Occupational Health and Safety Management System

Introduction

Significance of Occupational Health and Safety (OHSAS) They represent a different approach as follows :-
  • These focus on management rather than on goals.
  • These promote audits of management, not of attainment.
  • These establish principles and uniform approaches for   evaluation of Activities, Product & Services and   communication of Safety & Health attributes & managing the same.
Impact of Occupational Health and Safety (OHSAS)
  • Implementation of OHSAS used as a declaration of   commitment to Ensuring safety and health of employees, visitors & property.
  • Implementation of OHSAS used as a way to Manage and Maintain regulatory compliance.
  • Societal pressure to adopt OHSAS 18001 standards will increase.
  • Will effect how industry manages, measures, improves and communicates information on Safety and health hazards of   its products and operations.
  • Will become a condition of doing business in many markets and regions.
  • Will effect how plants are managed and how decisions are made relating to products and processes.
  • Some governments are expected to require ohsas 18001 certification from suppliers of specific goods and services.
  • There will be both benefits and costs for organizations that adopt these standards.

Benefits of OH&S Implementation

  • World wide focus achieved.
  • Promotes voluntary consensus approach which is inherently flexible and responsive to market forces.
  • Commercial benefit due to harmonization of national rules, labels and methods.
  • Minimizing trade barriers, by removing complications and ensuring consistency.
  • Avoidance of multiple inspections, certifications and labels
  • Will enhance Safety and Health  performance.
  • Improves risk information and understanding.
  • Will act as a means to maintain regulatory compliance.
  • Provides framework to move beyond compliance.
  • Competitive advantage.
  • Demonstrates commitment to OH&S Management.
  • Helps in implementing Safety and Health  excellence.

OH&S Policy

Top management shall define and authorize the organization’s OH&S policy and ensure that within the defined scope of its OH&S management system it:

  • Is appropriate to the nature and scale of the organization’s OH&S risks.
  • includes a commitment to prevention   of injury and ill health and continual improvement in OH&S management   and OH&S performance.
  • includes a commitment to at least comply with applicable legal requirements and with other requirements to which the organization subscribes that relate to its OH&S hazards.
  • provides the framework for setting and reviewing OH&S objectives.
  • is documented, implemented and maintained.
  • is communicated to all persons working under the control of the organization with the intent that they are made aware of their individual OH&S obligations.
  • is available to interested parties.
  • is reviewed periodically to ensure that remains relevant and appropriate to the organization.
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