May 9th, 2018
Warning: This piece contains spoilers from Seasons 1 and 2 of “Stranger Things.” (As well as incredibly insightful commentary from a Demogorgon who was there.)

I know what you’re thinking. What EHS tips and insights can a delightfully heinous Demogorgon possibly offer a seasoned professional like you?

While my species isn’t exactly known for having original ideas—what with the whole “hive mind” thing—I’d argue my vicious talents, as well as my experience during the unfortunate Hawkins, IN incident, brings some unique value to the table.

From what I understand, EHS teams are under enormous pressure to manage risk and keep compliance and safety from slipping into the Upside Down. As both a risky individual and a creature who knows all about the Upside Down, I think there’s a little something that every EHS professional can learn from the havoc my monster pack and I brought to Hawkins.

1. Look beyond the surface for risk points

I think we all know the Hawkins National Laboratory was an EHS disaster waiting to happen. The scientists who ran the facility thought they had all their bases covered and secrets hidden, but when Eleven opened a portal between our worlds, it was evident they didn’t consider all the potential risks.

It’s imperative that you explore multiple risk scenarios—including the unlikely. Leverage data such as incident reports and near misses to understand common threats, as well as extrapolate other risks. Then create a plan of attack to monitor EHS risk points—in addtion to evolving compliance requirements—that can put compliance, safety, and your organization’s reputation at risk. In short, expect the unexpected!

2. Find the leader of the “hive”

My monster clan has an intimate connection with our master, the Mind Flayer, aka the Shadow Monster. We share thoughts, feelings, plans, and tactics—we follow the leader and as a result, we're a pretty formidable force.

The EHS connection? Employee engagement is critical for managing risk and helping ensure safety and compliance. And a great way to foster better engagement is to identify high-flying, respected employees who can serve as ambassadors. These people can become in-house Mind Flayers, if you will, who can lead by example and get others onboard.

3. Lack of insight can breed chaos

Dustin Henderson played a crucial role by discovering and raising one of my brethren—a little monster he affectionately called Dart. But despite many warning signs, he chose to believe he had discovered a new species—until it was a little too late for the precious (and delicious) Mews. His youth and naivety got the better of him.

Your takeaway? Inexperience and lack of insight can spell disaster; your employees need to know what EHS is, why it’s important, and how they can contribute to a healthier and safer work environment. How? Invest in onboarding and ongoing training. Look for ways to keep workplace safety top of mind, such as an annual EHS Awareness Day or eye catching signage. Make it easy for employees to raise red flags, and regularly engage with members of the team to get their thoughts on how your efforts can improve.

4. Keeping EHS right-side-up takes a team

While Eleven was the one who used her supernatural powers to strike the final blow and close the dimensional door, the plan was as the result of a collective effort. As much as I hate to admit it, her band of friends each brought unique insights and expertise to the table, and together they had the ability to innovate as they untangled our purpose and our weakness.

When it comes to keeping your own organization safe and compliant, make it a point to work across teams and departments to create EHS awareness and engagement. The most successful EHS programs are baked into company culture—and that takes effort and cooperation across the organization. If you lack the expertise or internal resources, engage an experienced workplace health and safety consultant to provide insight and support.

Friends don’t lie

You know that managing EHS risk and compliance can’t be accomplished with a set-it-and-forget tactics; rather, it requires a robust yet flexible strategy. But to really drive success, you also need to focus on stakeholder engagement, getting buy-in and action from across the organization, and seek help from friendly experts when you need it.

Wondering if it’s time to call in an EHS consultant? Inspired by the cult classic “Office Space,” we share five signs that it may be time to call in “The Bobs.”

Read more EHS tips and advice on the Antea Group blog, or follow us on Twitter or LinkedIn to stay up to date on current news and insights.

ma, 07/05/2018

Antea Group heeft het VOKA Charter Duurzaam Ondernemen (VCDO) 2017 behaald! Dit wil zeggen dat onze organisatie over heel de lijn geslaagd is in het realiseren van de vooropgestelde actie. Een interne stuurgroep volgde dit actieplan nauwlettend op.

Het VCDO biedt ondernemingen de mogelijkheid om via een actieplan op maat resultaatgericht en continu optimaliserend aan duurzaam ondernemen te werken.

Elke onderneming die het VCDO onderschrijft, verbindt er zich toe om:
•Duurzaam ondernemen op een proactieve manier te integreren in het bedrijfsbeleid;
•Doelstellingen en concrete acties te formuleren passend binnen de duurzame ontwikkelingsdoelstellingen van de VN;
•Te rapporteren over de geboekte resultaten aan de evaluatiecommissie;
•Extern te communiceren over de uitgevoerde acties;
•Continu te werken aan de conformiteit met de sociale, welzijns- en milieuwetgeving.

Antea Group is, net zoals VOKA en de deelnemende bedrijven, ervan overtuigd dat ondernemingen een belangrijke bijdrage kunnen leveren aan de realisatie van de VN duurzaamheidsdoelstellingen.

Ook voor 2018 heeft Antea Group zich ingeschreven!