The “Right Home” for Environment, Health and Safety

Several surveys conducted by management consulting organizations show that Environment, Health and Safety (EHS) is “housed” in a wide variety of locations within organizations — Operations, Facilities, Legal and Human Resources, to name a few. Determination of the functional department that “owns” EHS is attributable to a number of factors, including the organization’s perceived EHS risks as well as the legacy of influence left by the organization's various leaders.

Whether we work in a small-, medium-, or large-sized organization, none of us is individually responsible for how well EHS performs. The location of the EHS department's “home” within an organization can make a big difference in its effectiveness.

In this article, Mark Katschen shares his experience as a consultant working with environmental, health and safety groups across a variety of industries and government agencies on optimal placement of the EHS department within an organization.