Occupational Health & Safety Management Systems - OHSAS 18001

Overview

OHSAS 18001 is the internationally recognised assessment specification for the management of health and safety within your business. It is a framework that focuses on effectively managing risks to reduce accidents, aid compliance with legislation and improve performance.

By implementing a health and safety management system, your business demonstrates a clear commitment to improving health and safety in your company.

OHSAS 18001 follows the “Plan, Do, Check, Act” methodology; which is the theme used across management standards. The broad sections of the specification are:

  • OH&S Policy

  • Hazard identification, risk assessment and determining controls

  • Objectives and management programme

  • Resources, roles, responsibility, accountability and authority

  • Competence, training and awareness

  • Communication, participation and consultation

  • Operational control

  • Emergency preparedness and response

  • Performance measurement and monitoring

  • Evaluation of compliance

  • Management review

Benefits

The implementation of an effective occupational health & safety management system (OHSMS) can realise a number of benefits including:

  • Potential reduced overhead costs by a reduction in the number of accidents and lost time

  • Providing a robust risk management tool consistently applied across your organisation

  • Demonstration and a greater understanding of legal and regulatory compliance

  • Access to new customers and business partners; a positive approach to H&S management will assist in developing your business

  • Potential for reduced public liability insurance costs

OHSAS 18001 can be applied by any organisation wishing to implement a formal management system for health and safety in their working environment. This can be developed into a separate or Integrated Management System (IMS). For further information please contact us