OHSAS 18001, now superseded by ISO 45001, was an international standard for Occupational Health and Safety Management Systems (OHSMS). It provided a framework for organizations to proactively identify and control health and safety risks, aiming to prevent workplace accidents, injuries, and illnesses. The main requirements of OHSAS 18001 OHSAS 18001 Certification cost in UK outline the steps an organization must take to establish, implement, maintain, and improve its occupational health and safety management system. These requirements are divided into several key sections:
1. Health and Safety Policy
The organization must establish and maintain an occupational health and safety policy that outlines its commitment to managing health and safety risks. This policy must demonstrate a commitment to preventing injury and ill-health, complying with legal and other requirements, and continually improving its health and safety management system. The policy should be communicated to all employees and relevant stakeholders and serve as a guiding framework for the organization's approach to health and safety.
2. Planning
Planning is a critical element of OHSAS 18001. The organization must identify health and safety hazards, assess associated risks, and implement measures to control those risks. The planning process includes:
- Hazard Identification and Risk Assessment: Organizations must assess their operations to identify potential hazards that could harm employees or others. A risk assessment is conducted to evaluate the severity and likelihood of these hazards, OHSAS 18001 Certification process in UK leading to the implementation of controls to mitigate the risks.
- Legal and Other Requirements: The organization must identify and comply with applicable health and safety laws, regulations, and other requirements, such as industry standards or contractual obligations.
- Objectives and Targets: The organization should set measurable objectives and targets to improve health and safety performance. These should be aligned with the overall health and safety policy and reviewed regularly to ensure continuous improvement.
3. Implementation and Operation
The organization must establish processes to implement the health and safety management system effectively. This involves:
- Structure and Responsibility: Clearly defined roles, responsibilities, and authorities for managing health and safety across the organization must be established. Employees at all levels must be aware of their roles in maintaining a safe workplace.
- Training, Awareness, and Competence: The organization must ensure that all employees are adequately trained to perform their jobs safely. Employees should be made aware of potential hazards and receive training on safe work practices.
- Communication and Consultation: Effective communication channels should be established to discuss health and safety issues, including employee feedback and consultation on safety matters. OHSAS 18001 Services in UK This ensures that everyone is involved in the safety process.
- Documentation and Control of Documents: The organization must maintain adequate documentation of health and safety processes, procedures, and records. This ensures that information is available for decision-making and audit purposes.
4. Checking and Corrective Action
To evaluate the performance and effectiveness of the health and safety management system, organizations are required to monitor, measure, and review key performance indicators (KPIs). This includes:
- Monitoring and Measurement: Ongoing monitoring of health and safety performance, such as accident rates, near-miss reports, and compliance with safety procedures, is essential.
- Non-Conformity and Corrective Action: Any non-compliance with the health and safety management system should be addressed with corrective actions. Root causes of incidents and non-conformities must be identified and rectified to prevent recurrence.
- Internal Audits: The organization must conduct regular internal audits to assess the effectiveness of the health and safety management system and identify areas for improvement.
5. Management Review
Top management is required to periodically review the health and safety management system to ensure its continuing suitability, adequacy, and effectiveness. This review should include an analysis of:
- Performance results, including incident reports and audit findings
- Progress toward meeting objectives and targets
- Changes in legal or other requirements
- Opportunities for improvement and corrective actions
6. Continual Improvement
OHSAS 18001 emphasizes the importance of continual improvement. The organization should use feedback from audits, inspections, risk assessments, and performance reviews to improve the health and safety management system. This commitment to continuous improvement helps ensure that the organization adapts to changes, reduces risks, and strengthens its safety culture over time.
Conclusion
The main requirements of OHSAS 18001 focus on creating a comprehensive framework for managing occupational health and safety risks. Organizations must develop a clear health and safety policy, conduct thorough risk assessments, implement effective processes for safety management, and continuously monitor and improve their performance. OHSAS 18001 Consultant cost in UK By following these requirements, organizations can create a safer work environment, reduce risks, and ensure legal compliance while fostering a culture of continuous improvement in health and safety practices.