What is the best compliance tracking software for safety equipment inspections?

Published on
July 15, 2025

If your business relies on safety equipment - whether for rope access, fire and emergency response, or industrial maintenance - keeping track of inspections isn’t just good practice. It’s the law.

Safety regulations, such as LOLER, require strict documentation, audit trails, and proof that inspections have been completed on time.

That’s where compliance tracking software comes in.

Why compliance tracking is critical for safety equipment

Compliance isn’t just about ticking boxes - it’s about ensuring your equipment is safe to use, inspections are done on time, and you have an audit trail to prove it.

Failing to manage this properly can lead to:

  • Missed inspections and unsafe gear in circulation
  • Fines or prosecution for non-compliance
  • Increased downtime while gear is located, checked, or replaced
  • Money wasted on lost or untracked equipment

A strong compliance management system eliminates these risks by making inspection tracking effortless - but not all platforms are built for high-risk industries.

Frequently asked questions about compliance tracking for safety equipment

1. What is compliance tracking software?
Compliance tracking software is a digital tool that helps businesses manage inspection schedules, record results, and provide audit trails. It replaces manual spreadsheets with automated reminders, checklists, and reporting tools.

2. How does compliance management software help with safety inspections?
A compliance management system sets reminders to ensure inspections happen on time, makes it easier to identify unsafe equipment on site, and makes it easy to produce reports for auditors. 

3. What features should I look for in compliance tracking software?
Look for mobile scanning of any brand of safety gear, preloaded equipment databases, built-in checklists, automated inspection reminders, and full audit trail reporting.

4. What’s the difference between compliance tracking and asset management software?
Asset management software focuses on tracking assets, while compliance software focuses on helping users to meet the reporting requirements of safety regulations for their equipment by documenting inspections, maintenance logs, and proof of compliance in one place. Some platforms - like Scannable - combine both. 

5. Can Scannable track any type of safety equipment?
Yes. Scannable can scan and track any brand of safety equipment using just your mobile phone, without the need for costly scanners or hardware. It does this via its database of over 60,000 pre-loaded pieces of equipment or you can use your mobile phone to scan 2D barcodes or their NFC tagged Smart PPE™. 

Where many compliance tracking platforms fall short

A lot of companies start with spreadsheets or generic asset management tools. The problem? These options are slow, error-prone, and rarely designed for safety-specific workflows.

Common drawbacks include:

  • Too much manual data entry - still relying on typing in serial numbers
  • Difficult-to-use software - software can be slow to load or not intuitive to use
  • Hardware dependency - needing costly UHF RFID scanning devices
  • Weak tag durability - unsuitable for real-world industrial use
  • Small databases - requiring you to enter gear details manually
  • Overcomplicated onboarding - long setup times before you can start inspections

Key features to look for in the best compliance tracking software

The right compliance tracking platform for safety equipment inspections should provide:

  1. Fast inventory creation - without endless manual typing
  2. Mobile scanning for any brand of safety gear - no need for costly proprietary devices
  3. Purpose-built compliance workflows - enabling you to create custom checklists as well as use pre-loaded templates
  4. Full audit trail reporting - ready for inspectors at a moment’s notice
  5. Manufacturer integration - to pre-fill data instantly
  6. Durable tagging options - built for tough environments

How Scannable outperforms generic solutions

Scannable is purpose-built for compliance management, designed specifically for industries where safety equipment compliance is mission-critical.

Here’s the Scannable advantage vs how others fall short:

  • Scan any brand of safety equipment with your phone ➝ Often limited to certain manufacturers or require proprietary scanners
  • World’s largest safety gear database with 60,000+ products pre-loaded ➝ Small databases, forcing manual entry
  • Smart PPE™ compatibility with 50+ global manufacturers ➝ No integration with manufacturers
  • Custom compliance checklists ➝ Generic inspection templates only
  • Full audit trails in one click ➝ Reporting takes hours to compile
  • Durable retro-tagging ➝ Tags are usually slow to install and wear quickly
  • Easy-to-use intuitive software ➝ Older software that is slow and clunky to use
  • Compliance workflows made simple

    Setting up your compliance tracking system in Scannable is a fast process:

    1. Get in touch with our team to import your current spreadsheet or add your inventory by selecting from our preloaded equipment database
    2. Allocate equipment to people, teams, or job sites
    3. Run inspections with custom checklists
    4. Generate reports instantly, complete with full audit trails

    Why this matters for compliance

    If you operate under regulations such as LOLER, you know inspections must be carried out according to a strict schedule - and the evidence must be ready for auditors. Scannable makes that easy by automating reminders, storing inspection histories, and letting you produce reports on demand.

    Final word

    Easy, fast and efficient compliance for safety equipment requires a specialised solution.

    Scannable gives you the speed, accuracy, and industry-specific workflows you need to stay compliant without extra admin time or costly hardware.

    Book your demo now to see how Scannable can make your next inspection your easiest one yet.