Every workplace carries risk. Some are obvious—like heavy equipment or hazardous chemicals—while others, such as indoor air quality or heat stress, are harder to see. That’s why Environmental Health and Safety (EHS) risk assessments are essential. They provide a structured way to identify hazards, evaluate their potential impact, and put controls in place before incidents occur.

Risk assessments help protect your people, avoid costly interruptions, and build a safer, more productive work environment for all.

Why EHS Risk Assessments Matter

A comprehensive EHS risk assessment helps organizations:

• Protect workers by identifying hazards that could cause injury or illness
• Reduce liability by demonstrating due diligence and proactive management of known risks.
• Stay compliant with OSHA, EPA, state agencies, and industry-specific requirements.
• Lower costs by preventing accidents, claims, and unplanned downtime.
• Build a safety culture where employees see management’s commitment to their well-being.

In today’s regulatory and competitive business climate, ignoring EHS risks is a gamble few organizations can afford.

What a Risk Assessment Involves

The risk assessment process is more than just a checklist—it’s a cycle of continuous improvement.

A thorough EHS risk assessment typically includes:

• Hazard Identification: Review the workplace to pinpoint chemical, physical, biological, and ergonomic risks. This may involve site walkthroughs, employee interviews, and records review.
• Risk Evaluation: Determine the likelihood of an incident and the potential severity of its consequences. A minor hazard may need monitoring, while a high-probability, high-severity hazard demands immediate control.
• Control Measures: Apply the hierarchy of controls—elimination, substitution, engineering controls, administrative controls, and personal protective equipment (PPE)—to reduce risk to acceptable levels.
• Documentation and Training: Record findings, corrective actions, and timelines. Communicate results to staff and provide training where needed to ensure controls are understood and followed.
• Monitoring and Review: Risk assessments aren’t one-and-done exercises. Regular reviews keep programs current with changes in operations, equipment, staffing, or regulations.

Common Hazards Addressed in EHS Risk Assessments

• Chemical exposures such as silica, asbestos, or formaldehyde.
• Physical hazards including heat stress, noise, or fall risks.
• Biological hazards like Legionella in water systems or mold in damp environments.
• Ergonomic issues from repetitive motions or poorly designed workstations.
• Emergency preparedness gaps, from wildfire smoke infiltration to flood recovery challenges.

Each workplace has its own unique profile, but a structured assessment ensures nothing is overlooked.

The Value of Professional Support

While some organizations handle risk assessments internally, all can benefit from third-party expertise. Environmental health professionals bring:

• An unbiased perspective that uncovers blind spots.
• Knowledge of evolving OSHA and EPA regulations.
• Access to testing, monitoring, and data analysis tools.
• Clear recommendations tailored to your facility and industry.

Involving risk assessment experts can help you strengthen compliance and increase companywide confidence that risks are being managed thoroughly and responsibly.

EHS risk assessments are a safeguard for your workers, your business, and your reputation. At FACS, our environmental health and industrial hygiene experts help organizations identify hazards, implement controls, and stay compliant with confidence.

To take a proactive step toward safety and success for your company, call FACS at (888) 711-9998 or contact us online here: https://facs.com/contact-us/.