All workplaces exist in a social context, and organizations often have a degree of corporate responsibility to stakeholders outside of the organization. In the context of OHS, organizations may have safety impacts on surrounding environments or populations. In some workplaces, the OHS professional may be required to evaluate the impact of various policies or strategies in the context of corporate social responsibility. In order to act as an effective resource in this area, the OHS professional should demonstrate understanding of the following concepts:

– How an organization balances its needs as a commercial entity and commitments to external stakeholders
– The impact of businesses on their local environment
– How OHS practices can impact a local population, environment, and organizational reputation