Integrating Occupational Health & Safety Into Sustainability Term Paper

Integrating Occupational Health & Safety Into Sustainability - Term Paper Example As a result of these worrying trends, social dumping which results from exporting or work processes and technology, machines, innovation, chemicals and commodities for use in certain workplaces of recipient nations has become a matter of concern and, as such has to be treated as a matter of priority. Keywords: sustainability, environment, workplaces, job safety and health, environmental sustainability Introduction As mentioned in the proposal, sustainability can be effectively integrated into occupational health and safety through the utilization of corporate responsibility. The utilization of environmental health and safety procedures is an efficient method of making sure that a single integration can be implemented. This kind of implementation can ensure that risks found in operations and procedures, as well as, regulatory compliances are properly adhered to. Sustainability has been indicated to be one of the essential influences of the global business processes to become supported by EHS. According to the guidelines of EHS, there are three key elements that are required for the integration of safety into environmental sustainability, and these include such things as health and safety, environmental performance, and product safety and stewardship1. It should be noted that the issues of business integration and occupational health and safety and sustainability are closely related. This is so because it is through the protection of the environment that the well-being of human beings is catered for and addressed. As it follows, economic success can be achieved when the well being, safety, and health of individuals are protected, as well as, when businesses are well integrated with environmental sustainability. Therefore, workers should be able to perform their duties in an environment that assures them and promotes their health and safety. This has been indicated to be possible through the establishment of health and occupational programs that are appropriate an d effective2. Review of Relevant Literature A recently published article argues that sustainability is an issue that has been increasing in priority in the minds and agendas of many parties like management, customers, investors, and employees, all of whom are grappling to understand the environmental and social implications of the operational and financial decisions a company makes. This is especially concerning in companies that are highly regulated and those industries that are conscious of brands. Major companies have come to realize that sustainability is not just about being ‘green’. To be feasible, processes and practices of sustainability must work hand in hand with the key strategies and goals of the company to enhance enterprise profitability. In the end, firms need to manage risk, protect their brand, as well as, find chances to improve their profits3. The same article argues that responding to the challenges that result from sustainability has never been more difficult, although the priority given to the same has never been higher. As a result, firms that try to develop programs for sustainability find a number of unique challenges.