EHS Risk Recalibrated
The EHS industry is at a pivotal moment, where emerging technologies open new possibilities while long-standing practices require refinement. Despite progress, serious injuries and fatalities (SIFs) remain persistently high, and traditional safety metrics no longer capture the true risks organizations face. Meanwhile, EHS leaders are expected to do more with fewer resources as they navigate evolving hazards, digital transformation, and growing expectations around physical and mental wellbeing.
This blog shares key insights from Risk Recalibrated: 2026 Executive Leadership Report on AI, SIF, and Human-Centric EHS, a survey report by Evotix and What Works Institute offering a data-driven look at what’s ahead for health and safety.
5 Key Topics Shaping EHS in 2026
- SIF Prevention: A Critical Priority, Still Lacking Alignment
Organizations overwhelmingly agree that preventing serious injuries and fatalities (SIFs) is essential, but there’s no universal definition of what counts as a SIF. This lack of alignment leads to inconsistent data and muddled priorities, even as 80% of companies have started SIF prevention efforts. - Rethinking Metrics & Incentives
Many EHS leaders are frustrated that traditional safety metrics don’t reflect the real drivers of harm. Nearly 1 in 5 say their current metrics have little or no connection to true risk, and most agree that new, more meaningful measures are needed to move beyond compliance and prevent serious incidents. - Technology & AI: Promise, Caution, and Practical Steps
Digital tools are now the norm, 94% of EHS programs use them, but only a small fraction is moving beyond pilots to fully integrate AI. The report highlights both the opportunities and the real concerns around data quality, bias and governance and offers practical examples of how AI is being used in the industry today. - Culture & Integration: The Human Factor at the Center
Safety innovation is as much about people as it is about technology. The report shows how leadership, trust and cross-functional collaboration (still rare, with only 27% of EHS teams regularly working with HR or wellbeing) are key to building resilient, effective safety cultures. - Human-Centric EHS: Moving Beyond Compliance
There’s a growing recognition that factors like stress, fatigue and mental health are central to safety outcomes. Yet, 89% of organizations admit these human factors are not fully embedded in their EHS strategies. The report outlines how to close this gap and create systems that truly support people.
Call to Action
The report outlines eight clear calls to action and steps EHS leaders can take in response to the key topics shaping EHS in 2026.
- Align on Serious Risk Definitions and Priorities
Lead a cross-functional discussion with operations, HR, and health teams to establish or refresh a clear, shared definition of Serious Injury and Fatality (SIF) risk for your organization. - Modernize Metrics and Incentives
Champion the introduction of forward-looking safety indicators. Consider metrics such as high-potential near-miss reporting or the proportion of inspections that include psychosocial risk checks. - Shape Your AI Adoption Strategy
Drive the formation of an internal working group – EHS, IT, data analytics, and frontline representatives – to ensure AI tools are deployed safely, ethically, and in ways that genuinely enhance decision-making. - Integrate Human-Centric Safety
Embed practical prompts that capture human factors (fatigue, workload, mental load, job control) into existing processes like incident investigations and learning reviews. - Streamline Safety Systems
Take inventory of all safety, health, and wellbeing programs. Identify redundancies and opportunities to unify frameworks, for example, adopting a single risk assessment or management of change process across domains. - Strengthen Cross-Functional Collaboration
Establish recurring touchpoints with HR, occupational health, and wellbeing teams. Regular alignment can reveal shared risks and accelerate coordinated solutions. - Leverage Peer Learning and Benchmarking
Engage with external communities such as industry forums or What Works Institute Learning Communities. Use peer insights to validate approaches, spot emerging risks, and accelerate learning. - Sustain Momentum and Accountability
Translate insights into ongoing action. Revisit these priority areas frequently, measure progress, and refine strategies. EHS leadership is critical to maintaining long-term focus on SIF prevention, human-centric safety, and responsible technology adoption.
Summary
The EHS industry is at a turning point as persistent SIF rates, shifting risks, and new technologies expose the limits of traditional safety practices. The “Risk Recalibrated: 2026 Executive Leadership Report” highlights gaps in SIF definitions, outdated metrics, slow AI adoption, and limited integration of human factors. While digital tools are common, most organizations aren’t yet using them to meaningfully reduce serious harm. The report outlines eight actions to modernize metrics, align on risk, embed human-centric practices, and strengthen cross-functional collaboration. It is a timely read as EHS leaders prepare for 2026.
Source: Adopted from the survey report “Risk Recalibrated: 2026 Executive Leadership Report on AI, SIF, and Human-Centric EHS” authored by Evotix and What Works Institute.
