Benefits and barriers in implementing and maintaining environmental and health and safety management systems

Abstract

Environmental management and health and safety management are two core areas which must be managed efficiently and effectively by all industries. The proper management o f these two disciplines can lead to increased cost savings, increased competitiveness, increased morale within the workforce and positive public image. Environmental Management Systems (EMS) and Health and Safety Management Systems (HSMS) are becoming increasingly popular and many industries are now installing them. While there are many benefits to be accrued from installing such systems, there are also many barriers most notably cost, time and excessive documentation. This Dissertation examines the benefits and the difficulties associated with the installation and the maintenance of these systems with particular reference to the pharmaceutical industry and the IPC/IPPC licensed food and drink companies in Ireland. The work has found that while it would appear that the barriers associated with EMS’s and HSMS’s are surmountable, more work needs to be done to ensure that all of the perceived benefits are achieved particularly the areas where cost savings can be made most. i