I’ve been working on self-improvement lately, and it got me to thinking - What if facility managers approached EH&S compliance the same way? Systematically. Intentionally. Habitually. Because let’s face it: compliance isn’t just about permits and paperwork—it’s about building solid, daily habits that stick. When your team treats documentation, SOPs, communication, and ongoing learning as second nature, you don’t just stay out of trouble—you create a culture of proactive, confident compliance. I’ve broken it all down into five personal habits that EH&S managers can use to get their “site” in shape.
The supply chain crisis has reached into seemingly all levels of life these days. From supermarket shelves to manufacturers running out of raw materials, it’s an ongoing crisis. But there is another crisis facing many American manufacturers: a shortage of workers, including at the management level. EH&S managers are especially in short supply. And not having someone full-time and qualified on staff to fill that role can wreak havoc on a company’s EH&S policies. Fortunately, there are some solutions.
As a facility or plant manager, you might feel like you have an adversarial relationship with local, state, and federal regulators. And when they are scheduled to come on-site for an inspection, it could send you into panic mode as you try to “fix” everything before they arrive. But it doesn’t have to be that way. In fact, you can have a facility where an inspection is like a mere formality because the regulator won’t find much of anything amiss. Getting to that point requires some prep work and thinking proactively about how you and your team deal with EH&S issues.
As a facility or plant manager, you have a lot to keep track of. Your day-to-day responsibilities are already overwhelming. Then you throw in environmental permitting and reporting requirements to stay in compliance, employee training, safety procedures… And if you have an emergency or unexpected issue, chaos ensues. Like with many things in life, you can sidestep all of this and enjoy a less stressful existence with a bit of planning. The right plan will tell you what to do and how and when to do it. All you have to do is stick to the schedule.
