What is ISO 18001?

OHSAS 18001 - ‘Occupational Health and Safety Management Specifications’ is an international occupational health and safety management system specification, embracing BS8800, AS/NZ 4801, NSAI SR 320 and other publications. It was developed in response to the need for organisations to meet their health and safety obligations effectively and to remove the confusion caused by the proliferation of certifiable OH&S specifications. OHSAS 18001 has been developed to be compatible with the ISO 9001 (Quality) and ISO 14001 (Environmental) management systems standards. Therefore it facilitates the integration of quality, environmental and occupational health and safety management systems, for organisations wishing to do so. 

OHSAS 18001 does not state specific OH&S performance criteria, nor does it give detailed specifications for the design of a management system. OHSAS 18001 is not a legislative requirement or a guide to implementation.

Who  is it for?

The OHSAS specification is applicable to any organisation that wishes to:

• Establish an OH&S management system to eliminate or minimise risk to employees and other interested parties who may be exposed to OH&S risks associated with its activities

• Gain competitive advantage

• Implement, maintain, and continually improve an OH&S management system

• Assure compliance with its stated OH&S policy

• Demonstrate such compliance to third parties, suppliers, stakeholders etc

• Seek certification/registration of its OH&S management system by an external organisation

Features & Benefits 

The following points are the key areas that need to be addressed when using an OHSAS 18001 system.

How close are you to already having a world class OHSMS in place? (Please check the points relating to the tasks you already do):  

• Planning for hazard identification, risk assessment and risk control – Do you identify hazards, assess risks and implement the necessary risk control measures?

• OH&S management program(s) – Do you measure and monitor achievement of your performance objectives?

• Structure and responsibility – Do you establish 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 – Do you ensure that personnel are competent to perform tasks that may impact OH&S in the workplace?

• Consultation and communication – Do you ensure that OH&S information is communicated to and from employees and other interested parties effectively?

• Operational control – Do you ensure the necessary measures and specified conditions are in place to control identified risks?

• Emergency preparedness and response – Do you have plans and procedures in place to identify the potential for, and subsequent response times to emergency situations?

• Performance measuring and monitoring – Do you monitor and measure OH&S performance on a regular basis? So how did you do? 

If this exercise highlighted areas where you think you need to improve, contact Nucleus Consultants.

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