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What does an EHS Manager do?

Updated January 8, 2025
7 min read
What does an EHS Manager do

An environmental health & safety (EHS) manager is in charge of developing and implementing safety programs for a company's workforce and work environment. Their responsibilities revolve around conducting regular inspections to ensure compliance with safety and environmental regulations, devising preventive measures, spearheading training and seminars, and investigating workplace accidents and identify causes to ensure that it would not happen again. Furthermore, as a manager, it is essential to lead and encourage the team to reach goals, all while implementing every policy and safety regulation of the company.

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Ehs manager responsibilities

Here are examples of responsibilities from real ehs manager resumes:

  • Manage site EHS database, Gensuite.
  • Manage cross-functional teams/committees in development and implementation of robust proactive ergonomics program.
  • Focuse on achieving the highest levels of HSE performance through behavior-base initiatives, auditing, mentoring and expeditiously implementing change.
  • Keep all SDS materials to date.
  • Purchase and implement a software program for recordkeeping and management of costs.
  • Develop a working relationship with local CDL schools to recruit newly graduate truck driving students.
  • Develop and train management and staff in all areas of ISO 9001 , 14001 and OHSAS 18001.
  • Ensure ISO 14001 and OHSAS 18001 certification maintain and develop goals and targets for all EHS programs.
  • Train new applicants on all laws and regulations to become proficient in receiving their CDL with endorsements.
  • Facilitate the transition from a non-compliant facility to a pro-active leader in safety and EPA regulatory programs.
  • Program administrator for respiratory protection, hazard communication, hearing conservation, ergonomics, and heat stress prevention.
  • Develop and implement EHS staffing plan for construction projects utilizing contractors for oversight of regulatory and company policy compliance.
  • Provide oversight to contractors relate to construction, demolition, fire safety and construction code, and redevelopment authority.
  • Establish a reporting system that centralize all work relate incident reports for proper documentation to fulfill OSHA recordkeeping and reporting requirements.
  • Work orders for repair to new stairwells, straight ladders with cages, and proper hand rail rating and installation.

Ehs manager skills and personality traits

We calculated that 8% of EHS Managers are proficient in Environmental Health, Continuous Improvement, and Ehs Management. They’re also known for soft skills such as Collaboration skills, Instructional skills, and Business skills.

We break down the percentage of EHS Managers that have these skills listed on their resume here:

  • Environmental Health, 8%

    Directed, managed and coordinated all aspects of Manufacturing, Purchasing and Environmental Health and Safety for alternative/renewable energy firm.

  • Continuous Improvement, 6%

    Drive continuous improvement and operational effectiveness of EHS programs, procedures and tools to ensure compliance with regulatory requirements.

  • Ehs Management, 5%

    Developed awareness initiatives that reinforce SMART, VPP and the SW EHS Management System in order to encourage employee involvement.

  • EPA, 4%

    Facilitated the transition from a non-compliant facility to a pro-active leader in safety and EPA regulatory programs.

  • Risk Assessments, 4%

    Oversee all safety/industrial hygiene/environmental activities to provide proper risk assessments and implementing effective exposure assessments for the regional business group.

  • Corrective Action, 4%

    Conducted site evaluations, developed corrective actions, coordinated incident, accident and injury investigations, and performed root-cause analysis.

Most ehs managers use their skills in "environmental health," "continuous improvement," and "ehs management" to do their jobs. You can find more detail on essential ehs manager responsibilities here:

Collaboration skills. One of the key soft skills for an ehs manager to have is collaboration skills. You can see how this relates to what ehs managers do because "training and development managers need strong interpersonal skills because delivering training programs requires working in concert with staff, trainees, subject matter experts, and the organization’s leaders." Additionally, an ehs manager resume shows how ehs managers use collaboration skills: "engaged in cross- functional collaboration with geologists, engineers, investors, legal, and hr. "

Instructional skills. Another essential skill to perform ehs manager duties is instructional skills. Ehs managers responsibilities require that "training and development managers need to understand the fundamentals of teaching and lesson planning." Ehs managers also use instructional skills in their role according to a real resume snippet: "advised community college instructors in ehs training, instructional design and adult learning. "

Business skills. This is an important skill for ehs managers to perform their duties. For an example of how ehs manager responsibilities depend on this skill, consider that "training and development managers must understand business operations in order to match training with business goals." This excerpt from a resume also shows how vital it is to everyday roles and responsibilities of an ehs manager: "develop and implement all ehs, emergency response, business recovery and asset protection programs. ".

Leadership skills. A big part of what ehs managers do relies on "leadership skills." You can see how essential it is to ehs manager responsibilities because "managers are often in charge of a staff and programs." Here's an example of how this skill is used from a resume that represents typical ehs manager tasks: "reduced dart rate by70% maintain dot files manage the hazardous waste program maintained membership in colorado environmental leadership program. "

Communication skills. A commonly-found skill in ehs manager job descriptions, "communication skills" is essential to what ehs managers do. Ehs manager responsibilities rely on this skill because "training and development managers must clearly convey information to diverse audiences." You can also see how ehs manager duties rely on communication skills in this resume example: "managed the tracking and communication of safety/security objectives including iso 14001. "

Most common ehs manager skills

The three companies that hire the most ehs managers are:

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Compare different ehs managers

Ehs manager vs. Industrial hygienist

An Industrial Hygienist plans and conducts health programs to educate employees about cleanliness, safety, and sanitation in the workplace. They investigate adequacy of ventilation, exhaust equipment, lighting, and other conditions that can affect employees' health, comfort, or efficiency.

If we compare the average ehs manager annual salary with that of an industrial hygienist, we find that industrial hygienists typically earn a $26,147 lower salary than ehs managers make annually.While the two careers have a salary gap, they share some of the same responsibilities. Employees in both ehs manager and industrial hygienist positions are skilled in environmental health, ehs management, and epa.

While similarities exist, there are also some differences between ehs managers and industrial hygienist. For instance, ehs manager responsibilities require skills such as "continuous improvement," "oversight," "regulatory agencies," and "safety policies." Whereas a industrial hygienist is skilled in "osha," "indoor air quality," "ventilation," and "occupational health hazards." This is part of what separates the two careers.

Industrial hygienists earn the highest salaries when working in the energy industry, with an average yearly salary of $93,692. On the other hand, ehs managers are paid more in the technology industry with an average salary of $96,976.The education levels that industrial hygienists earn slightly differ from ehs managers. In particular, industrial hygienists are 0.2% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree than an ehs manager. Additionally, they're 0.5% more likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.

Ehs manager vs. Environmental health and safety director

An Environmental Health And Safety Director ensures a company's compliance with local, state, and federal environment, health, and safety regulations. Their main duty is to protect employees, customers, and the environment.

On average, environmental health and safety directors earn a $2,257 lower salary than ehs managers a year.While the salary may differ for these jobs, they share a few skills needed to perform their duties. Based on resume data, both ehs managers and environmental health and safety directors have skills such as "environmental health," "continuous improvement," and "ehs management. "

Each career also uses different skills, according to real ehs manager resumes. While ehs manager responsibilities can utilize skills like "safety regulations," "safety committee," "safety procedures," and "ergonomics," environmental health and safety directors use skills like "ehs," "osha," "risk management," and "sustainability."

Environmental health and safety directors earn a lower average salary than ehs managers. But environmental health and safety directors earn the highest pay in the finance industry, with an average salary of $112,310. Additionally, ehs managers earn the highest salaries in the technology with average pay of $96,976 annually.environmental health and safety directors earn similar levels of education than ehs managers in general. They're 0.2% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree and 0.5% more likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.

Ehs manager vs. Environmental, safety, & health engineer

An environmental, safety, and health engineer is responsible for developing procedures and designing systems to help prevent an injury, an illness, and property damage. You will perform a few tasks that include monitoring the conditions of the natural surroundings and the impact of humans, assessing potential hazards such as soil, water, and air contaminants, and developing solutions that will benefit the ecosystem and the community. You will also be responsible for developing structures that promote public safety, such as floodgates and bridges.

On average scale, environmental, safety, & health engineers bring in lower salaries than ehs managers. In fact, they earn a $24,682 lower salary per year.By looking over several ehs managers and environmental, safety, & health engineers resumes, we found that both roles require similar skills in their day-to-day duties, such as "environmental health," "continuous improvement," and "ehs management." But beyond that, the careers look very different.

The required skills of the two careers differ considerably. For example, ehs managers are more likely to have skills like "safety training," "oversight," "safety policies," and "safety program." But a environmental, safety, & health engineer is more likely to have skills like "osha," "ehs," "safety equipment," and "environmental safety."

Environmental, safety, & health engineers make a very good living in the technology industry with an average annual salary of $79,721. On the other hand, ehs managers are paid the highest salary in the technology industry, with average annual pay of $96,976.Most environmental, safety, & health engineers achieve a similar degree level compared to ehs managers. For example, they're 2.0% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree, and 0.1% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.

Ehs manager vs. Safety supervisor

A safety supervisor is responsible for monitoring the overall operations of a production, ensuring the safety and security of everyone, and enforcing strict regulations and protocols. Safety supervisors organize safety orientations and training for the workers, as well as reiterating disciplinary measures and policies and procedures during meetings. They inspect the workplace, including the maintenance of tools and equipment, immediately calling for repair for any defective items found. A safety supervisor also assists with the investigation of workplace hazards to prevent such complications in the future.

Safety supervisors tend to earn a lower pay than ehs managers by an average of $28,928 per year.While both ehs managers and safety supervisors complete day-to-day tasks using similar skills like ehs management, epa, and risk assessments, the two careers vary in some skills.Each job also requires different skills to carry out their responsibilities. An ehs manager uses "environmental health," "continuous improvement," "local regulations," and "oversight." Safety supervisors are more likely to have duties that require skills in "osha," "patrol," "site safety," and "cpr. "safety supervisors enjoy the best pay in the energy industry, with an average salary of $76,175. For comparison, ehs managers earn the highest salary in the technology industry.The average resume of safety supervisors showed that they earn lower levels of education compared to ehs managers. So much so that theyacirc;euro;trade;re 10.5% less likely to earn a Master's Degree and more likely to earn a Doctoral Degree by 0.0%.

Types of ehs manager

Updated January 8, 2025

Zippia Research Team
Zippia Team

Editorial Staff

The Zippia Research Team has spent countless hours reviewing resumes, job postings, and government data to determine what goes into getting a job in each phase of life. Professional writers and data scientists comprise the Zippia Research Team.

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