OHSAS is abbreviated as Occupational Health and Safety Assessment Series for health and safety management systems. The standard was created out of several publications and reports that stipulated the amount and the extend of measures that needed to take so as to provide safety and prevent the risk of hazards from occurring. It provides the framework for building an Occupational Health and Safety Management System by assisting in the creation of policies, procedures and controls needed for the creation of a hazard free working environment.
Basics of OHSAS 18001
OHSAS 18001, Occupational Health and Safety Management Systems is a British Standard for occupational health and safety management systems that is recognized and implemented worldwide. The most recent version of this standard was published in 2007, and is referred to as OHSAS 18001:2007.”
Benefits of OHSAS 18001
- It will create the best working environment for the company and their employees
- It will locate all possible scenarios for hazards and will implement controls so that they could be managed.
- Significantly reduce workplace accidents and illness that will consequently cut costs and downtime.
- It will engage all the members of the organisation to do better due to better and safer working conditions
- It will show that you had gone all out for ensuring regulatory compliance to your customers and suppliers.
- Reduce all potential liability and insurance costs.
What are the practical steps to becoming OHSAS 18001 certified?
- The Occupational, Health and Safety (OHS) manual guages the scope of the OHSAS.
- Occupational, Health and Safety Policy needs to be established with objectives and programmes.
- Procedures to identify hazards, assess risks and determine the controls and creating a blue print.
- Clearly Defined Resources, Roles, Responsibilities, Accountability and Authority complying with the OHSAS.
