How many EHS professionals does it take to screw in a light bulb?
Fun question, but a more important one is how many EHS professionals are needed to ensure workplace compliance and employee safety?
Ensuring workplace safety and compliance is no joke. The right number of Environmental Health and Safety (EHS) professionals can make all the difference in preventing accidents, avoiding costly fines, and fostering a culture of safety.
But how do you determine the right number for your organization? It's not a simple one-size-fits-all answer. Various factors come into play, from the size of your workforce to the specific hazards present in your industry.
What the data tells us
In November 2024, J.J. Keller & Associates, Inc. launched its first annual EHS benchmarking study to uncover the challenges EHS professionals face. The survey welcomed all individuals with EHS responsibilities to participate.
One of the standout questions in the survey was: How many full-time EHS professionals does your company employ? The chart below shows the results from the survey participants.
The participants' results offer valuable insights for organizations evaluating their EHS staffing needs. Companies with fewer than 500 employees typically had at least one EHS professional on board. However, for organizations with over 1,000 employees, it was clear that having more than five full-time EHS professionals was the norm.

Key factors to consider
Determining the right number of EHS professionals for your organization might seem challenging. However, by examining a few key factors, you can confidently make this decision. Each organization is unique, with different requirements that must be assessed. When considering the number of EHS professionals needed, it's crucial to evaluate factors such as:
Size of the organization: Larger companies with more employees or multiple locations generally need more safety professionals to manage risks effectively. Small organizations may only need one or two safety professionals.
Industry type: Some higher hazard industries, like construction, manufacturing, healthcare, or oil and gas, face higher safety risks and may require a larger safety team to ensure compliance with OSHA and other regulatory standards. Industries with lower risk may require fewer safety professionals.
Regulatory requirements: Some industry types are subject to stricter regulations, such as OSHA, EPA, and even local requirements. Compliance with these regulations might require a more dedicated or specialized safety team, such as fire safety or hazardous materials handling experts.
Complexity of operations: If the organization involves complex operations or high-risk activities, like chemical processing or heavy machinery, it may require specialized safety professionals, such as environmental health and safety officers, fire protection engineers, or industrial hygienists.
Company culture: Company culture plays a big role in safety staffing. Some organizations take a proactive approach, creating a dedicated team focused solely on safety. These experts are always on the lookout for hazards, conduct regular training, and keep safety protocols up to date.
Other companies integrate safety responsibilities into various departments, like HR, operations, or facilities management. This approach can lead to a smaller dedicated safety team because the duties are spread out. While this can work well in lower-risk environments, it requires strong communication and coordination to ensure safety standards are consistently met.
Key to remember: Determining the right number of EHS professionals your organization needs means looking at several key factors, like the size of your workplace, the types of hazards present, regulatory requirements, and safety culture. By considering these factors, you can ensure your safety team is just the right size to keep your workplace safe and compliant.