In today’s world of dynamic workflow processes and ever-changing markets, managing risk is more important than ever. Utilizing a process known as Prioritization of Issues (POI) can ensure the strength and resilience of companies going into the future. What is a POI? A POI is a customizable and scalable assessment process to identify issues or concerns that are met with real world solutions. This allows for the allocation of resources and implementation of programs that mitigate risks in a prioritized manner before they become a problem. Using a POI approach also allows companies to accelerate new leadership and benchmark progress toward specific environmental health and safety (EHS) goals.
Federal and state agencies which regulate safety and environmental practices impose requirements upon businesses. A POI provides invaluable insight into where a company stands with respect to these requirements and how to meet and/or exceed compliance requirements. Some agencies incentivize “self-policing” and others accept good faith efforts on the part of the company to show that they are striving to meet compliance. Both require action on the part of the employer.
A POI is a valuable tool in EHS management as it provides a wholistic snapshot of current business practices and furnishes the company with a summary of issues and a prioritized action plan for improvement. There are several factors that may trigger the need for a POI including acquisitions, management system auditing requirements, rapid expansion, leadership changes, a citation or violation, and programmatic review.
The process for conducting a POI consists of a few steps. First there is a pre-assessment and scoping phase where data about the project is gathered and all relevant regulations are determined for the site to be reviewed. The assessors performing the POI will review documents such as previous audit reports, company policies, lists of permits held, and site programs to name a few. Upon completion of the data review, a site visit will be scheduled where the POI auditors will perform an in-person assessment.
The site visit provides tremendous opportunity to learn about how the facility operates daily. The POI assessors will conduct interviews with employees to determine where there are areas for improvement and what is working well. The facility walk through allows POI assessors to identify any potential issues or concerns that may not be addressed in an existing EHS management program. The site assessment is also the time when companies with a strong safety culture really shine.
Following the site visit, a report of findings will be drafted to include a prioritized list of issues that are arranged from high, medium, and low risk. Corrective actions that maybe useful in mitigating these risks could include industrial hygiene assessments/sampling, ergonomics support, EHS programs, waste management, air quality assessments, or permitting assistance. The final report is then issued to the company for their review.
Providing safe and sustainable employment to workers can be a tremendous undertaking and can be rife with unforeseen obstacles. While employing POI services may seem like a cumbersome task, it is crucial to protecting worker safety and developing strong business continuity practices. Resources for building robust EHS programs, which protect workers and a company’s core values, are an investment in the health and longevity of that company and are invaluable to that company’s reputation as a distinguished leader in their industry.
