What are some of the old cliches in our line of work? The faster I go the farther I get behind! It seems like I take one step forward and three steps backward! I feel like I am in a rat race and the rats are winning! Well it is time to change all that and take control! It sounds simple but seems difficult. There is no doubt that with the proper planning, understanding of the process, use of an effective evaluation system, action plans, follow-up, monitoring status and management support, it can happen.
Safety professionals always have and always will have more to do that we have time to accomplish our routine tasks in and still have a family life. We continually have to justify our position and existence to management. This is where a unique but very comprehensive evaluation system can be of great assistance and it is referred to as the Environmental, Health and Safety (EHS) Evaluation System. As you will see from the following presentation, it covers all of the key Occupational, Safety, and Health Act (OSHA) program elements in significant detail. These elements are the same ones you should have already addressed. You really cannot afford not to assess where your program stands on each of these elements and where you would like for your EHS process to be in the short and long term.
The first step in a significant step change of an existing EHS culture is to assess your organization's mission, vision and goals. You have to know what your company's direction is. Evaluate where your company is at present from a mission and vision standpoint. Do employees really understand what the mission and vision is and do they fully embrace it. It may be that you need to re-access this and do some refresher training. Many employees view the mission and vision as "warm and fuzzy nonsense" and may need a little clarification from a safety professional to obtain true buy-in. The goals logically follow from the mission and vision. You have to understand what your company goals are from an EHS standpoint. Do you have a "zero injury culture" or are you just going through the motions? Some small group meetings or one on one meeting may be the only real way to determine this.
This paper will take a look at the traditional EHS Management and Measurement systems. It will also look how EHS can be treated as a process with some insights as to how the management of the process can be changed. The importance placed on responsibility and accountability will be emphasized and addressed. The prioritization of EHS functions and activities will be discussed in detail and the EHS Systems Status Report that is used for measurement of progress will be reviewed.
