OHSAS 18001  

          

OHSAS 18001 is an Occupation Health and Safety Assessment Series for health and safety management systems. It is intended to help an organizations to control occupational health and safety risks (OH&S). The importance of managing Occupational Health and Safety is recognized by all interested parties - employers, employees, customers, suppliers, insurers,shareholders, the community, contractors, and regulatory agencies. It enables an organization to control occupational health and safety risks risks and to improve performance.

 

 

 

OHSAS 18001 was developed in response to urgent customer demand for a recognizable occupational health and safety management systems standard against which their management system could be assessed and certified. It was created via a concerted effort from a number of the worlds leading national standards bodies,certification bodies, and specialist consultancies.

 

 

What is OHSAS?

 

OHSAS uses the prevention concept,i.e. prevention instead of cure. This is integrated in the work protection law. It states the work safety and health protection should be treated in one complete system.

Since the new edition of the ISO 9001:2000 and ISO 14001 have a process based structure, work protection can be integrated with them based on a clearly organised process.

The specification takes a structured approach to OH&S management. The emphasis is placed on practices being pro-active and preventive by the identification of hazards, evaluation and control of work related risks.

The elements for a successful work protection management system are the same as those found in other management systems. They are the basis for the continuous improvement process, which is based on both client satisfaction and employee orientation. The elements of OHSAS 18001 include:

  • Policy and commitment
  • Hazard identification, risk assessment & risk controls
  • Legal requirements
  • Objectives & Programmes
  • Organisation & personnel
  • Training, Communication & Consultation
  • Documentation & records
  • Operational Controls
  • Emergency Readiness
  • Measurement & monitoring
  • Accident & incident investigation, corrective & preventive action
  • Audit & Review

 

Who should go in for OHSAS?

 

 

OHSAS 18001 can be used by organization of all sizes regardless of the nature of their activities or location. Organizations can now achieve third party certification for their Occupational Health and Safety management system.

The OHSAS specification can be applied to any organisation that wishes to:

  • 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

 

 

 

Benefits -How can OHSAS Help?

 
  • Cost reduction through improvement in work safety.
  • Reduction in number of accidents and absenteeism.
  • Increase in employee motivation through clear structures and responsibility allocation Increased flexibility and smoother transition to changes within the organization.
  • through more transparent processes.
  • Legal security.

 

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