Top EHS metrics to track at workplace safety
Introduction:
In today’s fast-paced and highly regulated business environment, organizations must prioritize environmental, health, and safety (EHS) performance to minimize risks, reduce costs, and protect their reputation. Effective EHS metrics tracking is crucial to achieving these goals. In this article, we’ll explore the top EHS metrics to track, provide insights on how to leverage them to drive improvement, and offer best practices for implementing an effective EHS metrics program.
Why Track EHS Metrics?
Tracking EHS metrics is essential for organizations to:
1. Enhance workplace safety: By monitoring incidents, injuries, and illnesses, organizations can identify areas for improvement and implement measures to prevent future incidents.
2. Reduce environmental footprint: By tracking environmental metrics such as energy consumption, water usage, and waste generation, organizations can identify opportunities to reduce their environmental impact.
3. Ensure regulatory compliance: By monitoring compliance metrics such as permits, inspections, and training, organizations can ensure they are meeting regulatory requirements.
4. Drive business excellence: By tracking EHS metrics, organizations can identify areas for improvement, optimize processes, and drive business excellence.
Top EHS Metrics to Track
Here are the top EHS metrics to track, categorized by type:
- Workplace Safety Metrics
- Man Days – Company Staff: Total number of days worked by company staff.
- Man Days – Subcontractor: Total number of days worked by subcontractors.
- Total Man-Hours Worked: Total number of hours worked by all personnel (company staff and subcontractors).
- Number of Fatality Cases: Number of work-related fatalities.
- Number of Lost Time Incidents (LTI): Number of incidents resulting in lost workdays.
- Number of Near Miss Cases: Number of reported near misses.
- Number of First Aid Cases: Number of incidents requiring first aid treatment.
- Number of Medical Treatment Cases: Number of incidents requiring medical treatment.
- Number of Restricted Work Cases: Number of incidents resulting in restricted work activities.
2. Environmental Metrics
- Energy Consumption: Total amount of energy consumed by the organization. Example: A large retail store uses 100,000 kWh of electricity per month to power its lights, HVAC systems, and equipment.
- Water Usage: Total amount of water used by the organization. Example: A manufacturing plant uses 500,000 gallons of water per month for coolingĀ systems, washing machines, and drinking water.
- Waste Generation: Total amount of waste generated by the organization. Example: A fast-food chain generates 10,000 pounds of waste per month, including food waste, packaging materials, and disposable utensils.
- Greenhouse Gas Emissions: Total amount of greenhouse gas emissions generated by the organization. Example: An airline emits 500 tons of CO2 per month from its flights, contributing to climate change.
- Air Pollution: Total amount of air pollutants emitted by the organization. Example: A steel mill emits 100 tons of NOx per month, contributing to air pollution and negative health effects.
- Water Pollution: Total amount of water pollutants emitted by the organization. Example: An oil refinery discharges 50 tons of BOD (biochemical oxygen demand) per month into nearby waterways, harming aquatic life.
- Land Pollution: Total amount of land pollutants emitted by the organization. Example: A mining operation generates 20 tons of hazardous waste per month, including toxic chemicals and heavy metals.
- Mineral Extraction: Total amount of minerals extracted by the organization. Example: A coal mining operation extracts 1000 tons of coal per month, contributing to environmental degradation and health problems.
- Coal Consumption: Total amount of coal consumed by the organization. Example: A power plant consumes 500 tons of coal per month to generate electricity.
- Oil and Gas Consumption: Total amount of oil and gas consumed by the organization. Example: A transportation company consumes 1000 barrels of oil per month to fuel its vehicles.
- Nuclear Power Plant Emissions: Total amount of emissions generated by nuclear power plants. Example: A nuclear power plant emits 0 tons of CO2 per month, but generates radioactive waste that requires specialized storage and disposal.
- Toxic Water Disposal: Total amount of toxic water disposed of by the organization. Example: A chemical manufacturing plant disposes of 0 tons of toxic water per month, as it treats all its wastewater on site.
- Hazardous Gas Emissions: Total amount of hazardous gas emissions generated by the organization.Ā Example: A semiconductor manufacturing plant emits 50 tons of VOCs (volatile organic compounds) per month, contributing to air pollution.
- Medical Waste Generation: Total amount of medical waste generated by the organization. Example: A hospital generates 0 tons of medical waste per month, as it uses advanced waste management systems.
- Chemical Waste Generation: Total amount of chemical waste generated by the organization. Example: A pharmaceutical manufacturing plant generates 100 tons of hazardous waste per month, including chemical solvents and byproducts.
- Poisonous Material Handling: Total amount of poisonous materials handled by the organization. Example: A battery manufacturing plant handles 50 tons of hazardous materials per month, including lead and lithium.
- Plastic Waste Generation: Total amount of plastic waste generated by the organization. Example: A packaging company generates 1000 pounds of plastic waste per month, including bottles, cans, and other packaging materials.
3. Compliance Metrics
- Number of Permits: Number of permits held by the organization.
- Number of Inspections: Number of inspections conducted by regulatory agencies.
- Number of Training Hours: Number of hours spent on training and development programs.
- Compliance Audit Results: Track the results of compliance audits, including findings and corrective actions.
- Compliance with Labour Laws: Employees’ Provident Funds and Miscellaneous Provisions Act, 1952, Payment of Gratuity Act, 1972, Occupational Safety, Health and Working Conditions Code, 2020.
- Compliance with Environmental Laws: Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1974 Air (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1981
- Compliance with Safety Laws: Factories Act, 1948 (for factories) Building and Other Construction Workers (Regulation of Employment and Conditions of Ā Service) Act, 1996 (for construction workers)
Conclusion
Tracking EHS metrics is essential for organizations to improve workplace safety, reduce environmental impact, enhance regulatory compliance, and drive business excellence. By implementing an effective EHS metrics program, organizations can identify areas for improvement, optimize processes, and drive continuous improvement.