How many EH&S professionals does your company need?

The right number of environmental health and safety (EH&S) professionals can make all the difference in preventing accidents, avoiding costly fines, and fostering a culture of safety. But how do you determine the right number for your organization? It’s not a simple one-size-fits-all answer. Various factors come into play, from the size of your workforce to the specific hazards present in your industry.

What the data tells us

In November 2024, J. J. Keller & Associates, Inc. launched its first annual EH&S benchmarking study to uncover the challenges EH&S professionals face. The survey welcomed all individuals with EH&S responsibilities to participate.

One of the standout questions in the survey was: How many full-time EH&S professionals does your company employ? The chart below shows the results from the survey participants.

The participants’ results offer valuable insights for organizations evaluating their EH&S staffing needs. Companies with fewer than 500 employees typically had at least one EH&S professional on board. However, for organizations with over 1,000 employees, it was clear that having more than five full-time EH&S professionals was the norm.

Key factors to consider

Determining the right number of EH&S professionals for your organization might seem challenging. However, by examining a few key factors, you can confidently make this decision. Each organization is unique, with different requirements that must be assessed. When considering the number of EH&S professionals needed, it’s crucial to evaluate factors such as:

Size of the organization: Larger companies with more employees or multiple locations generally need more safety professionals to manage risks effectively. Small organizations may only need one or two safety professionals.

Industry type: Some higher hazard industries, like construction, manufacturing, healthcare, or oil and gas, face higher safety risks and may require a larger safety team to ensure compliance with OSHA and other regulatory standards. Industries with lower risk may require fewer safety professionals.

Regulatory requirements: Some industry types are subject to stricter regulations, such as OSHA, EPA, and even local requirements. Compliance with these regulations might require a more dedicated or specialized safety team, such as fire safety or hazardous materials handling experts.

Complexity of operations: If the organization involves complex operations or high-risk activities, like chemical processing or heavy machinery, it may require specialized safety professionals, such as environmental health and safety officers, fire protection engineers, or industrial hygienists.

Company culture: Company culture plays a big role in safety staffing. Some organizations take a proactive approach, creating a dedicated team focused solely on safety. These experts are always on the lookout for hazards, conduct regular training, and keep safety protocols up to date.

Other companies integrate safety responsibilities into various departments, like human resources, operations, or facilities management. This approach can lead to a smaller dedicated safety team because the duties are spread out. While this can work well in lower-risk environments, it requires strong communication and coordination to ensure safety standards are consistently met.