OHSAS 18001:2007 Occupational health and safety management systems is globally recognised. This standard is the most robust occupational health and safety management system that is effective and available to companies. It is generally accepted to all intents and purposes. OHSAS 18001 standard is beneficial to an organisation of 5 or 500 staff strength.
OHSAS 18001 was initially prepared as an ISO standard but it has not yet had an official recognition as an international standard. Notwithstanding, OHSAS standard is globally accepted as the health and safety equivalent as what ISO 9001 is to quality and ISO 14001 is to the environment. This standard specifically addresses risks associated in the workplace. Implementation of OHSAS 18001:2007 provides a platform to identify, control and decrease the health and safety risk in the environment and workplace. Implementation of this standard will give your interested parties, stakeholders, clients, external providers and competitors the view that your organisation regards the health and safety of the staff in the organisation.
OHSAS 18001:2007 is beneficial because it adopts international practice that aligns with risk management. Increased productivity through reduced lost time injury, there will be increased profits and reduction in the number of absenteeism and reduction in incidences and work-related injuries. Incident investigation process is monitored. Implementation of OHSAS 18001 will increase opportunities in specific markets. OHSAS standard improves the efficiency of operations by reduced accidents, downtime and danger. The standard helps the organisation to improve management oversight, an effective management system incorporating constant monitoring and measurement of KPI’s in health/safety.
Occupational health and safety is based on hazard identification, risk assessment and determination of applicable controls. Freshfountain consulting limited will ensure hazard identification, risk assessment and finding applicable control is taken extremely seriously. The three aspects above is the basis for implementation of OHSAS 18001, the system will not be realistic if these three aspects are not given great significance. OHSAS 18001 Occupational health and safety standard applies a process approach tool known as PDCA cycle. PDCA is a process that helps an organisation to establish, implement and maintain the health and safety standard, with the help of top management and the commitment of the safety department/unit system. PDCA stands for PLAN-DO-CHECK-ACT.
For an effective implementation, the planning phase will involve defining the scope of OHSAS 18001, series of training to create adequate awareness on OH&S culture in the organisation and creation of the organisation’s policies and objectives. Next stage in the process is the gap assessment which is conducted on site of your current process. This process highlights the gap that is between the current system and the standard to be implemented and specific areas that requires improvement. Implementation (documentation) and operation process is practical in OHSAS 18001 which will put in place proactive measures and practical measurement of performance of the risk assessments, OH&S performance reports, workplace exposure levels and controls and health surveillance reports. OHSAS 18001 is a hand on, practical, visible standard that requires dedication, commitment and consistency of the organisation. The organisation will conduct Internal audits on-site, this involves inspection of all documentation and a review in the appropriate regulatory and legal requirements, inspection of management and policies and objectives and on-site specific activities.
