#267
Managing Environment, Health, and Safety (EHS) isn’t just about ticking boxes or meeting compliance standards anymore. It’s about weaving safety and operational excellence into the fabric of an organization. Yet, there are 10 major concerns that keep popping up, threatening EHS effectiveness. Let’s break them down, explore why they’re happening, and suggest practical remedies to get things back on track.
1. Decline of Hands-On EHS Experts with an Integrated Approach
Why It Happens: EHS used to be a standalone function, but now it’s deeply tied to operational excellence. Many EHS pros lack the hands-on, cradle-to-grave mindset needed to align safety with operations. Some focus only on compliance, missing the bigger picture, while others lack the practical experience to connect EHS with day-to-day operations.
What Can Be Done:
- Hire and Train for Integration: Recruit EHS professionals with operational experience or train existing ones to understand production processes.
- Mentorship Programs: Pair younger EHS pros with seasoned operational leaders to learn the ropes.
- Cross-Functional Projects: Involve EHS teams in operational excellence initiatives to build a holistic approach.
2. Low Employee Engagement and Motivation
Why It Happens: About 70% of employees see their job as a grind, not a purpose. This disengagement stems from poor workplace culture, lack of recognition, or feeling disconnected from the organization’s goals. Disengaged workers make errors, leading to safety incidents and operational hiccups.
What Can Be Done:
- Build a Safety Culture: Regularly communicate how EHS contributes to everyone’s well-being and the company’s success.
- Recognition Programs: Reward employees who actively participate in safety initiatives or report near-misses.
- Engage Through Involvement: Involve employees in safety committees or risk assessments to give them ownership.
3. Training as a Checkbox, Not a Priority
Why It Happens: Training is often rushed or treated as a formality to meet compliance. There’s little focus on needs analysis, and consequences of deviations are rarely discussed. Ad-hoc sessions fail to address real-world challenges employees face.
What Can Be Done:
- Conduct Needs Assessments: Identify specific training gaps through surveys or incident data.
- Make Training Practical: Use real-life scenarios and hands-on drills to make sessions engaging and relevant.
- Highlight Consequences: Show case studies of what happens when procedures aren’t followed to drive home the stakes.
4. Rising Mental Health Issues
Why It Happens: Economic pressures, social isolation, and over-reliance on digital devices have spiked mental health challenges, especially among younger workers raised in nuclear families with less human connection. Stressed or distracted employees are more prone to errors and accidents.
What Can Be Done:
- Mental Health Programs: Offer counseling, stress management workshops, or employee assistance programs (EAPs).
- Foster Connection: Encourage team-building activities and open communication to rebuild a sense of community.
- Flexible Policies: Provide work-life balance options like flexible hours to ease stress.
5. Poor Understanding of Risk Assessments and Systems
Why It Happens: Employees often follow procedures without grasping their purpose, leading to a “just do it” mentality. This stems from complex jargon, lack of clear communication, or inadequate training on why systems exist.
What Can Be Done:
- Simplify Communication: Break down risk assessments and procedures into clear, jargon-free language.
- Explain the ‘Why’: Show how systems prevent incidents using real examples or visuals.
- Regular Refresher Sessions: Reinforce the purpose of EHS systems through short, frequent training.
6. Rising Near-Misses and At-Risk Behaviors
Why It Happens: Near-misses, first-aid incidents, and risky behaviors are spiking, but rapid problem-solving is absent. This could be due to a lack of reporting culture, fear of blame, or no clear process to address these issues before they escalate.
What Can Be Done:
- Encourage Reporting: Create a no-blame culture where near-miss reporting is rewarded.
- Root Cause Analysis: Train teams to quickly analyze near-misses and implement fixes.
- Track Trends: Use data to spot patterns in at-risk behaviors and target them with focused interventions.
7. Lack of Visible Felt Leadership
Why It Happens: Leaders often prioritize production over EHS, spending less time on the shop floor or engaging with teams on safety. This sends a message that EHS isn’t a priority, reducing trust and accountability.
What Can Be Done:
- Walk the Floor: Leaders should regularly visit work areas, talk to employees, and observe EHS practices.
- Lead by Example: Demonstrate commitment by participating in safety drills or training.
- Set Clear Expectations: Make EHS a key performance indicator for all levels of leadership.
8. Weak Corrective and Preventive Actions
Why It Happens: Corrective and preventive actions are often superficial, like quick fixes that don’t address root causes. This happens due to time pressures, lack of expertise, or no follow-up to ensure actions work.
What Can Be Done:
- Deep-Dive Analysis: Use tools like 5-Why or Fishbone diagrams to uncover root causes.
- Assign Ownership: Ensure clear accountability for implementing and monitoring actions.
- Follow-Up Audits: Regularly check if actions are effective and adjust as needed.
9. Over-Reliance on Qualifications, Not Expertise
Why It Happens: Fancy degrees and certifications don’t always translate to practical EHS expertise. Many professionals lack the field experience to tackle real issues, preferring theoretical or “suit-and-tie” approaches over getting their hands dirty.
What Can Be Done:
- Value Experience: Prioritize hiring or promoting EHS pros with proven field experience.
- Encourage Fieldwork: Require EHS teams to spend time on the shop floor to understand operational challenges.
- Continuous Learning: Promote ongoing training in practical problem-solving over chasing credentials.
10. Production Prioritized Over Safety
Why It Happens: Despite EHS advancements, production deadlines often trump safety. This is driven by short-term financial pressures or leaders not seeing safety as a driver of long-term success.
What Can Be Done:
- Align Goals: Show how safety boosts productivity by reducing downtime from incidents.
- Leadership Commitment: Train leaders to balance production and safety through data-driven decisions.
- Incentivize Safety: Tie bonuses or performance reviews to EHS outcomes, not just output.
Wrapping It Up
These 10 factors highlight a disconnect between EHS goals and workplace realities. The good news? Each has practical fixes that don’t require a complete overhaul. By fostering engagement, simplifying systems, and prioritizing leadership, EHS can truly become a cornerstone of operational excellence. Start small, focus on one or two areas, and build momentum. Safety isn’t just a goal—it’s the foundation of a thriving workplace.
Karthik
1/5/25 12 Noon.
PS: Shawn Galloway blog created the thinking seed.
Health, Environment, Safety, Sustainability (HESS) 