14-03-2025
Key Takeaways From the London EHSxTech Meeting
As organizations navigate an increasingly complex business environment, Environmental, Health, and Safety (EHS) professionals play a critical role in risk management and operational resilience. The February 2025 EMEA London EHSxTech meeting, highlighted essential strategies for positioning EHS as a key contributor to business productivity and resilience. Discussions centered around influencing leadership, demonstrating business value, and leveraging AI for safety advancements. Below are more details on the key themes and takeaways from the presentations and discussions.
1. EHS: A Strategic Partner in Crisis Management
By Eithne Clinton, Google EMEA EHS Lead
In today's volatile landscape, with challenges ranging from geopolitical instability and civil unrest to the increasing impact of severe weather events, crisis management and preparedness are more important than ever. Eithne emphasized the critical role of EHS in this context. Google's Crisis Management Framework, encompassing preparation, response, and recovery, was detailed, highlighting EHS's vital contributions at each stage. This includes proactive risk assessment and planning before a crisis, effective communication during, and thorough recovery, including conducting thorough post-crisis reviews, afterward. Preparedness for events like CBRNE incidents, through programs such as Shelter-in-Place, was also discussed.
Key takeaways underscore that EHS is a vital partner in supporting business crisis management. Proactive planning is paramount, and continuous improvement through collaboration and training is crucial. Ultimately, EHS serves as a trusted advisor in navigating crises, solidifying our position at the leadership table in the post-COVID era.
2. Influencing Without Authority
Facilitated Discussion
EHS professionals often need to drive internal change without having direct authority. The key to influencing leadership and stakeholders lies in strategic engagement, financial justification, and personalizing risks.
Effective Strategies for Influence
Takeaway: By linking EHS initiatives to business risk, employee well-being, and legal compliance, professionals can drive change even without direct authority.
3. EHS in the Age of AI
Presented by Karl Huntzicker, Salesforce
As AI continues to shape industries, EHS leaders have an opportunity to integrate new technologies for better risk management, compliance, and employee well-being.
'As EHS professionals we need to steer how AI will be used in the field, the future is what we make it' – Karl Huntzicker, Salesforce.
AI's Role in EHS Management
At the end of the day, it's important to remember 'it's not AI replacing humans, it's humans using AI.' By automating routine tasks, AI allows EHS professionals to focus on high-level decision-making and strategy.
Takeaway: We are in the early days of AI, and the future is bright. We expect AI to be a game-changer in EHS by reducing administrative burden, improving crisis response, and providing actionable insights into workplace safety risks.
4. Proactively Addressing Occupational Health (OH) for a Healthier Workforce
There is often a lack of understanding around Occupational Health (OH) in the tech industry. Think of approaching it through two perspectives: risk management and long-term strategy. Risk mitigation is taking care of the employees today, and the strategy component is how we improve things for tomorrow and provide that healthy working space. Proactive health management in the workplace is not just about compliance—it's about creating an environment where employees can thrive.
Best Practices in Occupational Health
Workforce Well-Being as a Competitive Advantage
Takeaway: A healthy workforce is a productive workforce. Organizations that invest in employee well-being position themselves as employers of choice while mitigating long-term business risks.
Final Thoughts: The Future of EHS
Across all discussions, a few central themes emerged:
