The Future Of The EHS Function

Bill Pennington

Bill Pennington

21 Jan, 2022

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Executive Summary

The last 24 months have brought a series of disruptive events, with the COVID-19 pandemic, subsequent widespread exposure, failing supply chains and dwindling workforces. Additionally, growing demands from the public and consumers have affected how firms operate and look to protect their brands and build business resilience. In a new world of unknowns and increasing operational scrutiny, EHS executives must evaluate and understand how the function is expected to respond to these new pressures to better prepare for organizational and strategic changes. This report will provide EHS executives with insights into the new priority areas for EHS, examining how firms are responding to market trends and how technology will support EHS professionals accomplishing their goals.

EHS Executives’ Agendas Have Adapted To Meet A Growing List Of Market Shocks And Societal Expectations 
COVID-19 Has Created Lasting Challenges That Are Still Shaping The Way EHS Professionals Operate
Traditional Views Of Worker Compliance Have Transitioned To Regard Total Worker Health As A Priority
Firms Must Refocus Effort To Tackle The Causes Of The Most Serious Injuries And Fatalities
ESG Will Add Another Layer Of EHS Responsibilities As Organizations Pursue New Initiatives

The Future State Of The EHS Function  
Responding to External Pressures Will Require Executives To Transform EHS Organizational Structures
Digital Technology Will Offer Greater Opportunity For EHS Excellence Amidst Crunched Resources

Figure 1. New Priorities And Organizational Pulls On The EHS Function 
Figure 2. Lagging Fatality Rate Reduction Compared With Workplace Injuries 
Figure 3. The EHS Function Will See Increased Digitization Over The Next Three Years 

About the Author

Bill Pennington

Bill Pennington

VP Research

Bill is VP Research at Verdantix, where he leads analysis on the evolving and interconnected landscapes of EHS, quality, AI and enterprise risk management. His research helps ...

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