Environmental Health and Safety Management involves how an organization governs its activities in line with the conservation of the environment and the health and well-being of its employees. It develops policies, practices, and processes that ensure a sound working environment but with minimal harm to the environment.
Why Does EHS Matter in Today’s World?
In a world of increasing concern for corporate accountability for environmental and social impacts, effective EHS management has become essential. Here are some key reasons why it is important:
Safeguarding the Health and Safety of Employees: The main priority for EHS management is to take good care of its employee’s well-being against workplace hazards. Identification and monitoring of risks are important at workplaces so that organizations can assure the prevention of accidents and occupational illness thereby forming a culture of trust and loyalty among its workforce.
Reduces Environmental Impact: EHS management plays an important role in reducing the ecological footprint of an organization. With sustainable practices that involve waste reduction, pollution control, and resource conservation, organizations can reduce their environmental impact considerably.
Improves Organizational Reputation: A good EHS management system reflects an organization's commitment to corporate social responsibility. Organizations committed to environmental health and safety are viewed more favorably by customers, investors, and the community. This positive perception leads to increased customer loyalty and a competitive advantage in the marketplace.
Provides Financial Benefits: Effective EHS management comes with several cost benefits associated with any given organization. The accident prevention methodology tends to save much on fines as well as legal actions resulting from environmental policy violations or compensation to injured personnel. In addition, it saves costs through the application of methods that contribute to minimal operation expenses, thus increasing profitability.
Effective Strategies for EHS Implementation
Implementation of an effective Environmental Health and Safety management system requires a structured approach. The following are the strategies to be considered:
Perform a Thorough Assessment: Start by assessing the status of EHS practices and identifying further improvements. This assessment includes a review of existing policies, procedures, and compliance issues with regulations.
Set Clear Goals and Objectives: Establish specific, relevant, and time-bound goals regarding the EHS management system. Well-stated goals in this area give an indication of the direction towards which efforts need to be focused.
Develop Comprehensive Policies and Procedures: Lay down policies elaborating on your organization's commitments to health and safety. Communication of the developed policies to employees can prove to be very effective.
Provide Training and Resources: Provide the employees with the knowledge and skills needed to comply with EHS policies. Access to resources through regular training sessions will help in engaging employees to maintain a safe and healthy workplace.
Safety Culture: Allow open communication regarding EHS matters and support employee suggestions. It is possible to create a safety culture in the organization through recognition and reward for safe practices.
Explore UniAthena’s Environmental Health and Safety Management Short Course
This Free Environmental Health and Safety Short Course Online will provide you with the knowledge needed to recognize work hazards, understand how these hazards are best controlled, and ensure that the work is performed without any risk of injury or illness. The course will equip you with the knowledge of the core concepts in the areas of laws and regulations concerning safety, accidents at workplaces, and professional safety standards that are necessary to ensure a safety culture.
This self-paced course can be completed in as little as 1-2 weeks on your own schedule. Upon completion, get a chance to earn yourself 20 CIQ credits that can be applied towards the academic program offered by UniAthena and a Blockchain-verified certification to showcase your achievement. What's stopping you from achieving your goal of making your workplace a safer place? Sign up for this Free Environmental Health and Safety Course online now and learn the skills necessary to make that change.
