7-10. Expanding EHS Training to Include Suppliers and the Responsibility for Oversight

Given the ongoing trend of globalization, a company's EHS (Environmental, Health, and Safety) responsibilities extend beyond its own employees to include those of suppliers and partner companies. This is because workplace accidents and environmental incidents at outsourced production sites or during procurement directly impact the brand and trustworthiness of the ordering company. Therefore, it is essential for companies to systematically implement EHS education for supplier employees and clearly define their supervisory responsibilities.

Importance of EHS Education in the Supply Chain

Workplace accidents or legal violations at a supplier can lead to compliance failures and a lower ESG rating for the purchasing company. With the international strengthening of human rights due diligence and environmental regulations, companies are now responsible for ensuring the EHS standards of their entire supply chain. Promoting safety awareness and environmental consciousness through education not only helps mitigate risks but also strengthens trust with business partners.

Designing an Effective Education Program

When designing an EHS program for supplier employees, the content should not only cover basic safety and health rules and compliance with environmental laws but also take local labor practices and culture into account. It is effective to focus on concrete actions for accident prevention for on-site workers and to emphasize understanding risk assessment and supervisory responsibilities for management. Furthermore, a combination of e-learning and on-site training can ensure a uniform standard of education on a global scale.

Clarifying Supervisory Responsibilities

The ordering company has a responsibility not only to provide or recommend EHS education to suppliers but also to supervise and evaluate its implementation. It is important to establish a system for confirming the effectiveness of the training and providing feedback for improvements through audits and regular on-site visits. By including EHS compliance clauses and training participation requirements in contracts, the company's supervisory responsibilities can be legally secured.

Measuring and Improving Outcomes

To confirm the effectiveness of the training, it is useful to monitor the number of accidents and near-miss reports at supplier sites over time. Additionally, using external audit results and employee surveys helps to gauge the degree of improvement in both awareness and behavior. By running a PDCA cycle, the quality of education can be continuously improved.

Conclusion

Implementing EHS education that includes supplier employees is a strategic measure that fulfills a company's social responsibilities and enhances its trustworthiness in global competition. By clearly defining the educational framework and supervisory responsibilities and making continuous improvements through effectiveness measurement, companies can build a sustainable supply chain.