EHS or HSE?
I am very reluctant to put myself in your league. I am just and old Manufacturing/Personnel guy that knows H&S from experience. I have no formal education in Health and Safety, and only a little formal training. I am certified, but by SHRM as a PHR.
First let us agree that the “H” stands for Health, the “S” for Safety, and the “E” for Environmental. In my former multi-national corporation, we had an “EHS” Department. I am very use to using the term “EHS.” I used to interact them quite a bit in a HR Manager with H&S responsibility. I see some of you call yourselves “HSE” professionals. It seems to me “EHS” is more a North American term, and the “HSE” is more European or English term. However, that is just my impression, I do not know if that is true?
As an HR Professional, by training and education, I have always run away from the “E” as fast as I could. So, to you professionals are you an “EHS Professional” or “HSE Professional?” I am curious.
PS The people that know me say, “Fitz, you are in a league of your own!” I guess I would agree. But what league are you real pros in and why?
Comments (6)
It's all a matter of preference. They all mean the same thing, even in the US. Marathon Petroleum actually calls all of their people "HES" professionals.
I agree on 2 of the 3. “Environmental” is incorrect. It is “Environment.” Why so many around the word place an adjective there is personally annoying.
Outside of that, I agree that it is largely preference and nothing more. As I’m sure you have experienced over your career, depending on the size of the company, there can be whole divisions dedicated to one of those alone. At some level though, a tripartite focus is necessary which include those three domains, equally.
I stick with H&S. No E for me. Not a fan of E. Luckily we have another department that handles Environment.
Same league you are in. :)