In The National Association for Environmental, Health, Safety and Sustainability (EHS&S) Management (NAEM) blog, Nicole Wilkinson, executive director of Corporate Health, Safety and Environment at CVS Health, and board member of NAEM, talks about the expanding role of the profession. “Post pandemic our profession is further elevated, and our companies rely more on us now than ever.”
She outlines some new opportunities that are evolving in the profession. Here is an excerpt of three of those.
EHS&S is driving shareholder value in setting and supporting ESG goals and strategies. Many of us have responsibilities to setting or delivering on our company’s science-based targets and ESG commitments. We are making huge strides in reducing greenhouse gas emissions and combatting climate change. We are innovating new waste management programs, technologies and infrastructure and striving for zero waste certifications. Our work extends beyond our own companies and impacts and influences across the supply chain. Our external reporting is now driven by not only stakeholder value but by government and regulations.
EHS&S is going beyond health and safety, towards setting standards for total worker health and wellness. We are not only responsible for keeping our colleagues physically safe but also promoting their overall health and wellness and improving and enhancing their lives with wellness resources and programs such as mindfulness, fitness and stretching programs. We are collaborating with our HR partners to create recognition programs to help promote a safety-first culture.
We have also had to learn how to lead effectively in remote or hybrid environments. Moving beyond the basics of safety because we know when we cultivate a psychologically safe environment, we encourage open communication where our workers feel they can share concerns and ideas which leads to improved engagement and safer outcomes. We understand that overall health and wellness allows our workers to bring their best to work every day.
EHS&S is delivering value through cutting-edge software management solutions and technology applications that allow our companies to be leaders. Our metrics and dashboards are playing critical roles in supporting our operations partners not only to track compliance but to help them deliver operational excellence and promote a strong EHS culture. Our Management Information Systems are becoming critical tools allowing us to meet both internal and external reporting requirements and demands.
See the complete list here.
