalised report showing exactly how you score across all five pillars.
Take the assessment → checkpoint.wearevigil.global
And if you want the full picture of where the profession stands, not just for your organisation, the result airs live on World Safety Day. The more of us who contribute, the stronger the evidence we provide.
The question for your organisation is:
Where do you stand? Are you satisfied with your current use of HSE data, or is there room to move up the maturity curve? Can you confidently say your frontline data is turning into actionable evidence, and that your leadership is truly listening?
Take the Digital HSE Maturity Assessment today at https://checkpoint.wearevigil.global
P.S. Not subscribed yet? You’re missing key updates on VIGIL, from the Global HSE Report to the upcoming summit and The SafetyStack roadmap.
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