Every April, the world comes together to celebrate Earth Day, an opportunity to call attention to our fragile planet and the role sustainable strategies can play in preserving it for generations to come. You might not immediately think of workplace safety as an element of sustainability, but when you consider the goals of safety programs and the philosophies of safety leaders, it’s clear our focus is about protecting the well-being of individuals and the integrity of jobsites and their environments.
Generally, when people think about sustainability in the workplace, their attention focuses on
protecting the natural environment. Many jobsites involve modifying the natural environment or using substances and processes that are potentially damaging to the air and water. Effective environmental safety programs consider and address those issues, such as encouraging safer ways of handling and working with hazardous materials. A key element is educating workers about the potential for injury, damage or contamination.
“A growing number of owners and contractors we work with opt for LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) certification,” said SMG Director of Construction and Manufacturing Craig Clark, CHST. “In addition to demonstrating a commitment not only to healthier and more efficient buildings, LEED certification also applies to construction approaches that respect the natural environment and people who interact with the buildings. As we draft policies and procedures for those companies, our goal is to capture the companies’ expectations from an environmental impact standpoint.”
Clark cites attitudes about waste as one area that has changed. “A decade ago, every piece of scrap or debris typically wound up in a single dumpster. Today, more companies choose to segregate waste by type and recyclability.”
Within SMG, we practice sustainability in many ways, most notably when it comes to operating our vehicles. Our team members begin every drive with a quick inspection of their work vehicle to ensure there aren’t any leaks or other problems requiring immediate attention. On the road, we use technology to track driving performance to ensure our team isn’t wasting fuel or reducing the service life of brakes and other components by speeding or driving too aggressively.
Helping people stay healthy factors into our philosophy, and we address that in a number of ways — ranging from teaching simple stretches that reduce the potential for musculoskeletal injuries during the workday to providing incentives for healthy behaviors like working out regularly. Because mental well-being is tied to physical health, we encourage participation in regular webinars to improve awareness of mental health challenges.
There’s another key element of sustainability not necessarily tied directly to the environment — relationships. SMG does important work that helps prevent injuries and saves lives, and our ability to continue doing that requires a focus on sustaining and enhancing the relationships we have with our clients. When we meet — and exceed — our client’s expectations, it’s a sign we’re investing in that kind of stability. It’s good for SMG, our clients and, most important, the workers who gain the many advantages of a safer, more sustainable workplace.
SMG knows environmental regulations and how to decrease the risk of noncompliance. Talk to one of our team members today.
