Why should a company develop a Safety-Health-Enviroment program and what is managements role in developing and

Question

implementing that program?

Any help would be appreciated.

Answer 1

The expedient answer is you develop Health and Safety systems as they are mandated by government regulations and enforcement. In the US there are several agencies at many differing levels.

Federal Agencies
OSHA Federal
EPA Federal

State Agencies
OSHA State (they have a nice and free consulting service for small businesses)
EPA State
State air resources boards

Local Agencies
Fire
Air pollution control agencies
Health Services
Wastewater authorities

There are certain benefits for having EH&S programs, but they come at a steep cost. This is one of the reasons US and Western European companies are at a disadvantage to Eastern European, Latin American African and Asian companies. The EH&S requirements are minimal in places like China and India.

Management has an obligation to provide the needed resources to comply with all regulations, to do otherwise is criminal. That being said EH &S is a non-value added activity, so frequently Management strives to minimize spending on EH & S.

Answer 2

These issues are dealt with by OSHA, and are required, and very well defined. Developing a program means obtaining applicable software and filling in the blanks. Management is obliged to make this program available and to meet all its requirements as well.

Answer 3

Protecting the earth is EVERY-ONES responsibility! Period!