Integrating Environment, Health & Safety and other Functions - PowerPoint PPT Presentation

Integrating Environment, Health & Safety and other Functions

Challenges and Opportunities

Neil Skinner, Environmental Management Services

Accolade Learning Resources Ltd.

Edmonton Alberta Canada

• 1. Identifying clear corporate goals
• 2. Choosing the correct standards and models, and creating an integrated composite model
• 3. Establishing strong lines of communication and effective mechanisms for decision-making

• Neither environmental or OHS problems are well served with solely reactive processes
• Linkages between EH&S goals and core business objectives are mandatory
• Strengthening core business objectives with sound EH&S policy should be the focus

• There are both integrated and individual standards suitable for EHS program development
• Industry models are important for substantive foundations
• Recognized international standards are crucial for external recognition
• The ultimate system should combine these 2 with organizational needs

• The API Model EHS is a good starting point, so are the CAPP programs
• ISO 14001 should be used as one of the underlying models
• BS 8800 is the most suitable & recognized OHS system standard
• ISO 9000 can also be helpful
• All of these share many common elements

• The key to integration is to find the commonalties among and between the standards
• Re-organizing the various standards into a workable whole is the key
• Administrative and management elements share many common characteristics
• Substantive elements can simply be grouped into functional divisions

• The third challenge is perhaps the source of the crucial difference between effective and superficial systems
• Top-down communications are just as important as bottom-up reporting
• Employee buy-in will not be accomplished without delegation of responsibility
• Continual improvement demands this

• Adherence to procedures is not enough
• Real responsibility must be granted for effective management
• Action plans require participation throughout the organization
• Simple ideas are more likely to be implemented

• 1. Approve goals and objectives
• 2. Grant authority and establish clear reporting structures
• 3. Use existing “best practices” as a starting point
• 4. Develop both top AND bottom features first: high level system functions AND strengthened existing operating procedures

• We have proven ideas to help put these concepts into practice
• We do not believe that outside structures should impede internal processes
• We focus our efforts on capacity-building, not the traditional consulting model