Occupational Health & Safety Management Systems

Introduction

Health and safety at work is an issue affecting all businesses. Implementing an occupational health and safety (OHS) system is now a legal requirement in many countries. Many organizations are implementing an Occupational Health and Safety Management System (OHSMS) as part of their risk management strategy to address changing legislation and to protect their workforce. An OHSMS promotes a safe and healthy working environment and helps to reduce the risk of accidents, litigation and downtime.

Implementing an Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) Management System provides a framework for managing OHS responsibilities within an organization, so they become more efficient and more integrated into overall business operations.

OHSMS are based on standards, inducing a process of continuously improving OHS performance and complying with legislation. An internationally recognized assessment specification is OHSAS 18001, based on the original British Standard - BS 8800.

Implementing a OHSAS 18001 management system will benefit in:

• Reducing risks
• Giving competitive advantages,
• Helping companies stay in compliance with legal requirements,
• Improving overall performance.

OHSAS stands for Occupational Health & Safety Assessment Series and represents an international occupational health and safety management system specification.

It was created from the British Standard for Occupational Health and Safety Management Systems BS 8800:1996 and is comprised two parts, 18001 and 18002:

• OHSAS 18001:1999 - Occupational Health and Safety Management. Specifications
• OHSAS 18002:2000 - Occupational Health and Safety Management Systems. Guidelines for the implementation of OHSAS 18001

Benefits of implementing an OHSAS 18001 compliant OH&S management system

• Establish an OH&S management system to eliminate or minimise risk to employees and other interested parties who may be exposed to OH&S risks associated with its activities
• Assure itself of its conformance with its stated OH&S policy
• Demonstrate such conformance to others
• Implement, maintain and continually improve an OH&S management system
• Make a self-determination and declaration of conformance with this OHSAS specification.
• Seek certification/registration of its OH&S management system by an external organisation

OHSAS 18001 - table of contents:

Implementing OHSAS 18001

Planning
During the planning stage you should:

1. Make sure you have the commitment of top management.
2. Define, authorized by top management, the company's occupational health and safety policy.
3. Establish a framework for identifying hazards, assessing risks and implementation necessary control measures.
4. Identify and understand legal obligations, set objectives and implement a management program for achieving them.
5. Document this entire process.

1. Establish roles and responsibilities within the system.
2. Develop procedures for consultation and communication of OHS information to employees and other interested parties.
3. Document your processes and develop a system of document and data control.
4. Apply an operational contro systeml.
5. Establish emergency plans and procedures.

1. Introducing performance, measuring and monitoring practices.
2. Establishing and documenting responsibility and authority for accidents, incidents, non-conformities and corrective & preventative action.
3. Establishing a procedure for records and records management.
4. Auditing and assessing the performance of the management system.
5. Performing management reviews of the system at identified and defined intervals.

Gaining registration
Registration is a phased approach adding value and facilitating the development of the system. During registration your OHSAS 18001 management system will be assessed.

Continual assessment
Once you have received registration and been awarded your certificate, you may start to advertise your success and promote your business. The registrar will periodically pay you visits to ensure that your management system continues to meet the requirements.