An Environmental, Health, and Safety Management System (EHSMS) is based on a fundamental core belief that all incidents of workplace injury, illness, and environmental impact are preventable. The protection of people within the community and at the workplace is a core value for most organizations and EHSMS implementation doesn’t have to be complicated, costly, or time-consuming.
In fact, it’s easier than you think. The EHSMS is a framework and driver for continuous improvement. A management system is a systematic approach for:
- Planning – Identify/anticipate needs,
- Doing – Develop processes to meet those needs,
- Checking – Measure progress against plan,
- Acting – Assess outcomes/implement continual improvements.
The protection of people within the community and at the workplace is a core value for most organizations and EHSMS implementation doesn’t have to be complicated, costly, or time-consuming.
The Value of an EHS Management System
In cultural climates that value EHS, organizations of all sizes and industry sectors are now implementing management systems as a framework for improving their environmental, health, and safety performance. Environmental, health, and safety performance are integral to the overall success of any organization.
The benefits of an EHS Management System could be endless with much higher growth potential for your business, including:
- Lower safety incident rates
- Increased production
- Increased employee satisfaction
- Reduced costs
- Reduced environmental waste
- Legal compliance
- Lower insurance premiums
Risks of Not Having an EHS Management System
Failure to take responsibility for occupational health and safety within your organization could lead to serious consequences, not only do you risk large financial penalties, but you risk the safety of your workers and people in communities within which you work. This will likely lead to consequences including reputational damage and weakened financial performance.
Failure to take responsibility for occupational health and safety within your organization could lead to serious consequences
Potential consequences include:
- Increased injury/illness/death
- Loss of production
- Large financial penalties
- Higher insurance premiums
- Reputational damage
- Equipment failure
- Hazardous waste
- Temporary or permanent closure
- Loss of revenue due to closure
What it Takes to Have a Successful EHS Management System
The development and implementation of an EHSMS is based on recognized management system criteria and principles. The EHSMS model is built on what is known as the “enabling foundation” of:
- Commitment
- Organization
- Communication
- Education & Training
- Measurement
The enabling foundation supports and facilitates the successful implementation of traditional and more familiar disciplines of EHS such as:
- Incident Management
- Work Practice Control
- Environmental Process Control
- Health Process Hazard Control
- Safety Process Hazard Control
How Do I Improve or Implement an EHS Management System?
The best route to begin the process of implementing EHSMS is to connect with an EHS consulting firm to learn more about what it takes, they’ll evaluate your specific needs, staff, timeline, and concerns.
No one can argue with the protection of people and the environment being necessary core values. Visible EHS commitment and communications from leadership are critical to the success of a robust management system. The people in any organization will do what leadership clearly expects them to do. Everyone has a role in EHSMS, so be sure to involve the right people in initial conversations, including the CEO/President/Owner, managers, supervisors, employees, human resources (HR), and EHS professionals.