Title: Perceptions among environmental health and safety professionals on effectiveness of integrating safety and environmental management systems with lean

Authors: Charmaine Mullins-Jaime

Addresses: Department of Built Environment, Bailey College of Engineering and Technology, Indiana State University, 101 N 6th St., Terre Haute, IN 47809, USA

Abstract: This study intended to understand mutual benefits and challenges of lean integration with safety management systems (SMSs) and environmental management systems (EMSs), the relationships between varying levels of implementation, maturity, and integration of these systems with measures of organisational success, particularly safety management outcomes, from the perspective of environmental health and safety professionals working within these systems. There were significant positive relationships between the level of integration of lean with safety and environmental management systems and respondents' ratings of their organisations' safety performance, environmental performance and safety culture. Fully implemented, mature, and integrated lean, safety, and environmental management programmes were associated with better performance overall. Culture was perceived to be a challenge in the success of these systems. While full integration is not yet common, these programmes share advantages and barriers which incentivise streamlining efforts through integration. Further research is recommended on safety culture and engagement within these integrated systems.

Keywords: integrated safety management systems; lean manufacturing; safety and health protection; environmental management systems; EMSs; safety culture.

DOI: 10.1504/IJEWE.2023.134510

International Journal of Environment, Workplace and Employment, 2023 Vol.7 No.2, pp.79 - 103

Received: 25 Feb 2022
Accepted: 30 Nov 2022
Published online: 26 Oct 2023 *

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