Explanation of Health and Safety Management Systems

The structures of the health and safetysafety to employees - verbal, written, visible.
management systems are similar to each other* Competence of all employees through
and contain the following elements, with therecruitment, training and advisory support to
provision of development toward continualensure that they make the maximum contribution
improvement with HSG 65 / BS 8800 and anto health and safety.
integral component within OHSAS 18001:Planning and Implementation
* Policy and policy developmentEffective planning is the key to constructive and
* Organising and an organisational developmentsustained occupational health and safety success,
programmewith the ultimate goal being to prevent injury or ill
* Planning and implementation arrangementshealth, it is therefore on this basis, that contained
* Measuring performance arrangementswithin the management health and safety system
* Reviewing performance arrangementsare procedures in place to achieve this aim.
* Auditing on a continual basisA risk control system will be the centre of an
The OHSAS 18001 guidance document virtuallyoccupational health and safety system, promoting
mirrors this model; the word planning replacesa proactive approach as opposed to reactive
organising, implementation and operation forprocedures.
planning and implementation and measuringThe management safety system will contain
performance is referred to as checking andprocedures for the ongoing identification of
corrective action. BS 8800 has been based on thehazards, assessing the level of risks and the
HSE system HSG 65 with the inclusion of an initialimplementation of control measures to reduce the
status review as an additional element.risks to an acceptable level.
PolicyMeasuring Performance
Commitment to the health safety and welfare willMonitoring is essential in order to obtain feedback
extend to all stakeholders, i.e. employees,on the systems and procedures that have been
contractors, customers, visitors and the public atput into place i.e. are they effective are they
large.being adhered to.
The policy should:There are two ways in which monitoring can
* have, as an integral part of a managementachieve feedback:
system, a hazard identification, risk assessment* Proactively - Checking on the effectiveness of
and risk control procedure.the control measures, the safe systems of work
* have realistic objectives in line with theand the management procedures that have been
organisations aimsput into place.
* be committed to achieving the legal* Reactively - Checking on systems that are part
requirements, ensure that stakeholder interestsof the health and safety management system
are fulfilled and workplace risks are adequatelydesigned to record accidents the incidence of ill
contained.health and to examine absentee figures from a
* include a strategy for planned performancehealth and safety perspective.
improvement.Audit and performance reviews
* ensure that sufficient resources are available toTop management should periodically ensure the
meet the stated aims.applicability, sufficiency and effectiveness of the
* include a commitment to the consultationhealth and safety management systems. An
process and encourage worker participation.effective audit will examine the policy,
* clearly state responsibilities and ensureorganisation, the planning and implementation,
unequivocal communication procedures.measuring and review systems.
* ensure that all interested parties are aware of* Interview people
the policy procedures.* Review and assess additional documents
* keep abreast of new technology, processes and* Observe physical conditions and work activities
procedures and update the policy accordingly.BS 8800 which is a British Standard is not
* If any changes occur, the revised policy to becertificated, HSG 65 the system initiated by the
communicated immediately.Health and Safety Executive is not certificated
Organisingwhereas the guideline OHSAS 18001 is certificated.
Organising is where in the health and safetyThis situation does not provide for a general
management system that the basis for the healthrecognition of certification.
and safety culture is set, this can be split into theHSG 65 and BS 8800 do not in the present form
four C's (HSG 65):directly account for continual improvement, unlike
* Control through commitment of all employeesOHSAS 18001 which does. The former could with
to clear health a safety responsibilities andthe integration of TQM (Total Quality
objectives.Management) realize the aim. OHSAS 18801 has
* Co-operation through encouraging participationbeen specifically designed for compatibility with
and involvement of employees and theirISO 9001-2000 and ISO 14001 with the express
representatives in planning, writing procedures,purpose of achieving Integrated Management
solving problems and reviewing performance.Systems.
* Communication of information about health and