OSHAS 18001

Background to OSHAS 18001-2007

It is an international occupational health and safety management system specification, encompassing BS8800, AS/NZ 4801, NSAI SR 320 and a number of other publications.

OHSAS 18001 was created by several of the world’s leading national standards bodies, certification bodies, and specialist consultancies. The reason for its creation was to try to remove confusion in the workplace from the proliferation of certifiable OH&S. specifications.

OHSAS 18001 has been developed 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 management systems by organizations, should they wish to do so.

The OHSAS specification gives requirements for an occupational health and safety management system, to enable an organisation to control its occupational health and safety risks and improve its performance.

Increasingly organisations are being asked by their own potential clients to demonstrate the quality of their health and safety management and performance. Business opportunity is increasingly dependent on tangible demonstration of such standards. Company bottom line can be improved by accreditation with compliance with recognised standards.

Overview of OSHAS 18001-2007 model

The model is based on the standard Plan, Do, Check, Act cycle. Translated further this is Current Position - Policy -       Planning - Implementation and Operation -  Check and Corrective actions -  Management Review - Continual Improvement, which then informs Policy development

Main changes, OSHAS 18001-1999 and OSHAS 18001-2007

·          Emphasis on “establish, implement and maintain”.

·          Requirements for risk assessment.

·          A new hierarchy of controls.

·          Increased focus on training.

·          Additional emphasis on communication.

Benefits of OSHAS 18001-2007 Certification

OSHAS 18001-2007 can be easily harmonized with other international standards especially ISO 9001 (Quality) and ISO 14001 (Environmental) management system standards. Particular benefits are:

·         Establishment of 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.

·          Continual improvement in health and safety systems to identify control measures required and reduce occupational risk.

·          Improvements in health and safety performance and accident prevention.

·          Assurance of conformance to Policy and the demonstration of conformance.

·          Improved corporate and legal compliance.

Preparation for OSHAS 18001-2007 Certification

JRL Solutions Ltd will carry out all necessary work to prepare a client for OSHAS 18001-2007 certification. Work will be within the following protocol framework.

·          Identification of Health and Safety requirements.

·          Identification of the appropriate National and International legal requirements.

·          Establishment of objectives, targets and improvement programmes.

System Design

JRL Solutions Ltd will specifically carry out work to prepare a client for OSHAS 18001-2007 Certification in the following areas:

System Planning

·          Commitment of management through consultation and training development.

·          Defining local health and safety policy and formulating policy.

·          Determining an appropriate local risk assessment framework.

·          Identifying and building in both national and international legal obligations.

Implementation

·          Advising on appropriate organisational roles, responsibilities and job descriptions within health and safety parameters.

·          Consultation procedures to be adopted and communication systems for health and safety for employees and other relevant parties.

·          Advising on documentation processes and development of document and data control system.

·          Advising on application of operational control.

·          Establishment of plans and procedures for emergencies.

Checking Management Systems and taking Corrective Action

·       Introduction of appropriate performance, measuring and monitoring practices.

·       Establishing and documenting responsibility and authority for accident, incident investigation and corrective and preventative actions.

·       Advising on procedures for records and records management.

·       Assisting with the implementation of suitable audit arrangements to assess the performance of health and safety management systems.

·       Suggesting a system and time interval for management review.

Examples of possible Information and Questions for Clients

·          The anticipated scope and range of risk in the client operations.

·          What systems does the client plan to have in place?

·          Planned human resource organizational arrangements.

·          Size of operation viz. staff numbers and physical site area.

·          Likely workplace situations to be encountered.

·          Nature and significance of hazards.

·          Does the client plan to develop its own health and safety policy?

·          Has the client any plans to implement risk assessment procedures and have they any plans to implement control measures?

·          How are incidents and accidents to be reported?

·          What plans does the client have to manage emergency situations?

·          What are the views of any business stakeholders?

·          Is the client aware of any particular local, legal constraints?

Competencies of JRL Solutions Ltd

Staff to be used will be appropriately professionally qualified viz. Chartered Members of IOSH with supporting qualifications in all necessary fields. Of particular benefit is the allocation of Engineering and Scientific expertise in addition to Management expertise.

What next?

JRL Solutions Ltd are happy to discuss further if you are interested in preparing for accreditation. Please contact us using the contact details on this site or enquiries@jrl-solutions.com.

Chartered Health and Safety Practitioner

Eur Ing  J.R.E.Leigh BSc (Hon), CMIOSH, CEng, MIIRSM, MIET, FIMMM.

European Engineer, Member of American Society of Safety Engineers