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New Guide Provides Metrics, Best Practices for OHS Sustainability Reporting
A new guide released in June by the Center for Safety and Health Sustainability (CSHS) defines several metrics and best practices in occupational health and safety (OHS) sustainability reporting. The Best Practice Guide for Occupational Health and Safety in Sustainability Reports is intended for large organizations that are already publishing or will publish publicly available sustainability, occupational health and safety, or environmental reports. According to CSHS, sustainability information helps business leaders identify opportunities to mitigate risks and create value while helping investors and analysts understand factors that affect investment performance.
The new publication is part of a CSHS initiative to standardize OHS reporting to allow for analysis and comparison of OHS performance among organizations worldwide. CSHS views this campaign as a critical step in improving OHS performance that will ultimately prevent worker injuries, illnesses, and fatalities. 
The guide is organized into two sections: “essential elements” and “optional elements” of reporting. CSHS describes essential elements as those that “encourage analysis and comparison of organizations.” Optional elements include information related to a company’s performance against goals and OHS involvement in capital investments.
CSHS says that the metrics proposed in the guide “are standards of performance which are already accepted, understood, and operationalized by those managing health and safety at work.” According to the guide, the metrics were developed through global collaboration among the world’s largest occupational health and safety professional bodies.
The guide is available as a PDF. AIHA is a founding member of the CSHS and plays an active role with its global partners to promote safe and sustainable organizations in the U.S. and worldwide.
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