2024 EH&S Trends Shaping Actionable Change in 2025

In 2024, the EH&S industry saw a surge in conversations around three key topics: adoption of new technologies, the growing focus on total worker health, and the increasing importance of ESG reporting. These discussions weren’t just buzzwords—they marked the beginning of significant shifts in how companies approach safety, employee well-being, and corporate responsibility. 

As we move into 2025, the challenge lies in turning these conversations into actionable goals that create measurable, positive change. In this post, we’ll explore how these trends are shaping the future of EH&S management, and how TES is staying ahead of the curve by integrating innovation and proactive solutions across our departments. 

1. The Role of Digitization in EH&S Management

Gone are the days of cumbersome spreadsheets and manual data entry. With the rise of EH&S management software, companies are transitioning to more streamlined, efficient ways to handle everything from incident reporting to compliance tracking. Digitization allows for real-time monitoring, centralized data repositories, and better decision-making through data analytics. 

This shift doesn’t just simplify processes; it improves transparency and accountability. Digitized EH&S solutions reduce administrative burden, allowing everyone from entry level technicians to upper management to focus more on their core responsibilities, improve access to actionable data, enabling quicker and more informed decisions to ensure compliance and workplace safety. 

Specifically at TES our Industrial Hygiene division was an early adopter for a new software called myIH™. After a successful trial, the entire department integrated myIH™ into its daily operations, streamlining data collection, improving sampling accuracy, and enhancing report quality. Building on this success, our Environmental team is now trialing myIH™ to streamline onsite sampling procedures and catalog observations in real-time, allowing for faster, more reliable results. 

In the safety department, we’ve adopted the VISICS camera system for turnaround jobs, offering a hybrid approach that includes traditional onsite safety technicians alongside seamless camera monitoring. This advanced system not only creates a safer working environment but also helps prevent accidents and reduces overall job costs for clients. By leveraging the power of technology, TES is setting a new standard for safety and efficiency on every project. 

2. Total Health Programs: More Than Just Physical Safety

While physical safety in the workplace remains a top priority, there is growing recognition of the importance of mental health as part of a holistic approach to employee well-being. Total health programs integrate mental health resources, stress management training, and support systems that create a healthier, more resilient workforce. 

Organizations implementing these programs see measurable benefits—reduced absenteeism, increased productivity, and a positive company culture. By acknowledging that mental health impacts job performance and employee safety, companies are positioning themselves as leaders in fostering a supportive work environment. 

Small but impactful changes can create a better working environment for employees. Here are just a few examples that are becoming popular across all industries look to improve their employees overall experience. 

• Promote work-life balance: Encourage flexible working hours and reasonable workloads to prevent burnout and maintain employee satisfaction. 

• Foster open communication: Creating a culture of honest, transparent dialogue reduces stress and fosters trust within the organization. 

• Provide mental health resources: Where possible, offer access to counseling services or partner with local mental health providers to give employees the support they need. 

Additional ways to support total worker health include encouraging team-building activities, providing quiet spaces for breaks, and offering wellness programs that focus on mindfulness, nutrition, and physical fitness. When companies prioritize both physical and mental health, they create a safer, more productive, and engaged workforce. 

3. ESG Reporting: Navigating New Expectations

ESG reporting offers a range of benefits for companies, particularly in terms of transparency, as it provides clear insights into a company’s environmental and social practices. This transparency helps build trust with key stakeholders, including employees, investors, and the public. Additionally, companies that proactively engage in ESG reporting often gain a competitive advantage, as they are viewed as more forward-thinking, socially conscious, and sustainable, which can significantly enhance their market reputation. Another key advantage is risk management—tracking ESG metrics allows organizations to identify and address potential risks related to environmental impact, employee well-being, and governance issues before they escalate. 

However, there are challenges associated with ESG reporting. For one, cost and resource allocation can be a major hurdle, especially for smaller organizations that may lack the financial and human resources to develop comprehensive ESG reports. Another issue is the lack of standardization in ESG reporting, as requirements can vary significantly between industries and regions, making it difficult to compare data consistently across companies. Lastly, there’s the risk of greenwashing, where companies might exaggerate their ESG efforts to improve their public image without implementing meaningful or lasting changes. 

This balance of benefits and challenges makes ESG reporting an important but complex topic that continues to evolve as companies strive for genuine improvements in their environmental and social impact. 

Looking Ahead: 

As the EH&S industry continues to evolve, the discussions that dominated 2024—digitization, total worker health, and ESG reporting—are no longer just emerging trends; they are crucial components of a sustainable future. But conversations alone aren’t enough. Moving forward, organizations must turn these insights into actionable strategies that improve both workplace safety and operational efficiency. 

Digitizing EH&S management, for example, isn’t just about adopting new software—it’s about optimizing workflows, enhancing real-time decision-making, and creating safer environments for employees. Similarly, prioritizing mental health goes beyond offering resources; it requires companies to foster a culture where work-life balance and open communication are integral parts of daily operations. When it comes to ESG reporting, companies must move past the fear of cost or complexity and instead see it as an opportunity to build transparency, trust, and long-term value.