OHSAS
18001
Companies can expect considerable benefits from developing a health and safety
management system certified to OHSAS 18001. The presence of formal management
systems, incorporating a structured approach to hazard identification and risk
management, can contribute to the avoidance of a high proportion of accidents
and occupational health problems. The development of such a system, can make
the management of health and safety more transparent and effective by translating
OHSAS 18001 Certification
What is OHSAS 18001?
OHSAS 18001 is a consensus standard developed in 1999 by an independent group
of national standards bodies and certification bodies (registrars). OHSAS
stands for Occupational Health and Safety Assessment Series.
OHSAS 18001 is structured the same way as ISO 14001, the environmental management
system standard, and has essentially the same elements. It was specifically
developed to be compatible with ISO 9001, the quality management system standard,
and ISO 14001 to allow companies to develop and register integrated quality,
environmental and occupational safety and health management systems.
Benefits of OHSAS Certification
Like registration to ISO 9001 and ISO 14001, registration to OHSAS 18001
can offer companies a number of benefits. Organizations that have implemented
a system to improve the management of health and safety practices have reported
reduced improved employee safety awareness, fewer accidents and reduced costs.
In addition, OHSAS 18001 provides a structure companies can use to integrate
quality, environmental and safety and health program management for increased
management efficiencies. Many companies find they need to address health
and safety elements as they implement ISO 14001 management systems because
of the strong interconnection between environmental and safety and health
programs in areas such as emergency planning and risk assessment.
Elements of the OHSAS
18001 Standard
The elements of OHSAS 18001 are similar to the elements of ISO 14001 and
include:
