HEALTH & SAFETY
ADDRESSING WORKPLACE SAFETY RISKS
I
SO 45001- Occupational health and safety management systems - is the first international standard to provide a comprehensive framework for management
systems addressing occupational health and safety (OH&S) issues. The standard sets out the requirements for an OH&S management system and includes an implementation guide. This enables organisations to proactively improve OH&S performance, as well as provide a safe and healthy working environment that prevents work-related injury and ill health. By providing a comprehensive management system targeted at mitigating negative effects of the physical, mental and cognitive condition of employees, contracted employees, leased personnel and visitors, ISO 45001 also assists an organisation in fulfilling its legal requirements. ISO 45001 places a proactive and preventative emphasis on risk control factors
by identifying and assessing the likelihood of hazards in the workplace. It can be implemented by any size of organisation in any industry, and can be integrated into other health and safety programmes. ISO 45001 certification formalises and documents a comprehensive and effectively implemented system to prove that an organisation has taken appropriate measures to mitigate hazardous situations. ISO 45001 uses the ‘high level structure’ (HLS), so that it has a common framework with other management systems, such as ISO 9001 and ISO 1400, and can be integrated with other management systems, already in operation. This makes it easier for organisations to pool their certifications within an integrated management system, delivering significant cost savings as it improves application, simplifies implementation, and eliminates duplication. ISO 45001 requirements are described in sections 4-10.
Clause 4: Context of the organisation ISO 45001 requires the organisation to identify the external and internal issues that will impact the intended outcomes of the OH&S management system. At this stage, the scope of the OH&S management system must be agreed so that its boundaries are clear in terms of how far the system will apply, for example, if it is part of a larger parent organisation.
Clause 5: Leadership and worker participation This relates to the involvement of top management and how they must demonstrate leadership and commitment to the organisation’s OH&S management system. The consultation and participation of workers is also required.
Clause 6: Planning The first part of Clause 6 covers action that should be taken to identify and address hazards, risks, and opportunities. The second part looks more specifically at how planning should be implemented to accomplish OH&S objectives.
Clause 7: Support The OH&S plan must be actioned by a competent person who is supported by the appropriate level of resource. There is also a requirement to retain evidence of workers’ competence in terms of how it could impact OH&S performance, while ensuring appropriate education and training, as well as awareness raising
about OH&S issues. A communication process must make workers aware of the OH&S policy and the hazards, alongside risks that relate to them. It must also have a process for communicating information relevant to the OH&S management system, both internally and externally.
Clause 8: Operation This covers how plans and processes, outlined in the other clauses, should be executed. This includes processes that eliminate hazards and reduce OH&S risks using the standard’s “hierarchy of controls”. The clause also includes managing change, procurement processes, and preparedness for responding to emergency situations.
Clause 9: Performance evaluation To give an indication of how the OH&S management system is performing, organisations must ascertain what must be measured and monitored, by whom and with what frequency. Documented evidence must be retained, and top management is responsible for reviewing the organisation’s OH&S management system.
Clause 10: Improvement The organisation must identify opportunities for improvement. ISO 45001 also contains detailed corrective action requirements.
Senior support The success of an OH&S management system largely relies on the commitment of the organisation’s top management. Once an organisation has that, it is ready to start the ISO 45001 implementation process. Before a certification audit can take place, the organisation must have implemented and documented the effectiveness of the management system and compliance with the standard requirements. When the management system has matured sufficiently and its effect can be thoroughly proven, the certification process can be initiated. Organisations worldwide are recognising the commercial and strategic benefits of using ISO 45001 to control and improve health and safety performance, as it delivers a globally recognised structure to practice responsible risk control, as well as continually improve OH&S performance that protects the workforce. With organisations under increasing scrutiny from stakeholders, ISO 45001 helps to demonstrate an organisation’s strategic commitment to continuous improvement of OH&S, helping to increase staff morale, reduce direct and indirect costs, and strengthen market reputation. It is a strong signal to both an organisation’s internal and external stakeholders that it is committed to safe business operations.
TÜV SÜD
www.tuvsud.com/uk
TÜV SÜD is one of the world’s leading experts in product testing and certification, with 150,000 product certificates in circulation globally. Its Product Service division analyses over 20,000 products each year in Europe, Asia-Pacific and the Americas, using its technical expertise to help customers optimise market access.
24 FEBRUARY 2022 | FACTORY&HANDLINGSOLUTIONS
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