Retirement is reaching a milestone, with 6.3 million Americans expected to retire each year over the next four years.
It is difficult to quantify how extensively EHS professionals have contributed throughout their careers. And it would be impossible for all of us who have been protected by these professionals to properly thank them. But one way is to acknowledge that they have improved our safety over the past 40 years. Every time a new OSHA standard covers any industry, it’s up to the ingenuity of these professionals to implement these measures, which can be a daunting task. It takes a special talent to ask employees to embrace new philosophies, devise communication methods, create procedures, and, of course, the most difficult part, ensure that the procedures are followed.
And what is unique about this profession is the talent that chose it. All too often, people come to work after witnessing severe injury and even death. It takes a lot of courage to step into a career where you have to face those painful memories every day. The reward, of course, is to create, through a variety of methods, an environment in which such accidents never happen again. But how many of us choose to confront these difficult issues and push forward to make a difference?
The changes this generation faced also occurred in terms of different styles of the workforce. These boomers have had to understand and adapt to the different desires and goals of Gen X, Millennials, and now Gen Z. They have had to frequently change their entire organizational culture to accommodate the different needs of these very different generations. And they did so with great grace. I would like to add this. At a macro level, we have moved from a single focus on protecting workers’ bodies to the current iteration of safety that extends to well-being and mental health.
As employee attitudes evolve, new technologies to improve safety outcomes are being developed and implemented at an astonishing rate. Can you imagine telling someone who started their EHS career 40 years ago that people would wear sensors on their bodies to measure movement and even fatigue? ) Would they have believed you if you showed them pictures of people using them? And not to mention the dedication and time required to learn these new technologies.
Corporate structure was another area that this generation had to overcome. Styles have changed over the years, and with each new philosophy, EHS professionals have had to learn new ways of operating. But more than that, new ideologies had to be incorporated into practices and procedures, all the while requiring employee buy-in.
Complying with a growing number of federal and state regulations was all part of the job. And I won’t even mention OSHA inspections, workers’ compensation, safety audits, or the myriad of other jobs and roles that “safety reps” have taken on over the years.
Throughout their careers, they have not only overcome all these challenges, but also grown. When I talk to EHS professionals, I’m always struck by their enthusiasm at the end of their careers. They describe programs and policies they created or implemented that made a difference in the lives of their employees. And the underlying theme of these conversations is the personal commitment they have to this field, and why they’re in this work and what it means to them. will be revealed.
Therefore, I thank those of us who have benefited from the years of hard work, dedication and genuine care you have shown for our well-being. Although we can never repay the debt we owe you, we honor you by passing on the knowledge and wisdom you have so generously shared with us.
thank you.
