How do you keep your workers safe? Implementing safety standards that meet government levels is certainly part of it, but you also need a more comprehensive approach to minimize risks and hazards as much as possible. The most important thing is looking out for the people who work for you. 

Implementing an environmental health and safety management program can assist you in addressing all your health and safety concerns at work. Such systems are designed to avoid injuries and illnesses at work, and they proactively identify potential hazards. Ultimately, the system should show your company cares about its employees and wants them to enjoy a safe workplace.

What Is EHS?

EHS refers to regulations created to protect three essential components of worker satisfaction and well-being. The Environmental Protection Agency generally oversees environmental concerns at the federal level. Other federal and state agencies take charge of health and safety, ensuring people remain protected from hazards in the workplace. 

EHS involves three main areas of focus: 

• Environment: Decreasing adverse effects on the environment, like spills and leaks, while keeping energy usage in check and relying on clean energy when possible. 
• Health: Continuing productivity while putting protections in place to guard workers against illness and injury and help manage chronic disability. 
• Safety: Reducing hazards in the work environment and identifying possible causes of injuries and accidents and removing them. 

Key Components to EHS?

While some industries require tighter regulation than others, all industries share several standard components of EHS management. These include: 

• Audit management: Overseeing the scheduling, tracking and reporting for each audit, whether internal or external, to keep uniform compliance at different company sites. 
• Document control: Managing documents across your organization’s lifetime to track who has access to sensitive forms and where they are stored as well as strengthening error controls. 
• Incident reporting: Investigating incidents, including anything related to injury or illness as well as property damage or accidents involving vehicles. 
• Training management: Planning and tracking worker education and training to help build a strong safety culture and keep employees abreast of industry regulations as they change. 

Who Manages EHS Compliance?

Companies must manage their own EHS compliance. Companies should stay well-educated about policy changes that can impact EHS. Unfortunately, many companies do not have the resources or expertise to monitor EHS developments. Bringing in a consultant to offer informed perspectives on EHS is often the most practical option and can save money by helping companies avoid noncompliance fines. 

Where Can I Find an EHS Consultant?

Finding an EHS consultant can bring you confidence maintaining compliance. TRC has experience managing EHS compliance and offers consulting services that keep your business on course. Our team has gained the expertise necessary to advise you on compliance and suggest ways to improve your systems.