5 Key Risks for Environment, Health & Safety Teams to Consider

Environment, Health, and Safety (EHS) teams are tasked with protecting employees, maintaining compliance, and ensuring sustainability across their organizations. From managing day-to-day hazards to addressing large-scale challenges like natural disasters or regulatory changes, EHS teams are under constant pressure to deliver results while juggling multiple priorities.

For a team managing operations for a company with multiple sites, a spike in workplace incidents calls for immediate corrective actions. Meanwhile, stricter sustainability goals require significant changes to energy use and waste management practices. Adding to this, compliance deadlines are seemingly constantly looming, and employees are struggling with burnout. Scenarios like these are only the beginning when it comes to the high-stakes nature of EHS teams.

Here are the top five EHS risks that teams face, along with actionable strategies to address them effectively.

1. Keeping pace with regulatory changes

Knowing when regulations will be changed, updated, or implemented — and ensuring your company is compliant — remains one of the most time-consuming and challenging EHS risks. Laws governing workplace safety, hazardous materials, and environmental standards can change rapidly, requiring organizations to update their procedures to avoid penalties or disruptions.

For example, the European Union’s REACH (Registration, Evaluation, Authorisation, and Restriction of Chemicals) regulations mandate the monitoring and reporting of hazardous substances. The list of restricted chemicals affects industries like manufacturing, distribution, and chemical processing. Similarly, in the United States, OSHA introduced stricter injury-reporting requirements, forcing companies to adapt their internal processes quickly.

Steps to minimize these EHS risks:

• Automate compliance tracking: Tools that monitor regulatory changes and provide real-time updates help teams stay ahead of new requirements.
• Conduct regular compliance reviews: Internal audits can uncover gaps and ensure processes align with the latest standards.
• Provide continuous employee education: Training sessions focused on regulatory updates equip employees to follow procedures accurately.
• Collaborate with industry groups: Networking with other organizations can provide insights into upcoming changes and effective responses.
• Engage legal advisors: Expert guidance ensures compliance efforts are thorough and legally sound.

2. Managing workplace hazards

Workplace hazards are a top priority for EHS teams, especially in industries like construction, manufacturing, and logistics. While many organizations have policies in place to address risks, gaps in enforcement, communication, or training often lead to preventable incidents.

Hazards can range from immediate physical risks, such as machinery malfunctions, to long-term concerns like repetitive strain injuries. Despite policies aimed at preventing incidents, many organizations experience preventable accidents due to gaps in communication, training, or enforcement of safety protocols.

Steps to minimize these EHS risks:

• Perform hazard assessments regularly: Inspect high-risk areas to identify unsafe conditions, such as cluttered walkways or poorly maintained equipment.
• Foster a reporting culture: Encourage employees to report hazards and near-misses without fear of reprisal.
• Schedule preventative maintenance: Regularly inspect and repair equipment to prevent unexpected breakdowns.
• Deliver targeted training programs: Tailor safety education to specific tasks, such as forklift operations or chemical handling.
• Analyze incident trends: Use data from past accidents to identify patterns and prioritize prevention strategies.

3. Natural disaster preparedness 

Natural disasters — such as hurricanes, floods, wildfires, and extreme heat waves — are a significant risks for EHS teams. These events threaten employee safety, disrupt operations, and can result in millions of dollars in damages and lost productivity. In some cases, unprepared organizations face prolonged shutdowns or struggle to recover due to inadequate planning and mitigation efforts.

While all industries are vulnerable, businesses with facilities in disaster-prone regions must adopt proactive strategies to protect employees, infrastructure, and operations. Effective preparation requires collaboration, clear communication, and investments in resilient systems.

Steps to minimize these EHS risks:

• Develop detailed emergency plans: Tailor protocols to the unique risks at each site, from flood preparedness in low-lying areas to wildfire mitigation in dry regions.
• Upgrade infrastructure: Invest in resilient building materials, flood barriers, and backup power systems to minimize potential damage.
• Run regular drills: Practicing evacuation and emergency procedures ensures employees are prepared to respond effectively.
• Monitor weather patterns: Use real-time monitoring tools to receive early warnings and prepare for extreme conditions.

4. Employee health and wellness concerns

Employee wellness is a foundational component of a safe and productive workplace. Fatigue, stress, and inadequate physical and mental support can lead to errors, injuries, and decreased morale. Prioritizing wellness is critical to reducing EHS risks, which also works to improve employee satisfaction and retention.

Workplace wellness shouldn’t be treated like a perk to entice new hires — it’s a core strategy to help mitigate risks for EHS teams. Stress and exhaustion are common contributors to workplace incidents, particularly in high-demand industries like manufacturing, logistics, and healthcare. When wellness initiatives are neglected, organizations often face higher rates of absenteeism, turnover, and errors that can lead to costly safety violations.

Steps to minimize these EHS risks:

• Enhance ergonomic workspaces: Evaluate workstation layouts to ensure they minimize strain and promote proper posture.
• Encourage structured breaks: Educate managers on the importance of balancing workloads to prevent overexertion and provide all employees with access to mental health resources
• Use wearable devices to monitor fatigue: Provide employees in high-risk roles with wearable technology that tracks physical exertion and fatigue levels.
• Run workplace wellness initiatives: Implement programs like step challenges, fitness classes, or mindfulness workshops to promote physical activity and stress relief.

5. Not meeting sustainability goals

Sustainability is no longer just a corporate responsibility — it’s a competitive necessity. Driven by regulatory demands, consumer preferences, and investor expectations, businesses are increasingly prioritizing environmental goals. EHS teams are uniquely positioned to lead these efforts, as sustainability initiatives align closely with their focus on reducing EHS risks and improving workplace safety.

For organizations across industries, the risks for EHS teams tied to environmental performance are significant. A lack of focus on sustainability can result in compliance violations, reputational damage, and missed opportunities for cost savings. By managing energy use, reducing emissions, and minimizing waste, these teams can play a key role in creating operational efficiencies while meeting stakeholder expectations.

Steps to minimize these EHS risks:

• Track key environmental metrics: Monitor energy consumption, water use, and waste production to identify inefficiencies and areas for improvement.
• Adopt renewable energy solutions: Invest in energy-efficient equipment, such as LED lighting and advanced HVAC systems.
• Engage employees in conservation efforts: Launch programs that encourage recycling, energy conservation, and waste reduction. Involve employees in sustainability initiatives through friendly competitions or “green challenges.”
• Set measurable goals: Establish clear targets, such as cutting emissions by 20% over five years, and create action plans to achieve them. Regularly review progress to ensure accountability.
• Publish sustainability reports: Share updates with stakeholders to demonstrate commitment and build trust. Highlight achievements, such as reduced waste or energy savings, to reinforce your organization’s dedication to sustainability.

How Resolver’s Incident Management Software helps mitigate EHS risks

Managing the wide variety of risks facing EHS teams requires tools that streamline processes and provide clear oversight. Resolver’s Incident Management Software offers solutions that empower teams to efficiently manage risks.

Resolver provides tools to help EHS teams streamline risk management and improve efficiency. Our centralized reporting feature consolidates incidents, near-misses, and hazards into a single system, making it easier to track and manage workplace risks.

For compliance, the platform generates audit-ready reports aligned with industry regulations, saving time and reducing the likelihood of errors. Resolver’s features are built to support teams and help prevent EHS risks by proactively addressing challenges.

Request a demo today to discover how Resolver can transform your EHS program.