Environmental health & safety management can be highly challenging for small and medium enterprises (SMEs) to navigate.
Injecting myths into the equation only makes it more complicated. Misconceptions often cause individuals to focus on the wrong things. False information regarding environmental and safety program matters can prompt poor decisions, leading to non-compliance.
EH&S management myths often damage an operation. But debunking these untruths can put the operation back on the path to success. This post will discuss seven common environmental and safety misconceptions that best-in-class business owners and general managers circumvent. It will also provide actionable suggestions for small businesses to improve environmental and safety compliance.
EH&S Management Myth 1: We are exempt.
Exemptions to regulatory requirements often exist for SMEs. However, applicability is usually determined on a rule-by-rule basis based on the circumstances at the facility.
For example, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) offers an injury reporting and recordkeeping exemption for micro-enterprises (fewer than ten workers) and specific low-hazard industries. However, this exclusion does not translate into a release from all other OSHA standards.
Smaller organizations need to know and understand all the requirements applicable to their establishments. They should work to identify all substances, activities, and equipment potentially subject to regulation. Applicability evaluations of these items will help to determine a company's obligations. If such a review reveals gaps, they should be immediately addressed.
Environmental Health and Safety Misconception 2: Compliance costs too much.
Every function in an operation costs money. Do businesses not pay taxes because they believe the cost is too high? Are raw material purchases halted simply because the price goes up? Of course not!
EH&S management is like every other function within an operation. It's an investment in the business's viability and success. As such, establishments must allocate appropriate resources and execute their environmental and safety programs to see returns. When weighed against potential non-compliance costs, investing in EH&S can save money.
SMEs must very attentively budget for EH&S, as their overhead cushions tend to be much leaner than those of larger organizations. Furthermore, companies should explore quality, affordable resources to develop and enhance their programs to lower costs.
Untruth 3: A lack of worker injuries and environmental releases equals compliance.
Establishments that fail to look for and address safety and environmental concerns rely on luck as their EH&S program. Doing so is an unsound business strategy, as the risk of a devastating event increases over time if no mitigation transpires. Eventually, a site's luck will run out, and it will be left in reactive mode when an inspection, injury, or release occurs.
Processes and work instructions should be documented when necessary to promote compliance. Furthermore, employees need thorough training to implement the site's control methods. Facilities should use routine environmental and safety messages and coaching to reinforce educational sessions.
Likewise, work areas should be examined often against the documentation to identify deficiencies. Any issues should be corrected promptly. By following this EH&S management scheme, sites can stop minor matters from turning into large catastrophes.
EH&S Management Myth 4: Employees aren't complaining, so all is good.
The employer-employee power structure often prevents workers from speaking up about safety and environmental issues. This scenario points to a deficient culture in need of improvement. Leaders are responsible for conveying the organization's values but can unintentionally send the wrong message on the importance of solid EH&S management.
Does top management demonstrate a solid commitment to the environment and workplace safety by setting improvement goals, providing training, and allocating appropriate budgets, or is the opposite true? In the latter case, owners and general managers put EH&S on the back burner. So, why would employees voice concerns even if they exist?
Companies with elite environmental and safety performance understand the necessity of practicing these items as core values. Paying lip service will get the operation nowhere. By communicating the necessity and desire for robust EH&S management, the organization will promote the culture shift that is needed to empower workers for better communication and compliance.
Environmental Health and Safety Misconception 5: We are not inspected, so all is clear.
This common EH&S management myth is often prevalent among SMEs that do not receive regular, programmed inspections by OSHA, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), or state regulators. However, most general industry employers fall under OSHA's jurisdiction and can be inspected anytime. While circumstances are more nuanced on the environmental side, small facilities don't receive blanket protection against inspection.
Generally, safety and environmental regulators have systems in place to accept complaints from almost anyone. As such, employees, customers, suppliers, and community members can contact these agencies about a business's activities. Moreover, most SMEs have local-level permits and may be inspected routinely by municipal or county officials who can make referrals to OSHA and EPA.
Emboldened negligence because of a lowered enforcement possibility has never been a strong defense for non-compliance. In fact, knowingly avoiding compliance can increase the severity of the consequences for the non-compliant. Small business owners and general managers must strive to do what's right because that will lead to the best outcomes for the establishment.
Untruth 6: We don't have safety hazards or polluting activities.
If a site states that it has no safety dangers or environmental impact, it lies to itself. A rigorous risk assessment and applicability evaluation would demonstrate otherwise. For instance, in Texas, some restaurants are subject to an air permit by rule (PBR). How many dining establishment owners do you think actually realize they are regulated this way?
The truth is if you have one (1) or more employees, you must meet some safety standards even if a formal plan is not required. Every facility will have fire and electrical hazards that must be addressed. Additionally, an emergency action plan (EAP) is required for all general industry sites. Most businesses will also need to have protocols in place for good housekeeping and solid ergonomics.
For the environmental side of EH&S management, sites should construct their processes to avoid illicit waste dumping and stormwater contamination. Furthermore, establishments must adhere to the permit requirements issued by their local publicly-owned treatment works (POTW) for discharges to the sanitary sewer.
EH&S Management Myth 7: An environmental and safety program will not bring additional value to my business.
What's the reasoning behind safety and environmental regulations? They are issued to safeguard the environment and workers while on the job. Nature supports all life; employees are a business's most valuable asset. The best SMEs understand that excellent EH&S management programs protect the things and persons held most dear, which benefits the operation.
Yet, the gains to the enterprise don't stop here. EH&S plays a vital role in small business because it impacts establishments in other ways. Robust compliance can improve efficiency, help the site avoid steep finds, and lower insurance premiums, saving the company money.
Furthermore, solid EH&S management shows employees that the organization cares about their well-being, boosting worker morale. Savvy SMEs also utilize their stellar environmental and safety performance to attract customers, top-notch suppliers, and the best talent to the business, positively impacting the bottom line.
Concluding Thoughts on EH&S Management Myths
Workers, the environment, and an enterprise's bottom line are all put at risk when those in charge buy into common EH&S misconceptions. SME leaders can fight against the untruths by staying informed, focusing on business protection, and committing to doing what's right. Acting now for improved EH&S management will sow the seeds for a positive future return on investment.
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