OHS Management Systems mini lecture

Summary

This lecture by Joe Kitney for London South Bank University's Occupational Health Nursing degree program introduces occupational health and safety management systems (OHSMS). It covers the international standard OSHAS 18001, explaining the system's structure, components like policies, procedures, and templates, and its application across various business areas. The lecture also discusses system types, from simple manuals to comprehensive systems, tailored to business size and risk. It outlines steps for implementing OHSMS, emphasizing the importance of continuous improvement and adaptation.

Takeaways

• 🏥 Occupational Health and Safety Management Systems (OHSMS) are crucial for managing health and safety at work and include policies, procedures, plans, forms, and templates.
• 🌐 The international standard for OHSMS is OSHAS 18001, which provides a structured approach to managing occupational health and safety.
• 🔍 OHSMS can be standalone or integrated with other management systems like quality, environment, HR, and people management.
• 👔 Senior management often decides the type of OHSMS to implement, considering business needs, legal obligations, and resource implications.
• 📚 The system's contents are influenced by the organization's size, industry, type of workers, work activities, and legislative obligations.
• 🏭 Higher risk industries, like mining and construction, require more comprehensive management systems than lower risk businesses.
• 🛠️ Operational controls are a key part of OHSMS, focusing on managing specific work activities, hazards, and risks associated with the organization.
• 📈 OSHAS 18001 provides a framework that includes policies, procedures, and management inputs necessary for effective workplace risk management.
• 📊 The implementation of OHSMS can vary, ranging from simple manuals with forms for small businesses to comprehensive systems for larger organizations.
• 🔄 Continuous improvement is a core aspect of OHSMS, requiring ongoing monitoring, review, and updating to adapt to changes in the workplace.

Q & A

What is an Occupational Health and Safety Management System?

An Occupational Health and Safety Management System is a set of policies, procedures, plans, forms, and templates that an organization needs to manage health and safety at work.

What does the acronym OSH stand for?

OSH stands for Occupational Safety and Health, which is a term used to describe the management system focused on health and safety in the workplace.

What is the purpose of an OHS management system?

The purpose of an OHS management system is to provide a structured approach to managing health and safety within an organization, ensuring compliance with legal requirements and reducing the risk of accidents and health issues.

What is the international standard for Occupational Health and Safety Management Systems?

The international standard for Occupational Health and Safety Management Systems is OHSAS 18001, which lays down the structure for effective health and safety management.

Can an OHS management system be standalone or integrated with other management systems?

Yes, an OHS management system can be either standalone, meaning it is specifically designed to manage health and safety, or it can be integrated with other parts of a business such as quality, environment, HR, and people management.

Why is the decision on the type of OHS management system important?

The decision on the type of OHS management system is important because it needs to suit the business and can have significant resource implications for putting a management system in place.

What are the common elements found within most OHS management systems?

Common elements found within most OHS management systems include identifying hazards and risks, providing training and information, ensuring staff have the right personal protective equipment, access to first aid, and responding to incidents or monitoring workers' health.

How does the complexity of an OHS management system vary between organizations?

The complexity of an OHS management system varies based on factors such as the size of the organization, the industry it operates in, the type of workers, work activities, and the obligations within health and safety legislation.

What is the role of operational controls in an OHS management system?

Operational controls, also sometimes referred to as managing hazards and risks, are a part of an OHS management system that includes specific controls for managing work activities, hazards, and risks associated with different types of environments such as offices, manufacturing, and construction.

What are the main steps for putting an OHS management system in place?

The main steps for putting an OHS management system in place include deciding on the type of system needed, identifying what will be included in the system, developing the documents and resources, putting the system in place, and checking how things are going and making necessary updates and changes.

Why is it important to include workers in the design and development of the OHS management system?

It is important to include workers in the design and development of the OHS management system to ensure that the documents and resources meet their needs, considering factors such as their reading capability, literacy, and the format in which they will use the documents.

What is the significance of OHSAS 18001 in the context of OHS management systems?

OHSAS 18001 is significant as it provides a benchmark for organizations to develop effective health and safety management systems. It can be used for internal benchmarking, compliance, or as a basis for external audits and accreditation.