More than 70% of the workplaces are vulnerable to EHS risks. To mitigate it, risk management should be the priority. EHS risk management is a process that keeps the employees, employer, and environment safe within an organization. From protecting the people and environment to avoiding legal liabilities and severe accidents, this process is non-negotiable for every organization.
However, understanding it in detail and crafting an implementable risk management plan is difficult. In this blog, we will dive deep into what risk management is, how to develop an RMP, and what are some frameworks around it.
Understanding EHS Risk Management:
Every organization impacts the environment, health, and safety of its employees and people around them. Because of the usage of hazardous products or dangerous working procedures, the risk increases. So, risk management in EHS should be prioritized.
But what is it? EHS risk management is a process that systematically identifies risks associated with the environment, health, and safety, assesses vulnerabilities and prepares a plan to mitigate or control them.
It can involve regulatory compliance, implementing policies to prevent accidents, etc. Besides, it also refers to using products or applying procedures to ensure minimum negative impact on the environment. However, the EHS risk management process is not only about an organization keeping its surroundings safe. It also involves other way round benefits.
For instance, it prevents any serious legal liabilities for the organization, reduces the cost of serious hazards, etc. Moreover, to ensure a healthy and safe environment within an organization, EHS and risk management are crucial.
Why is EHS Risk Management Important?
Compliance with the best guidelines doesn’t ensure safety as they define only the minimum standards. That’s why only a customized risk management system can ensure its success. More than 75% of the EHS leaders consider risk management to be a top factor in this success. But why is it so important?
With a proactive approach towards risk management in EHS, you can minimize risks associated with pollution resource allocation, etc.
Unnecessary accidents, health hazards, and environmental problems can increase the cost, leading to lesser profits. However, by utilizing a comprehensive EHS risk management plan, you can proactively minimize potential threats before they arise.
- Enhanced credibility of your organization
By complying with various standards and guidelines, you enhance the credibility of your organization. Also, because of a lower risk profile, people would want to work with you and buy from you. Moreover, by prioritizing EHS and risk management, you are building the reputation of your organization in the market.
How to Develop an EHS Risk Management Plan?
A wholesome risk management plan should involve risk identification, risk assessment, and ways to mitigate or control it. Here is a step-by-step process.
- Risk Identification
Actively search for anything that can cause problems for people and the environment around them. It can be a chemical you use in your process, ergonomic hazards, physical problems like slippery surfaces, etc.
Once you have identified the risk, analyze the likelihood of its occurrence.
After that, evaluate the identified risks. High-impact hazards require immediate attention.
When you have identified the risk, analyzed its occurrence probability, and classified it into high-impact and low-impact risks, it is time to control it. But how?
- Complete elimination from the organization. However, it is not always possible.
- Replacing it with some more suitable options. For instance, you can use an environment-friendly ingredient instead of chemicals.
- You can install ventilation systems and machine guards to decrease exposure to hazards.
- Make changes in your policies and SOPs. Implement safe working standards.
- In case of hazardous working processes, provide PPE kits.
No matter how much effort you put into developing a risk management plan for this, it will never be sufficient. So, regular monitoring of the plan, checking its relevance, and updating it is crucial.
ISO 14001 Framework
This framework is an internationally agreed standard for environmental management systems (EMS). This framework acts as a guide for organizations in designing and implementing EMS. Besides, regular monitoring and reviewing help improve their environmental performance.
In this era of serious environmental concerns like climate change, biodiversity loss, desertification, etc., this guideline is a comprehensive approach, making it easier for organizations. ISO 14001 is different from other environmental guidelines and frameworks. But how? It provides a wholesome approach towards EMS involving all aspects of an organization’s environmental impact. Besides, it includes various tools to help organizations improve their EMS.
Final Words
An organization should be conscious of its impact on the environment and the people around it. To develop a customized EHS risk management plan for your organization, you can use comprehensive EHS compliance services. Besides, you can use technology, tools mentioned in ISO 14001, etc., to ensure compliance with various EHS guidelines. Take charge of the safety of your organization now!
