EHS manager
The role of an EHS manager is to ensure that a company or organization complies with environmental, health, and safety regulations and standards, and to promote a safe and healthy workplace for employees. This involves developing and implementing policies and programs, conducting risk assessments, providing training and education, investigating incidents, auditing and inspecting, coordinating with regulatory agencies, and managing EHS teams and resources.
The responsibilities of an EHS manager may vary depending on the organization, but generally include:
- Developing, implementing, and managing EHS policies and programs to ensure compliance with regulations and standards.
- Conducting risk assessments to identify potential hazards and developing strategies to mitigate those risks.
- Providing training and education to employees on EHS topics, including workplace safety, hazardous materials handling, and emergency response.
- Investigating accidents, incidents, and near-misses to determine the cause and prevent future occurrences.
- Conducting audits and inspections to ensure compliance with EHS regulations and standards.
- Developing and maintaining emergency response plans and procedures.
- Coordinating with regulatory agencies and industry groups to stay up-to-date on EHS regulations and best practices.
- Participating in the design and implementation of new processes, equipment, and facilities to ensure EHS compliance.
- Managing EHS budgets and resources to effectively address EHS risks and concerns.
- Leading and managing EHS teams to ensure that all EHS programs and activities are effectively carried out.
The EHS manager plays a critical role in ensuring the safety and well-being of employees, protecting the environment, and maintaining compliance with regulations and standards.
The Critical Role of an EHS Manager
- Running the safety and health management program
- Performing industrial hygiene activities or working with industrial hygienists
- Performing job hazard analyses
- Performing incident investigations
- Helping run safety committees
- Ensuring that environmental, health, and safety training is delivered
- Ensuring EHS regulatory compliance
- Performing worksite walkthroughs and safety observations
- Implementing controls for identified hazards, often by using the hierarchy of controls
- Performing risk management duties
- Gathering and analysing EHS leading and lagging indicators
- Helping to improve human and operational performance
Each role is described in brief:
Running the safety and health management program:
This involves overseeing the development and implementation of a comprehensive safety and health management program that is designed to protect employees from workplace hazards and comply with relevant regulatory requirements. To do this, an EHS professional may need to work with other departments within the organization, such as human resources, operations, and legal, to ensure that the program is integrated into the company’s overall operations. For example, the EHS professional may need to work with human resources to ensure that employees are properly trained in safety procedures and that the program is included in employee onboarding and performance evaluation processes.
Performing industrial hygiene activities or working with industrial hygienists:
Industrial hygiene is a complex field that involves identifying and evaluating a wide range of workplace hazards, such as exposure to chemicals, noise, or radiation. An EHS professional working in this area may need to use specialized equipment to measure levels of exposure to these hazards and may need to work with industrial hygienists to interpret the results and develop strategies for minimizing exposure. For example, an EHS professional might conduct air monitoring to measure levels of a particular chemical in the air and work with an industrial hygienist to develop ventilation strategies or personal protective equipment requirements to minimize exposure.
Performing job hazard analyses:
Job hazard analysis is a systematic process for identifying and evaluating potential hazards associated with a particular job or task. This involves breaking down the job into its individual components, identifying potential hazards at each step, and developing strategies for minimizing or eliminating those hazards. An EHS professional working in this area may need to work with managers and employees to identify potential hazards and develop control strategies. For example, an EHS professional might work with a team of employees to conduct a job hazard analysis of a complex manufacturing process and develop procedures for minimizing the risks associated with the process.
Performing incident investigations:
Incident investigations are an essential tool for identifying the root causes of workplace incidents, such as injuries or property damage, and developing strategies for preventing similar incidents from occurring in the future. An EHS professional working in this area may need to work with a cross-functional team to conduct a thorough investigation, which may involve interviewing witnesses, reviewing relevant documents, and analyzing data. For example, an EHS professional might investigate an incident in which an employee was injured while operating a piece of machinery and identify the root cause as a lack of training or inadequate guarding on the machine.
Helping run safety committees:
Safety committees are a key tool for engaging employees and managers in the development and implementation of workplace safety programs. An EHS professional working in this area may need to work with the committee to develop agendas, identify areas of concern, and develop strategies for addressing those concerns. For example, an EHS professional might work with a safety committee to develop a training program on safe lifting techniques and ensure that the program is effectively communicated to all employees.
Ensuring that environmental, health, and safety training is delivered:
Training is a critical component of any workplace safety program, as it provides employees with the knowledge and skills they need to perform their jobs safely. An EHS professional working in this area may need to develop training materials, conduct training sessions, and evaluate the effectiveness of the training. For example, an EHS professional might develop a training program on the safe operation of a new piece of machinery and evaluate the effectiveness of the program by monitoring employee performance and conducting follow-up training sessions as needed.
Ensuring EHS regulatory compliance:
Compliance with environmental, health, and safety regulations is a critical component of any workplace safety program, as failure to comply with regulations can result in fines, legal liability, and damage to the company’s reputation. An EHS professional working in this area may need to stay up to date on relevant regulations, develop
compliance plans, and ensure that the company is meeting all regulatory requirements. For example, an EHS professional might need to ensure that the company is properly storing and disposing of hazardous waste in
compliance with applicable regulations.Performing worksite walkthroughs and safety observations:
Worksites walkthroughs and safety observations are essential tools for identifying potential hazards and assessing the effectiveness of workplace safety programs. An EHS professional working in this area may need to conduct regular inspections of worksites, document any hazards identified, and work with managers and employees to develop strategies for addressing those hazards. For example, an EHS professional might conduct a walkthrough of a construction site to identify potential fall hazards and work with the project team to develop strategies for minimizing those hazards.
Implementing controls for identified hazards, often by using the hierarchy of controls:
The hierarchy of controls is a widely recognized framework for addressing workplace hazards. The hierarchy consists of five levels of control, ranging from eliminating the hazard entirely to providing personal protective equipment to employees. An EHS professional working in this area may need to identify the most effective control measures for addressing identified hazards and work with managers and employees to implement those measures. For example, an EHS professional might identify a noise hazard in a manufacturing facility and work with the engineering team to implement engineering controls, such as noise barriers or soundproofing, to minimize the hazard.
Performing risk management duties:
Risk management involves identifying and evaluating potential risks to the organization, developing strategies for mitigating those risks, and monitoring the effectiveness of those strategies. An EHS professional working in this area may need to develop risk management plans, conduct risk assessments, and work with managers and employees to implement risk management strategies. For example, an EHS professional might identify a potential fire hazard in a chemical manufacturing facility and work with the facility team to implement fire prevention strategies, such as installing fire suppression systems and conducting regular fire drills.
Gathering and analysing EHS leading and lagging indicators:
Leading indicators are proactive measures that can help organizations identify potential hazards before they occur, while lagging indicators are reactive measures that track the effectiveness of safety programs after an incident has occurred. An EHS professional working in this area may need to gather and analyse both types of indicators to identify trends, evaluate the effectiveness of safety programs, and develop strategies for improving safety performance. For example, an EHS professional might track the number of safety-related near misses in a manufacturing facility as a leading indicator of potential hazards and track the number of injuries as a lagging indicator of safety performance.
Helping to improve human and operational performance:
Workplace safety is closely tied to overall human and operational performance, as employees who feel safe and supported are more likely to be productive and engaged. An EHS professional working in this area may need to work with managers and employees to develop strategies for improving safety culture, employee engagement, and overall organizational performance. For example, an EHS professional might work with a team of managers to develop a safety recognition program that rewards employees for exhibiting safe behaviours and contributes to a positive safety culture within the organization.
Protecting Employees and the Environment
As companies increasingly recognize the importance of environmental, health, and safety (EHS) practices, the role of an EHS manager has become more important than ever. EHS managers are responsible for ensuring that their organization complies with regulatory requirements, minimizes risks to employee health and safety, and protects the environment.
One of the primary responsibilities of an EHS manager is running the safety and health management program. This program encompasses a variety of activities, including performing job hazard analyses, conducting incident investigations, running safety committees, and ensuring that environmental, health, and safety training is delivered. By coordinating these activities, an EHS manager can help identify potential hazards and develop strategies for mitigating them, thereby reducing the risk of accidents and injuries in the workplace.
In addition to managing safety and health programs, an EHS manager is also responsible for ensuring regulatory compliance. This may involve staying up-to-date on relevant regulations, developing compliance plans, and ensuring that the company is meeting all regulatory requirements. Failure to comply with these regulations can result in significant fines and legal penalties, as well as reputational damage for the company.
Another critical responsibility of an EHS manager is implementing controls for identified hazards, often by using the hierarchy of controls. The hierarchy of controls is a framework for addressing workplace hazards that consists of five levels of control, ranging from eliminating the hazard entirely to providing personal protective equipment to employees. An EHS manager must identify the most effective control measures for addressing identified hazards and work with managers and employees to implement those measures.
Furthermore, an EHS manager is also responsible for performing risk management duties, which involves identifying and evaluating potential risks to the organization, developing strategies for mitigating those risks, and monitoring the effectiveness of those strategies. This may involve conducting risk assessments and working with managers and employees to implement risk management strategies.
Finally, an EHS manager is responsible for helping to improve human and operational performance. Workplace safety is closely tied to overall human and operational performance, as employees who feel safe and supported are more likely to be productive and engaged. EHS managers must work with managers and employees to develop strategies for improving safety culture, employee engagement, and overall organizational performance.
In conclusion, EHS managers play a critical role in protecting employees and the environment, as well as ensuring regulatory compliance and improving overall organizational performance. As companies increasingly recognize the importance of EHS practices, the role of an EHS manager has become more important than ever. Companies that prioritize EHS management and support their EHS managers are more likely to achieve long-term success and sustainability.
