OH&S MS

Organisations may well opt not to use the risk assessment procedure in cases where existing controls comply with well-established legal standards or procedures. But the adequacy and relevance of such standards should be examined.

The delicacy is that the findings of a well-conducted risk assessment may challenge the adequacy of well-established standards. Standards are usually designed to be applicable in a wide range of situations, but they may be found unsuitable in some specific contexts. Existing standards may well be found to be either inadequate or over-zealous in these contexts.

The process described is based on the simple model used in BS 8800.
Classification of work activities should involve two stages of categorisation. The first involves classifying all organisational work activities in a manageable way, for example, geographical location, stages in the production process, defined tasks. Care should be taken to include all activities, whether infrequent or day-to day.
Once assessors are sure that all tasks have been listed, information should be gathered about the exact nature of each activity: what, where, how, by whom and so on. Without this knowledge, it is easy to focus on the obvious physical hazards, without the refinement provided by a detailed understanding of the work process in which they exist.
The risk assessment process relies upon thorough and accurate information provided by this initial classification exercise.

4.3.2 Legal and other requirements, examples Besides the Health and Safety at Work Act itself, the following Apply across the full range of workplaces:
1 Managementof Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999:
Require employers to carry out risk assessments, make arrangements to implement necessary measures, appoint competent people and arrange for appropriate Information and training.
2 Workplace (Health, Safety and Welfare) Regulations 1992:
Cover a wide range of basic health, safety and welfare issues such as ventilation, heating, lighting, workstations, seating and welfare facilities.
3 Health and Safety (Display Screen Equipment) Regulations 1992: set out requirements for work with Visual Display Units (VDUs).
4 Personal Protective Equipment at Work Regulations 1992:
Require employers to provide appropriate protective clothing and equipment for their employees.
5 Provisions and Use of Work Equipment Regulations 1998:
Require that equipment provided for use at work, including machinery, is safe.
6 Manual Handling Operations Regulations 1992: cover the moving of objects by hand or bodily force.
7 Health and Safety (First Aid) Regulations 1981: cover requirements for first aid.
8 The Health and Safety Information for Employees Regulations 1989: require employers to display a poster telling employees what they need to know about health and safety.
9 Employers' Liability (Compulsory Insurance) Act 1969:
Require employers to take out insurance against accidents and ill health to their employees.

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OH&S MS Auditor/Lead Auditor - Delegate Workbook

10 Reporting of Injuries, Diseases and Dangerous Occurrences Regulations 1995 (RIDDOR): require employers to notify certain occupational injuries, diseases and dangerous events.
11 Noise at Work Regulations 1989: require employers to take action to protect employees from hearing damage. .
12 Electricity at Work Regulations 1989: require people in control of electrical systems to ensure they are safe to use and maintained in a safe condition.
13 Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations 2002 (COSHH): require employers to assess the risks from hazardous substances and take appropriate precautions.
In addition, specific regulations cover particular areas, for example asbestos and lead, and:
14 Chemicals (Hazard Information and Packaging for Supply) Regulations 2002:
require suppliers to classify, label and package dangerous chemicals and provide safety data sheets for them.
15 Construction (Design and Management) Regulations 1994: cover safe systems of work on construction sites.
16 Gas Safety (Installation and Use) Regulations 1994: cover safe installation, maintenance and use of gas systems and Appliances in domestic and commercial premises.
17 Control of Major Accident Hazards Regulations 1999: require those who manufacture, store or transport dangerous chemicals or explosives in certain quantities to notify the Relevant authority.
18 Dangerous Substances and Explosive Atmospheres Regulation 2002: require employers and the self-employed to carry out a risk assessment of work activities involving Dangerous substances.

4.3.3 Objectives and programmes Top management shall set OHSAS objectives at relevant levels/functions. These objectives shall be measurable and be in line with the organisation's OHSAS policy.
It shall also show commitment to continual improvement. Once the OHSAS objectives have been set Top management should plan how to achieve these objectives. Top management will need to refer to their initial OHSAS requirements and objectives. All changes are planned and implemented to ensure integrity and improvement is maintained during this change

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Auditing techniques (some ideas) Have measurable objectives been set for each relevant function/level and consistent with the OHSAS policy? ._ -------

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