Occupational Health & Safety Management System - ISO 45001
What is an Occupational Health and Safety Management System?
A management system for Occupational Health and Safety (OHASMS) offers a framework for managing the responsibilities of occupational health and safety. The framework is created to let companies become more efficient and operate in a more integrated and secure manner. The OHASMS defines a process of achieving consistent and improved occupational health and safety performance and compliance with legislation.
What is ISO 45001?
The ‘ISO 45001 requirements for Occupational Health and Safety Management’ is an internationally-accepted requirements standard for OHASMS. This was created to meet the need of organisations to fulfil the health and safety responsibilities effectively and to eliminate any confusion caused by the escalation of certifiable OHASMS requirements. One important characteristic of ISO 45001 is that it is compatible with both ISO 9001 quality standards and ISO 14001 environmental management system standards. It enables the integration of quality, environmental and occupational health and safety management systems, if organisations wish to do so.
However, the ISO 45001 standard does not specify the OHASMS performance criteria or give details for the design of the management system. It is not a legislative requirement either.
Need for ISO 45001
Organisations can apply ISO 45001 standards for the following,
- To establish an OHASMS management system to reduce or eliminate the risk to employees and others exposed to risk associated with OHASMS activities
- For implementing, maintaining and continually improving an OHASMS management system
- To get a competitive advantage
- Ensure compliance with OHS policy and demonstrate the compliance to stakeholders, suppliers, and third parties
- Receive certification or registration of the OHS management system through an external body
Features of ISO 45001
The below points are key aspects that must be addressed to use ISO 45001.
- Plans for hazard identification, risk assessment and control
- Measures and monitors achievement of performance objectives through OHASMS management program
- Establish proper structure and responsibility for personnel who perform activities that cause OHASMS risks
- Providing training, competence and awareness to personnel to do tasks that may have an effect on OHASMS in workplace
- Ensure that OHAMS information is communicated properly to employees and others effectively
- Ensure necessary measures to control identified risks
- Procedures to identify the potential for emergency situations and subsequent response times
- Monitors and measures OHASMS performance on a regular basis
Implementation of Occupational Health and Safety Management System
Purchase a copy of the standard
Before developing an OHASMS, get a copy of the standard. Read and familiarise with the concepts.
Review supporting documents
A wide range of quality supporting documents are available on the Internet for better understanding and implementation.
Build a core team and safety committee
Start the implementation process by building the organisational strategy with top management. Since the responsibility for an OHASMS management system lies with top management, it is crucial to involve them from the beginning. Build a core team of process owners with the support from top management.
Take training
There are plenty of workshops, seminars and training courses whether you are a quality manager or process owner trying to implement an OHAMS management system or a senior manager seeking to increase your general awareness of ISO 45001, hazard-risk assessment etc.
Consider consultancy options
Get advice from independent third-party consultants like UQS on how best to implement your quality management system. They will take care to ensure that you avoid any costly mistakes owing to their experience in implementing an OHASMS management system.
Create an OHASMS
Establish, implement, maintain and improve the OHASMS continually in line with ISO 45001. The processes you create need to adhere to the Plan-Do-Check-Act + Risk Based Thinking methodologies, hazard identification, risk assessment and controls.
Make supporting documentation
An OHASMS documentation outlines why you do the business, how you apply the standards and how you operate your business in a systematic manner. It will include all the processes and procedures. Basically, it tells how you complete a task by describing who does what, in what order and to what standards.
Implement your OHASMS
Communication and training are cornerstones of proper implementation. During the implementation phase, everyone operates according to established procedures and collects data that demonstrates you are doing what you promised you will be doing.
Perform Internal Audit and Management Review
At regular intervals, conduct an internal audit and a management review to check whether the OHASMS is working according to the requirements. It should be effective and sufficient for your organisation’s operations.
Get certification
Arrange an initial assessment with the certification body. The certification body will review your OHASMS and evaluate whether you are eligible for certification. If eligible, you will get a certification.
Continuous assessment
After receiving the certificate, you can advertise and promote your business. You can maintain your certification by continuing to use your quality system. The certification body will periodically check this to ensure the OHASMS continues to meet the standards.
OHASMS Certification
Certification to ISO 45001 happens when an accredited third party visits an organisation, assesses the OHASMS and issues a certificate to show that the organisation abides by the principles set out in ISO 45001.
The OHASMS certificate is a sign of credibility which saves you from having to prove your quality standards to your customers. ISO 45001 provides a global validation. Once you are certified, it is valid for 3 years and is subject to the annual surveillance audit.
Why do I need certification?
Getting a certification to ISO 45001 through any of the different certification bodies will empower your organisation to flourish. Whether you are expanding locally to bring new business or seeking ways to operate internationally, ISO 45001 will let you demonstrate to potential customers that you commit to quality standards.
The frequent assessments will ensure the continual use, monitoring and improvement of your processes. The certification can improve the overall performance, eliminate uncertainty and increase market opportunities.
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