7-1. How to Build an EHS Education System to Foster a Safety Culture

In any company, EHS (Environmental, Health, and Safety) education is a critical foundation for establishing a safety culture. To prevent occupational accidents and environmental risks, it is essential to build an educational system that goes beyond simple knowledge transfer, enabling employees to take proactive safety actions. The widespread adoption of a safety culture requires combining educational programs optimized for different organizational levels and job types with a mechanism for continuous learning.

1. Basic Framework for Building an Educational System

When designing an EHS educational system, it is crucial to clarify the different roles of each target group, such as "management," "managers," "on-site employees," and "partner companies." Management needs to be educated on the perspective of linking EHS to business strategy, while managers need skills in risk assessment and instructing their subordinates. On-site employees, meanwhile, need to be educated with a focus on specific safety actions and emergency response. This approach allows for the formation of a consistent safety culture across the entire organization.

2. Utilizing Diverse Educational Methods

To enhance the effectiveness of education, it is effective to combine classroom lectures with practical training and experiential learning using VR/AR. For example, disaster simulation using VR realistically recreates potential on-site dangers, increasing employees' risk awareness. Furthermore, utilizing e-learning and mobile apps makes it possible to create a system for continuous learning that is not restricted by time or location.

3. Measuring and Improving Educational Effectiveness

An EHS educational system is not complete once it is built; it requires regular effectiveness measurement and improvement. In addition to confirming comprehension through tests and surveys, it is necessary to monitor actual behavioral changes, such as the number of near-misses and the reduction of unsafe acts on-site, as key performance indicators (KPIs). If the educational effect is insufficient, the content and methods should be reviewed, and continuous improvement should be sought by running a PDCA cycle.

4. Mechanisms for Establishing a Safety Culture

To root the results of education in daily operations, it is important to create mechanisms that reflect what has been learned in day-to-day work. For example, regularly holding safety meetings and Kiken Yochi Training (KYT; danger prediction training) is effective for providing a forum for employees to share what they have learned with each other. Furthermore, when management and managers actively participate in educational programs and demonstrate a commitment to safety, it leads to a heightened awareness throughout the entire organization.

Summary

Building an EHS educational system is not just about setting up a training program; it is a strategic initiative to embed a safety culture within the organization. By combining educational content tailored to the target audience, diverse learning methods, and a system for measuring effectiveness, a culture where employees proactively practice safe behavior can be fostered. By continuously evolving education, a company can achieve both accident prevention and sustainable growth.