how to implement OHSAS

Health & Safety OHSAS 18001

Implementing an OHSMS

There are key steps that every organization implementing an Occupational Health and Safety Management System will need to consider:

Purchase the Specification
Before you can begin preparing for your application, you will require a copy of the specification. 

Review support literature
There are a wide range of publications designed to help you understand and implement an Occupational Health & Safety Management System. 

Consider Training
There are a range of workshops, seminars and training courses available to help you implement and assess your Occupational Health & Safety Management System. 

Review Consultancy Options 
You can receive advice from independent consultants on how best to implement your Occupational Health & Safety management system. They may have the experience in implementation that can help you avoid costly mistakes. 

Design the OHSAS 18001 Management System
The OHSAS 18001 Specification follows the Plan-Do-Check-Review cycle, with a concurrent emphasis on continual improvement. This model fits in neatly with the structure of other management system documents such as ISO 14001. This alignment of the management system documents helps in the facilitation of Integrated Management Systems. 

The following steps help form the basic structure of the management system and link into the structure of OHSAS 18001.

Plan
During the planning stage you should:

1. Ensure you have the commitment of top management.
2. Define, with the authorization of top management, the company's occupational health and safety policy.
3. Planning must be completed to establish a framework for identifying hazards, the assessment of risks and the implementation of necessary control measures.
4. Legal obligations must be identified and understood, objectives set and a management programme for achieving them implemented. This entire process should be documented.

Implement your Health and Safety Management System
At this point you should:

1. Establish roles and responsibilities.
2. Develop procedures for the consultation and communication of OHS information to employees and other interested parties.
3. Document your processes and develop a system of document and data control.
4. Apply a system of operational control.
5. Establish plans and procedures for emergencies.

Check your management system and take any necessary corrective action
You should aim to continually improve your management system by:

1. Introducing performance, measuring and monitoring practices.
2. Establishing and documenting responsibility and authority for accidents, incidents, non-conformities and corrective & preventative action.
3. Establishing a procedure for records and records management.
4. Auditing and assessing the performance of the management system.
5. Performing management reviews of the system at identified and defined intervals.

Gain registration
Registration is a phased approach adding value and facilitating the development of the system. During registration your OHSAS 18001 management system will be reviewed. 


Continual assessment 
Once you have received registration and been awarded your certificate, you can begin to advertise your success and promote your business. Your registrar will periodically check this to ensure that your system continues to meet the requirements of the Specification.

At BSI Management Systems we have a structured route to registering your Occupational Health & Safety Management System. The BSI route to registration is designed to make your experience easy and reassuring, with minimal disruption to your own core activity.

BSI Management Systems, 389 Chiswick High Road, London, W4 4AL. Email: international@bsigroup.com
© 2007 BSI. Legal Notice.

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