Managing occupational health and safety with OHSAS 18001
About OHSAS 18001:2007
Released in July 2007, OHSAS 18001:2007 is an updated edition of OHSAS 18001:1999.
For those familiar with the earlier version, the changes place greater emphasis on health rather than focusing primarily on safety. OHSAS 18001:2007 is also more closely aligned with the international environmental management system standard,
ISO 14001:2004.
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Anticipating risk
In the past, occupational health and safety management tended to focus on the question of how to react to work-related incidents. In contrast, OHSAS 18001 sets out a preventative and proactive approach which involves identifying workplace hazards and assessing and controlling risk.
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Key elements
Some of the essential elements of the Standard include:
- Developing OH&S policy
- Planning
- Implementing policy and plans
- Checking for problems and taking corrective action
- Reviewing management processes
- Sustaining continual improvement.
Growing pressures on employers
Employers today confront bigger challenges than ever before, not least in the field of occupational health and safety where they face:
- More rigorous health and safety regulations
- Greater penalties for negligence
- Rising compensation costs
- Costly medical claims
- Increasing rates of illness and injury
- Pressure to retain workers and ensure employee satisfaction.
The benefits of OHSAS 18001
Organizations certified to the Standard report a range of benefits, including:
- A reduction in lost working days
- Fewer workplace accidents
- Fewer medical claims
- Recognition by insurers and regulators
- A more disciplined approach to safety
- Improved employee motivation, retention and satisfaction
- Reduced legal costs
- Less time and money spent on accident-related investigation and paperwork.
Workforce awareness
Employers who have adopted OHSAS 18001 report that it promotes greater employee awareness and understanding of health and safety at work.
Organizations which have attained registration through NSAI maintain that it leads to improved internal and external communications and a more disciplined attitude among employees to health and safety matters.
Relevant to all employers
The requirements specified in OHSAS 18001 are intended for incorporation into any OH&S management system. The Standard is relevant to all employers, whatever the size or nature of the business.
The Standard is complemented by OHSAS 18002:2000, the Occupational Health and Safety Management Systems Guidelines for the implementation of OHSAS 18001.
OHSAS 18001 registration
NSAI can help you register your OH&S management system to OHSAS 18001. We have a reputation for quality customer services and clear, open communication with our clients.
We allow for a flexible registration process tailored to individual requirements and schedules. We will rapidly assign you a lead auditor to help you identify clearly the individual needs of your organization.
Some organizations may choose to register their OH&S management system only to OHSAS 18001 as a stand-alone specification. Others may see advantages in integrating the Standard with other management standards such as ISO 14001, which provides a powerful framework around which OHSAS 18001 can be built.
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Find out more
To get more information on certification to OHSAS 18001 with NSAI please fill in our
online enquiry form.
Download a copy of the
NSAI OHSAS 18001:2007 detailed guide