A Comprehensive Guide to Environmental Health and Safety

Have you ever wondered how businesses can operate safely while minimizing their environmental impact? 

The answer is in Environmental Health and Safety (EHS), a collection of practices to protect people from workplace hazards, protect the environment, and promote sustainability. 

This comprehensive guide explores the world of EHS by examining its main principles, benefits, and best practices. 

Whether you are a business owner, an employee, or someone interested in protecting the planet, this guide will provide valuable knowledge.

Basic Principles of Environmental Health and Safety

EHS is based on three fundamental pillars that work together to create a safe, healthy, and sustainable environment.

1. Environmental Protection

This includes protecting the environment from pollution and destruction caused by human activities. 

Here are some important strategies for practising environmental protection:

• Pollution prevention and control

The focus here is to minimize the generation of pollutants at the source. This includes using less toxic materials in production processes, improving efficiency, reducing waste generation, and finding clean alternatives. 

For example, paint manufacturers may reformulate their products to remove volatile organic compounds (VOCs) that cause smog.

• Waste Management

Proper storage, maintenance, treatment, and waste disposal are very important to protect the environment. This applies to both dangerous and non-dangerous goods.

Hazardous wastes, such as chemicals and used medical devices, require special handling and disposal methods to prevent soil, water, and air pollution.

Non-hazardous waste such as paper and cardboard should be recycled whenever possible to conserve resources and reduce the burden on landfills.

 

• Sustainable business practices

Incorporating environmental awareness into the whole business cycle and following best practices in the environment is getting more and more important. The shift to cross-sectoral instruments, modulating emissions of greenhouse gases through reducing dependence on fossil fuels and utilizing solar and wind power, is notable in many companies.

Also, saving water by using efficient irrigation systems and recycled materials for packaging is one of the methods a business might use to become a more sustainable operation.

Environment regulations are a key factor on the side of regulations on a business, and they play a role in ensuring that businesses comply with these practices. 

The Federal Environmental Protection Agency (FEPA) protects, restores, and preserves the ecosystem of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. Still, the National Environmental Standards and Regulations Enforcement Agency (NESREA) Act 2007 replaced the Federal Environmental Protection Agency Act (FEPA) 1988. 

It is administered by the Federal Ministry of Environment to protect and promote the sustainable development of the environment and its natural resources.

There are different regulations under NESREA:

• National Effluent Limitation Regulation requires industry facilities to have anti-pollution equipment for effluent treatment.
• National Environment Protection (Pollution Abatement in Industries and Facilities Producing Waste) Regulations (1991) prevent the release of hazardous substances into Nigeria’s air, land, or water beyond approved limits set by the Agency.
• Federal Solid and Hazardous Waste Management Regulations (1991): This act compels industries to identify hazardous wastes that are dangerous to public health and the environment and to research the possibility of recycling them.

These policies allow these companies’ activities within a structure that safeguards the environment from any harm.

2. Occupational health and safety

The next element of the policy plan on occupational health and safety is an effort towards providing a safe and comfortable place of work for the employees.

Here’s a breakdown of how this is achieved:

• Identifying workplace hazards

The first part of responsible safety procedures involves identifying job site hazards. These physical risks (tripping, slipping, accidents from heights, exposure to temperatures that are too high or too cold, working for too long in noisy environments), chemical (toxic substances, irritants, and carcinogens), or biological (viral, bacterial, or allergic), can be encountered at the workplace.

A construction site, for instance, may have falling objects or electric hazards as the main dangers, whereas a chemical plant involves workers being exposed to hazardous chemicals as the biggest risk.

• Risk Assessment and Mitigation

After examining hazards, the next procedure is to evaluate the level of danger and possibility they pose, respectively. Identifying and determining the level of risks a substance poses to the health, safety, and environment of the intended target is commonly referred to as risk assessment, a crucial element of a risk management plan. 

Prevention can be done through engineering (ventilation systems to collect dust or gases), work practice control (safety operations, permit systems), or by using personal protection equipment (PPE).

For example, factories that use noisy machinery may implement engineering controls such as sound barriers. Workers may be required to use earplugs or noise-cancelling headphones as personal protective equipment if these are insufficient.

• Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)

PPE is the last line of defence against workplace hazards. This includes equipment designed to protect specific parts of the body from potential hazards, such as gloves, goggles, respirators, safety shoes, and full-body clothing. Proper selection and use of PPE are critical to employee safety.

• Creating a safe work environment

This includes developing and implementing safety protocols, conducting regular safety inspections, and promoting a culture of safety awareness among employees. Safety protocols may include lockout/tagout procedures for maintenance machinery and specific protocols for handling hazardous materials.

Regular inspections help identify and address potential hazards before accidents occur. Most importantly, fostering a safety culture encourages employees to identify and report hazards proactively, making safety a priority in their daily work.

The British Association for Occupational Safety and Health, commonly known as the “OSHA Association,”  is registered in Nigeria as the Occupational Safety and Health Association of Nigeria.

The association has local chapters in many federation states, including the Federal Capital Territory of Nigeria, all of which are supported by a national secretariat in Abuja, Nigeria. These chapters are committed to promoting best practices in occupational safety, health, security, and environment in grassroots communities in collaboration with several national and international non-governmental organizations involved in the safety of life and property in Nigeria.

3. Health and Safety Program

Our effective EHS record, although a main pillar of protecting the environment and employee health, is also a result of our proactive measures to address those two aspects. Here’s why it’s important to have an official plan:

Here’s why it’s important to have an official plan:

• Documented procedures

The documentation of such an ESH program is the main factor that lets this scheme be well outlined, i.e., with the mission of ensuring the clarity of hazard identifications, risk assessment, safety work practices, and emergency procedures. 

A roadmap or a plan to be constructed will form a basis upon which the rest of your staff can base their roles and obligations concerning environmental health and safety.

• Training and communication

Worker education is achieved through routine training on EHS standards, the most reliable PPE applications, and emergency response plans.

It prompts people on how to avert risks, updates them on safety measures, and informs them about any changes in proceedings.

The better your employees are equipped with information, the safer the decisions they can make and the precautions they will take.

Read Also: EMERGENCY BUSINESS PLAN : HOW TO PREPARE ONE

• Accident reporting and investigation

An effective EHS program here has protocols that facilitate reporting accidents, injuries, and almost non-fatal accidents. By exploring these cases, we find the whole scope of factors that helped in the incidence occurrence and measure those factors to prevent similar incidents in the future. 

An open culture of reporting without fear of retribution and safe channels to submit reports are key elements of a well-designed incident reporting system.

Benefits of a Strong Environmental Health and Safety Program

Now that we’ve gone over the basic principles of the EHS program let’s discuss in detail the tangible advantages that implementing a good EHS program would bring.

1. Minimizing the risk of accidents and injuries

Environmental Health and Safety programs often play a big part in preventing workplace accidents and injuries since they introduce initiatives to proactively look for hazards, train workers, and shape an environment where safety is integral to company culture.

Apart from that, the well-being of your personnel will not be affected. Indeed, the company’s operating efficiency and expenses will also be preserved.

2. Improve employee health and well-being.

People safety programs are widely recognized, not just for the protection of employees at work but also for other objectives. 

In addition, we attentively create a safe working environment for our staff with measures such as air ventilation, good job positioning, and individual protective gear. This may also result in enhanced workforce health, decreased absences from work, and lowered healthcare costs for employers and employees.

3. Strengthen compliance with regulations.

Did it ever occur to you what might be the consequences for a company that brings up the standards of the Environmental Health and Safety rules? 

Consequently, such offences are extremely dangerous, including penalties, fines, production shutdowns, and even crime charges.

A proper and robust EHS program helps companies meet regulatory requirements and no longer have to experience these high-cost consequences.

4. Improve brand reputation

Nowadays, buyers seek out companies that have a reputation for acting responsibly. By pledging to protect the environment and safeguard employee well-being, a visible element of the organization’s EHS program, a corporate organization can enjoy an overwhelming brand reputation.

This achieves both internal and external development, thereby retaining long-term customers, attracting global talent, and becoming a power of reckoning in the market arena.

5. Reducing costs by preventing accidents and decreasing downtime

Given that the positive economic impacts of EHS go beyond the case of fines, the next point should be stated. It ensures the reduction of medical expenses and workers’ compensation claims, as fewer accidents are experienced.

Furthermore, these programs are important because efficiency and costs are reduced, while accidents that destroy used equipment and interrupt production are avoided. According to research, organizations with enhanced EHS programs demonstrate lower average insurance premiums and workers’ compensation claim frequency.

Here’s a real-world example.

A major petrochemical company installed an entire EHS program to elevate safety levels and employee training skills.

Consequently, the number of accidents has drastically reduced in the workplace; thus, the resultant expenses for treatment have gone down about tenfold with a higher level of productivity. Besides economic gain to the company, this has created a friendly, safe, and healthy workplace for workers.

6. Improved employee morale

When employees feel safe and valued by the employer’s commitment to safety and well-being, morale and job satisfaction improve.

7. Increase innovation

A safe and healthy work environment fosters a culture of creativity and innovation because employees feel empowered to take calculated risks and explore new ideas.

8. Strengthening relationships with stakeholders

EHS initiatives demonstrate a company’s responsibility to its employees, environment, and communities. It can strengthen relationships with stakeholders such as investors, regulators, and community groups.

Read Also: Why a Health and safety training for companies in Lagos and Nigeria is the way to go.

How do I implement an Environmental Health and Safety program?

Imagine you’re ready to take action and implement an EHS program in your workplace. Here is a summary of the main steps to get started:

1. Conduct a workplace risk assessment.

We already mentioned this, but it’s very important because it forms the basis of your plan. Think of it as police work. You must identify all potential hazards in your workplace. Here it is:

• Walk-the-Walk

Do a comprehensive inspection of the entire facility. Look for trip hazards such as uneven floors or loose cables, ensure adequate ventilation to prevent exposure to harmful fumes, and identify slip and fall hazard areas.

• Research the safety data sheet.

Remember the chemical hazards. Check the Safety Data Sheets (SDS) for all chemicals used in your workplace. These documents provide information on chemical properties, potential health hazards, and safe shipping methods.

• Employee expertise

Employees are a valuable source of information. They know the ins and outs of daily operations and the risks they may face. Conduct interviews and surveys to gather input on workplace safety concerns.

2. Develop and implement safety procedures.

Once you’ve identified a hazard, develop a plan to address it. This includes creating clear, concise safety procedures that outline safe work methods for various tasks.

• Think Specific

Include specific techniques in the learning process. Target them separately at the particular hazards that have to do with every job or task. 

• Keep it clear and concise.

It requires creating guidelines that the staff will follow. Use plain text, eschew technical terms where possible, and include visuals like diagrams or flowcharts where applicable.

• Train your team.

The written procedures, in fact, are only the beginning of the accomplishment which is needed. Comprehensive safety training should be offered to employees in the context of their work, and the scope of it should be based on the kinds of jobs they undertake.

The training should thus be dynamic and eye-catching and deal with any issues or concerns raised by staff.

3. Providing employee training on Environmental Health and Safety practices

Training was introduced in the previous step, but now it’s called for an extra section, which is essential. Training and education for every employee in employee health and safety (EHS) is needed for the program’s success.

• Go beyond the basics.

Training should not be treated as a one-way activity. Ensure that employees update their knowledge about safety procedures and emergency response protocols regularly and share with them the best practices for detecting and eliminating hazards.

Emergency Response Africa is one of the best platforms that can offer your team with up-to-date emergency response protocols and workplace safety procedures training.

• Variety is the spice of safety.

Don’t let safety training be boring or binding; demonstrate your commitment as an example to others. Mix training methods, including classroom instructions, practical application techniques with videos, or even simulations, to sustain employees’ attention and enable them to grasp knowledge more effectively.

• Empower your employees.

Promote a safety culture where workers feel that they can talk about unsafe work environments, ask questions, or, in their own words, point out or ask about risky work conditions without fear. This kind of open communication plays a pivotal role in reducing accidents and achieving a safer environment.

4. Monitoring Compliance and Program Effectiveness

The style of an Environmental Health and Safety program is not to be rigidly followed. As monitoring is done periodically, it would help to point out the areas that need strengthening or improvement.

• Inspections Matter

Regular checks should be conducted to evaluate the existence of hazards and employees` adherence to the established protocols. They compare them to planned or surprise inspections to have thorough control over everything.

• Incident Investigation

Accidents occur, however, leading to the necessity of safety programs, even the best ones. First and foremost, the key point is to profit from them. Investigate all the incidents to reveal the underlying conditions and eliminate them, thereby mitigating accident recurrence.

• Performance Metrics

Determine the indicators, such as the number of accidents, near misses, and employee participation in undertaking safety training, which measure the effectiveness of the behavioural modification program. Tracking these measures will tell you whether your strategy is efficient and find the aspects where improvements are needed.

This process can be done by involving all parties concerned to create a safety awareness culture. A strong and effective EHS program will keep your employees, the environment, and your business from harm.

Conclusion

Environmental Health and Safety (EHS) might seem complex. Still, it boils down to a simple idea: preserving people and the environment whose oceans and landscapes we depend on. 

By applying EHS measures, companies can do their business responsibly, reduce their environmental footprints, and provide a secure working environment for their employees. Through their involvement day-to-day in EHS, these people will contribute to a more environmentally friendly Nigeria.

Do not fail to keep in mind that a secure place to work is combined with a healthy environment. 

Let us incorporate the principles of the Environmental Health and Safety and take action that would see us turn Nigeria into a place that can give people space to survive and the environment to thrive.