Occupational health and safety management: Get proactive than reactive before it’s too late!
OHSAS 18001 now replaced:
OHSAS 18001 standard concerning the occupational health and safety management standard was introduced in 2007. Since then it has been serving the accredited firms with guidance to control risks or hazards relevant to health and safety within the working place. Indeed such firms were distinguished as safe concerns with high emphasis for its stakeholders’ well-being.
Despite being a sophisticated measures of its time, the recent estimates of the International Labour Organization (ILO) on increased injuries and deaths in work places, the limitations of OHSAS 18001 standard have overweighed its benefits.
With amalgamation of nearly 70 countries, new standards are developed under ISO 45001. This standard is developed mainly to fill the gaps which its predecessor OHSAS 18001 left. And the sole aim of the new standard is to help firms make a lift towards better safety practices.
What makes ISO 45001 better than OHSAS 18001?
To many of your dilemmas, ISO 45001 is the extension of existing standard OHSAS 18001. This means the latter will stand withdrawn once the former is implemented in place. Despite being largely influenced by OHSAS 18001, ISO 45001 has a meagre difference in its approach and terminology. Precisely, OHSAS 18001 made a reactive approach, where in practices were implemented post hazards, however ISO 45001 is proactive. It is preventive where guidance to putting safety in place is initiated once a risk is sensed. Yet another shift is in the way a systems’ safety performances are indicated and measured.
ISO 45001 Approach:
Compatibility: IS 45001 is compatible and it can be manifested with other ISO standards such as the ISO 9001 and ISO 14001. The value for stakeholders of the firm is prioritised as the standard can be integrated into the management system. Managing the standard such as its implementation is hence more streamlined than ever before.
Strategically Positioned: OHSAS 18001 was oriented to designated personnel such as the inspection or the safety people. But ISO 45001 has delegated the responsibility to the management itself. The new standard is integrated into the overall management system vesting the safety responsibility in the hands of managers and leaders. With ISO 45001, apart from instructions and decisions, now safety responsibility also comes from top to bottom.
Safe and Sound work culture: Management is engaged to take responsibility through the ISO 45001 hook. Along with performances and meeting targets, now leaders are pulled into the safety responsibility of their people as well. Furthermore, OHSAS 18001 is more oriented on physical well-being of the employees but the newer version has clauses for mental well-being as well.
Awareness: While ISO 45001 put safety authority on top management, it also seek active participation from the workers. So they are made aware of their roles and responsibilities. The standard involves comprehensive training and knowledge for the employees to implement a safe work platform across all levels and by all people. The special clause requires internal safety audits and risk assessments to be shared openly with all. Apart from the internal stakeholders, the new standard require companies to consider the risk management strategies of their external stakeholders like suppliers and contractors as well.
Similar yet different: Besides the above, ISO 45001 bear similarity with OHSAS 18001 such that the overall intent which aims at focusing on overall safety management practices. The policies, legal concerns, competencies and resources of the standard still seek same support from the system as the previous version did. Yet with ISO 45001, firms can take safety an extra mile ahead as safety now becomes responsibility of all.
ISO has reported 11th March 2021 to be the last date by which all OHSAS 18001 certified firms should migrate to ISO 45001. Contact us now and we will shift you an extra mile forward in no time!!!