What is Environment, Health and Safety?
EHS is an acronym of Environment, Health and Safety.
EHS often refers to the management of these three key areas within an organization to ensure compliance with regulations, reduce risks, and improve overall performance.
In the organizational context:
- Environment refers to the organization's impact on the natural environment through waste, pollution and energy consumption.
- Health referred to reducing the risk of injuries at the workplace.
- Safety refer to protecting employees and others from harm and reducing risks in the workplace.
What is an EHS Management System?
An EHS Management System is an integrated, holistic approach to managing the EHS aspects of an organization's operations.
An EHS Management System often consists of the following elements:
- Policy and commitment: Establishing a written policy that outlines the organization's commitment to EHSQ performance and compliance with relevant regulations and standards.
- Risk assessment and management: Identifying potential hazards and risks associated with the organization's operations and implementing measures to control and mitigate those risks.
- Compliance management: Ensuring compliance with applicable laws, regulations, and standards related to environmental, health, safety, and quality.
- Training and communication: Providing training and communication programs to employees and other stakeholders to ensure they are aware of the organization's EHS policies, procedures, and expectations.
- Performance monitoring and reporting: Measuring and reporting on the organization's EHS performance to identify areas for improvement and track progress over time.
- Continuous improvement: Implementing processes to continuously improve the organization's EHS performance and meet evolving regulations and stakeholder expectations.
Implementing an EHS management system can help organizations reduce risks, avoid legal and regulatory penalties, enhance reputation, and improve overall performance.
ISO Certification
Many organizations choose to implement an EHS management system that conforms to ISO 14001 for environmental management and/or ISO 45001 for occupational health and safety management.