What is OHSAS 18001 standard?
OHSAS 18001 was developed to help organisations meet their health and safety obligations in a competent and successful behaviour through controlling the potential hazards within an organisation. Despite not being an ISO standard, OHSAS 18001 has been developed to be mutually compatible with the ISO 9001 (Quality Management System) and ISO 14001 (Environmental Management System) standards, thus facilitating the achieving of a 3-in-1 integrated management system strategy for organisations.
Principles of OHSAS 18001 standard
The OHSAS 18001 standard is based on the Plan-Do-Check-Act methodology, with an emphasis on continual improvement. The following steps form the basic structure of the management system and link into the structure of OHSAS 18001.
- Plan: Identify and establish the objectives and processes necessary to deliver results in accordance with the organisation’s OH&S policy.
- Do: Implement the processes for the Health and Safety Management System.
- Check: Monitor and measure processes of the management system against OH&S policy, objectives, legal and other requirements, and report the results or take any necessary corrective action.
- Act: Evaluate and take actions to continually improve the effectiveness and applicability of OH&S performance.
Benefits of OHSAS 18001 standard
- Gain competitive advantages in the global market
- Enhance health and safety working environment
- Enhance company image and brand reputation
- Continual improvement of organisational performance
- Encourage organisations to improve working environment with ensured health and safety for employees
- Demonstrate your commitment to health and safety towards company’s stakeholders
- Ensure compliance with the legal and regulatory requirements
- Better management of health and safety risk and potentially reduced public liability
