The main concern of industry managers is generally related to increased productivity. For this, there are investments in equipment, new technologies and methodologies such as Lean Manufacturing.
All of this is very important for the success of any company. However, it is people who represent the most important part of an organization. Thus, seeking to increase productivity also means ensuring good working conditions for employees.
In this sense, EHS has a fundamental role. Environment, health and safety at work are the main pillars that support a good experience of an employee at his workplace.
What is EHS?
The acronym comes from the English Environment, Health and Safety, which means Environment, Health and Safety. It is a discipline or area of the company that implements actions to ensure environmental protection and safety at work.
Generally speaking, everything that organizations should do to ensure that their actions do not cause harm to anyone goes into EHS. Therefore, this area seeks to make the work environment safer and more pleasant. For this, managers need to know labor laws very well and ensure that they are complied with.
It is also part of this area to educate employees so that they also apply good practices. For this, in addition to replicating knowledge, it is necessary to engage employees so that they understand the importance of worrying about safety and health and contribute to an environment with fewer accidents and absences.
How to increase productivity with EHS?
Good management of environmental, health and safety risks can help any company to improve its performance. For this, the support of all employees is essential. In this sense, managers need to seek good practices that directly involve employees. Some of the possible actions are:
Reporting and committed leadership
Whoever is high in the corporate hierarchy needs to show commitment to EHS. So it is essential to set an example and show what kind of behavior they expect with regard to health, safety and the environment.
An important step is to create and disseminate reports with relevant information about accidents and the results of EHS actions. From this data, the manager can recognize and reward employees who have behaved in line with the company’s EHS policy.
Risk Identification
EHS professionals must ensure that Regulatory Standards are strictly adhered to. The legislation itself points to three types of actions that, in order to avoid risks – should follow this order of priority:
1- Administrative actions
The first step is to eliminate the possibility of risks to the health of employees. It is the case, for example, to exchange a piece of equipment for one that is safer.
2- Collective actions
If it is not possible to eliminate possible risk agents, the second step is to create collective prevention actions. The installation of exhaust fans at the factory to avoid possible contamination is an example.
3- Individual Actions
Finally, only as a last resort should individual protection be chosen. The most classic example is PPE, and EHS is also responsible for ensuring the use of this equipment.
Use of Technology
Industry 4.0 brought several innovations to increase productivity on the shop floor. They are generally related to machines, bringing automation and greater efficiency.
However, the number of software released to help people management is also growing. Today, there are already platforms specially designed for EHS management, for example.
Understanding the behavior of employees is essential to identify risks and improve EHS actions. However, only with investment in technology is it possible to capture real data and reveal blind spots for EHS leaders.
How Novidá assists in the implementation of EHS
It is very important to identify possible risks in real time, or even before they happen. However, in a large factory it is impossible to look at everything that happens without the aid of technology.
With that in mind, Novidá developed an indoor geolocation solution that helps in the application of good EHS practices. Through beacons and sensors, we monitor the movement of employees during their productive days.
Thus, in addition to measuring times and movements, it is receiving and sending alerts in real time if any employee enters a risk area, for example. In addition, it is possible to send in automated reminders about PPE and security measures when an employee is going to perform a specific task.
Large companies like Gerdau, FCA and Boticário have already tested our solution and improved the management of their operational teams. Access our success stories and see how we can also help your company.
