OHSAS 18001

OHSAS 18001 is an Occupation Health and Safety Assessment Series certification for health and safety management systems. OHSAS 18001 enables an organization to control occupational health and safety risks and to improve performance.

It was developed in response to urgent customer demand for a recognizable occupational health and safety management system standard, and was created via a concerted effort from a number of the world’s leading national standards bodies, certification bodies, and specialist consultancies.

OHSAS uses the prevention concept, i.e. prevention instead of cure. This is integrated in the work protection law. It states the work safety and health protection should be treated in one complete system.

The elements for a successful work protection management system are the same as those found in other management systems. They are the basis for the continuous improvement process, which is based on both client satisfaction and employee orientation. The elements of OHSAS 18001 include:

1. Policy and commitment
2. Hazard identification, risk assessment and risk controls
3. Legal requirements
4. Objectives and Programmes
5. Organisation and personnel
6. Training, Communication and Consultation
7. Documentation and records
8. Operational Controls
9. Emergency Readiness
10. Measurement and monitoring
11. Accident and incident investigation, corrective and preventive action
    Audit and Review

Who should go in for OHSAS?

OHSAS 18001 can be used by organization of all sizes regardless of the nature of their activities or location. Organizations can now achieve third party certification for their Occupational Health and Safety management system.

The OHSAS specification can be applied to any organisation that wishes to:

1. Eliminate or minimise risk to employees and other parties who may be exposed to OH&S risks associated with its activities
2. Assure itself of its conformance with stated OH&S policy
3. Demonstrate such conformance to others
4. Implement, maintain and continually improve an OH&S management system
5. Make a self-determination and declaration of conformance with this OHSAS specification
6. Seek certification/registration of its OH&S management system by an external organisation

Benefits - How can OHSAS Help?

1. Cost reduction through improvement in work safety
2. Reduction in number of accidents and absenteeism
3. Increase in employee motivation through clear structures and responsibility allocation
4. Increased flexibility and smoother transition to changes within the organization through more transparent processes
5. Legal security