What is OHSAS 18001: 1999?

OHSAS - "Occupational Health and Safety Assessment Series". OHSAS 18001:1999 is the Occupational Health and Safety Assessment Series that requires an Occupational Health and Safety (OH&S) management system, to enable the organization to improve its performance by controlling its OH&S risks in an efficient manner.

BSI Management Systems offers registration to the internationally recognized assessment specification OHSAS 18001 (which was based on the original British Standard - BS 8800). 

For example, the construction industry faces numerous amounts of accidents despite the strict requirements that are imposed on them. Thus, implementation of OHSAS 18001 can enable a company manage health and safety effectively. Hence, these in turn reduces risks and give competitive advantages to the company and helping companies comply with legal requirements and improve overall performance.

OHS Management Systems

  OHS Management Systems are based on standards, which specify a process of

· Achieving continuously improved OHS performance
· Complying with legislation

   OHS Management Systems will provide a framework to

· Identify hazards and assess risks in your work environment.
· Develop methods to eliminate hazards and risks. < · Implement measures to
   evaluate further improvement.

Features of OHSAS 18001

· Planning for hazard identification, risk assessment and risk control - identifying hazards, assessing risk and implementing the necessary risk control measures.
· OH & S management programme(s) - Measuring and helping the organization achieve its performance objectives.
· Structure and Responsibility - Establishing clear roles, responsibilities and authorities for personnel who manage, perform and verify activities having an effect on the OH&S risks of the organization’s activities, facilities and processes.
· Training awareness and competence - Ensuring that personnel are competent to perform tasks that may impact on OH&S in the workplace.
· Consultation and communication - Ensuring that OH&S information is communicated to and from employees and other interested parties effectively.
· Operation Control - Ensuring the necessary measures and specified conditions are in place to control identified risks.
· Emergency Response and Preparedness - having plans and procedures in place to identify the potential for, and subsequent response times to, emergency situations.
· Performance measuring and monitoring - Monitoring and measuring OH&S performance on a regular basis.

Benefits of being OHSAS 18001 certified

Providing a procedural guideline to reduce incident/accident through prevention and  control of workplace hazards. And therefore:

· Reduces the downtime and associated costs relating to the OH&S risks in a workplace or organization.
· Ensures a well qualified and enthusiastic workforce by fulfilling the increasing expectations of your employees.
· Reduces insurance costs as well as costs incurred by absenteeism.
· Ensures that appropriate legislation is addressed and acted upon.
· Meets the increasing demand for occupational health and safety credentials as a marketing tool and public image.
· Reduces the material loss caused by accidents and production interruptions.
· A certified occupational health and safety management system demonstrates a commitment to the health and safety of your employees.