What an API is
An application programming interface establishes how one system can request data or execute operations in another. It describes resources, inputs, responses and access conditions. In prevention, it can connect processes that currently depend on exchanging files, but the existence of an API does not mean every product function is available through it.
Defining the exchange first
The data needed, the system maintaining them and their direction of travel should be specified. Creating a person’s record, changing their workplace and updating an action’s status have different rules. Integrating OSH software with other systems requires identifiers, dates and responsibilities to be resolved alongside the technical connection.
Permissions for each operation
Authenticating the calling application is insufficient to authorise every query. Permissions should limit resources, operations and organisational scope. Exports and health data require particular attention. Credentials are protected and withdrawn when no longer needed; they are neither inserted into public documents nor shared as though they were viewing links.
Errors, limits and changes
The integration must interpret error responses, usage limits and timeouts. Repeating an operation that creates a record can duplicate it unless retry handling has been designed. How versions evolve and what notice is given before a field is withdrawn are also agreed. Accessible documentation should remain consistent with actual behaviour.
Acceptance example
In a hypothetical example, human resources communicates workplace changes to the preventive system. Testing includes a normal change, an unknown person, a repeated message and a connection interruption. It verifies that the result is assigned to the correct workplace and failures can be detected and corrected without creating duplicate profiles.
What to ask the provider
Requesting documentation for specific operations, a test environment, permissions, quotas and support is useful. Acceptance criteria should describe business outcomes rather than merely a correct technical response. API availability and conditions are checked for each product and contract; this concept does not presume the capabilities of any particular platform.
