10.2 How to Improve your EHS performance

There are always opportunities to improve your organizations Health and Safety if you take a Holistic approach of your organizations activities. Aim For Optimum EHS measures don’t get stuck with minimum or adequate – Improve today.

Opportunities for Continuous improvement can include;-

1. Signage and notices to remind staff and contractors that EHS policy is a priority.

2. Product design and information

3. Audits and EHS performance monitoring.

4. Incident and near miss reports

5. Updating procedures and check sheets – not left on the shelve.

6. Staff training and importantly feedback

7. Supervisor Refresher sessions – understand challenges.

8. Premises upgrades like lighting and welfare facilities

9. Upgrade equipment used – Preventive maintenance schedules prevents critical equipment failures

10 Upgrade IT and adapt to using AI tools like dashboards, predictive incident tracking, or EHS performance analytics.

11. “Using AI to Drive EHS Improvements” – Ask the right prompts and supply the the data in confidence with OpenAI ChatGPT.

12. Review job descriptions and competencies.

Bringing in an experienced and respected EHS Consultant to overview and identify opportunities to improve your SMS;-

1. Brings experience from other organizations and contacts

2. An independent approach – not subject to association.

3. A good communicator.

4. Review the IRS in an organization – who does what.

5. Make recommendations at leadership and board level for a Health and safety qualified Director and Board members

Essential reasons to hold a team pre work-meeting are too ;-

1. Assemble and introduce the team members and supervisors

2. Establish clear lines of communications

3. Identify roles and responsibilities

4. Introduce company procedures, permits and check sheets.

5. Detail a maintained equipment list including PPE, lifting, barriers etc.

6. Receive feedback from the team on procedures and hazard controls

7. Encourage inclusion and a active Safety culture

8. Emphasize the relevant components of the managements SMS

Note – Time is never wasted by having a team meeting, time will be saved through better communications and coordination, not forgetting the time lost to due any incident.

Here’s how this approach could be structured to include important elements for safe working

Competency Assessment: Start by assessing the worker’s competency in the specific task or situation they are about to undertake. This could involve evaluating their training, experience, and qualifications relevant to the task.
Supervision Requirements: Outline the level of supervision required for the task. This could include the presence of a supervisor or mentor who can provide guidance and oversight to ensure the task is performed safely.
Company Procedures: Detail the specific company procedures and protocols that must be followed when undertaking the task. This could include step-by-step instructions, safety checklists, and any other relevant documentation.
Detailed Safety Management System (SMS): Highlighting how the task aligns with the organization’s overall approach to health and safety. This could involve referencing relevant policies, procedures, responsibilities and risk management strategies outlined in your SMS.
Incident Reporting and Investigation:Emphasize the importance of incident reporting and investigation processes. Workers would be reminded of their responsibility to report any near misses, environmental issues or hazardous conditions encountered during the task.
A case for a safety case (page 5.1), Would tie all these elements together, emphasizing the importance of considering the holistic safety picture. It would reinforce the idea that safety is not just about following individual rules and procedures but understanding how all the elements interact to create a safer team working environment.

Plain Sailing, have the wind in your sails.