What is BS / OHSAS 18001:2007?

By Karen MacKenzie
SQMC Associate

HEALTH AND SAFETY? – TALK TO THE HAND!

Once upon a time, long, long ago, before 1974, we had the Factories Act and active Trade Unions fighting for workers’ rights, particularly in relation to Health and Safety. However, as in all things, the wheel turns, things change and now we have the Health and Safety at Work Act, less powerful trade unions and an extremely litigious society. This being the case, most of us walk around on eggshells where Health and Safety is concerned and do our ostrich impersonations when volunteers are sought to take on Health and Safety roles, forgetting that ignorance is not defence in law. It’s a bit like, trying to hide so that we don’t get picked to be the goalie in the local football team as we are sure to get the blame for any goals we let in.

Nonetheless, Health and Safety at work is an issue affecting all businesses and implementing an Occupational Health and Safety (OH&S) Management System is now a legal requirement in many countries. In addition, companies are increasingly required to report on their health and safety performance. This makes it vital to demonstrate that your organisation delivers on its policy commitments. Independent assessment and certification of your Occupational Health and Safety Management System provides assurance that you have an effective system in place.

The OHSAS 18001 standard has been designed to be compatible and harmonised with other international management system standards, especially ISO 14001 for Environmental Management Systems. Therefore OHSAS 18001 is ideal for integration with other management systems and processes.

 Why is OHSAS 18001 Management System certification good for my business?

There are several benefits of applying OHSAS 18001, but the most significant are tangible and demonstrable improvements in OH&S performance and a greater level of control in the area of legal compliance. SQMC run courses for internal auditors of OH&S 18001 and these have received exceptionally good feedback 

The Standard at a Glance:

* OHSAS 18001 is an internationally accepted standard for OH&S Management Systems. It is applicable to any type of organisations, large or small, within any business sector.
 
* It provides a framework based on the well-established management principles of: Plan-Do-Check-Act. It requires the organisation to investigate its health and safety risks related to its activities and products/services, to evaluate and control the risks, and to set clear objectives and targets to improve on its performance.
 
* OHSAS 18001 requires an organisation to clearly understand the OH&S legal requirements that apply.

"Health and Safety at work is an issue affecting all businesses."

Related Subjects:

Quality Management Systems

Environmental Management Systems

Health and Safety Management Systems

Quality Tools and Techniques

Project Management

Human Resources

Trainer Training