An occupational health and safety management system (OHSMS) promotes a safe and healthy working environment by providing a framework that allows your organization to consistently identify and control its health and safety risks, reduce the potential for accidents, aid legislative compliance, and improve overall performance.
Demonstrate Your Commitment to Occupational Health and Safety
More and more organizations are concerned about demonstrating their commitment to occupational health and safety. Although this is crucial for employees, it’s also important for customers and other stakeholders. In addition, stricter legislation demands that organizations show a clear, proactive commitment toward the health and safety of their employees. Certification to OHSAS 18001 enables you to demonstrate your commitment to occupational health and safety, as well as continuously improve your related management systems.
What Is OHSAS 18001?
The OHSAS 18001 standard is the internationally recognized assessment specification for occupational health and safety management systems. It was developed by a selection of leading trade bodies, international standards, and certification bodies to address a gap where no third-party certifiable international standard exists. Based on the established principles of Plan-Do-Check-Act, it also provides guidance on how to manage the health and safety aspects of your business activities more effectively, while taking into careful consideration accident prevention, risk reduction, and the well-being of employees.
The OHSAS 18001 standard was designed to be compatible with the ISO 9001 (quality) and ISO 14001 (environmental) management systems standards in order to facilitate the integration of quality, environmental, and occupational health and safety (OH&S) management systems by organizations.
The OHSAS 18001:2007 standard, published on July 1, 2007, is more results-oriented than the earlier version. It is better aligned with ISO 9001:2000 and ISO 14001:2004. This is intended to further encourage management systems integration and possibly increase interest in the OHSAS standard.
The OHSAS 18001:2007 standard addresses the following key areas:
- Hazard identification, risk assessment, and determining controls
- Legal and other requirements
- Objectives and OHS program(s)
- Resources, roles, responsibility, accountability, and authority
- Competence, training, and awareness
- Communication, participation, and consultation
- Operational control
- Emergency preparedness and response
- Performance measuring, monitoring, and improvement
The Benefits of OHSAS 18001
Certification to OHSAS 18001 can positively improve the efficiency of internal operations and consequently reduce accidents, danger, and downtime. Employee safety and the quality of the working environment are actively improved because objectives and responsibilities are made clearer and all employees are prepared to effectively deal with any future hazards. Adherence to OHSAS 18001 ensures compliance with current legal requirements, reducing the risk of penalties or possible litigation.
Certification to OHSAS 18001 enables you to demonstrate high levels of occupational health and safety when bidding for international contracts, expanding locally to accommodate new business, or negotiating insurance premiums.
Regular assessments help you to continually use, monitor, and improve your OHSAS management systems and related processes. This improves the reliability of your internal operations to meet customer requirements; it additionally aids your organization’s overall performance. You may also gain a significant improvement in your staff’s motivation, commitment, and understanding of their responsibility in helping ensure workplace safety
What Makes Occupational Health and Safety Management Systems Best in Class?
The OHSAS 18001 standard enables organizations to manage operational risks and improve performance. It also provides guidance on health and safety assessment and how to manage the health and safety aspects of your business activities more effectively, while taking into careful consideration accident prevention, risk reduction, and the well-being of your employees.
Oriel STAT A MATRIX provides directed consulting and training services for OHSAS 18001. Contact us to learn more.