BS OHSAS 18001 — Occupational Health & Safety Management Systems. What is BS OHSAS 18001?
Years ago, fatalities and other accidents at work were viewed as part of everyday life. However, as a society, we are no longer prepared to accept that incidents in the work place are unavoidable and employers are expected to view the health and safety of their employees and other people affected by their businesses as paramount.
The UK Health & safety at Work Act 1974 defined an employer's responsibilities to staff and other relevant parties but this did not tell organisations how to comply with their obligations and deal with health and safety issues in a practical sense.
In the 1990s, OHSAS 18001 was developed as a specification (rather than a standard) by an international group, including UK Standards organisations, to address issues relating to health and safety management.
The specification was first published as recently as 1999, followed by a set of guidelines to ensure that it would be consistently interpreted and applied. The specification stressed the importance of carrying out risk assessments.
IN 2007, the 1999 specification has just been revised and published as a standard known as BS OHSAS 18001:2007 and will replace the previous version over a two year period. Under the new standard, there will be greater alignment with ISO 9000 and ISO 14001, with particular emphasis being placed on matters affecting health and incorporating new requirements relating to the investigation of incidents.
If an organisation experiences a serious health and safety incident, the consequences can be severe and have far reaching implications. 2008 will see the introduction of new legislation, redefining and strengthening the law relating to corporate manslaughter. It is in the interests of every organisation to take the steps that are available to reduce risk and to be able to demonstrate that they have assessed the risks associated with their business and have adopted a recognised system with the aim of protecting the health and safety of staff and others.
How Can Touchstone Renard Help My Organisation Achieve BS OHSAS 18001 Certification?
Touchstone Renard has years of experience of helping organisation manage risk. To start with, in discussion with you, we would learn all about your organisation before recommending the best way forward, depending on your needs and current situation.
We would of course let you have definite details of the costs and time commitment involved.
Touchstone Renard can offer training if you wish and prepare the documentation that you will require.
If you have already achieved OHSAS 18001 or introduced a health and safety management system, we can help you to maintain it by offering a programme of reviews. We can also help organisations with the transition to the new 2007 standard and provide ad hoc help and assist with immediate problems that might arise.
If you would like to have a discussion about achieving the standard or any other health and safety management issue, please contact Phil Austin:
- This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or via
- our website at www.TouchstoneRenard.com, or
- telephone +44 (0)20 7866 8123.