Element 2: How Health and Safety Management Systems Work and What They Look Like Element 2
Element 2: How Health and Safety Management Systems Work and What They Look Like Element 2
Element 2: How Health and Safety Management Systems Work and What They Look Like Element 2
Learning outcomes:
2.1 Outline the key elements of Occupational Health and Safety Management System.
2.2 Outline the Occupational Health and Safety Management System Standard.
2.3 Explain the purpose and importance of setting policy for Occupational Health and
Safety.
2.4 Describe the key features and appropriate content for the effective Occupational Health
and Safety.
Contents
Health and safety management system is a process put in place by an employer to minimize
the risk of injury and illness. This is made possible by identifying, assessing and controlling
risks to workers in all workplace operations, identification and analysis of health and
safety hazards at the work site.
2.1.2 The basics of a health and safety management system: The „Plan, Do, Check, and
Act‟ (PDCA) Model
The notion of management systems is used often in the decision making processes in business
and unknowingly also in daily life, whether it is in the purchase of equipment, the extension
of business or more simply the selection of new furniture. The application of Occupational
Safety and Health Management Systems (OSHMS) is based on relevant OSH criteria,
standards and performance. It aims at providing a method to assess and improve performance
in the prevention of workplace incidents and accidents via the effective management of
hazards and risks in the workplace. It is a logical, stepwise method to decide what needs to be
done, how best to do it, monitor progress toward the established goals, evaluate how well it is
done and identify areas for improvement. It is and must be capable of being adapted to
changes in the business of the organization and to legislative requirements.
All the workplace elements to assess hazards and risks are considered, and
Management and workers are involved in the process at their level of responsibility.
The risks for occupational accidents and diseases at work have to be managed by the
employers and workers who are facing them. In order to ensure effective action, it is essential
to establish occupational safety and health (OSH) management systems at all workplaces for
continual improvement of working environment and preventive measures. The ILO
guidelines on occupational safety and health management systems provide guidance for
action at the national and enterprise levels.
Plan: the establishment of objectives and the processes that may deliver them, in harmony
with the Occupational Health & Safety Policy established by the organization
Check: the monitoring and measuring of results versus the Occupational Health & Safety
Policy, including all commitments, objectives, and criteria, and the reporting of them
It should be noted that the PDCA cycle is a recognized management system methodology that
is used across various business management systems, but its use is both compulsory and
highly beneficial within ISO 45001:2018. The standard is written so that the sections of the
ISO 45001:2018 standard easily fit into this PDCA cycle.
ISO 45001:2018
ISO 45001:2018 specifies requirements for an occupational health and safety (OH&S)
management system, and gives guidance for its use, to enable organizations to provide safe
and healthy workplaces by preventing work-related injury and ill health, as well as by
proactively improving its OH&S performance.
ISO 45001:2018 is applicable to any organization that wishes to establish, implement and
maintain an OH&S management system to improve occupational health and safety, eliminate
hazards and minimize OH&S risks (including system deficiencies), take advantage of OH&S
opportunities, and address OH&S management system nonconformities associated with its
activities.
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Element 2: How Health and Safety Management Systems Work and Element 2
What they look like
ISO 45001:2018 helps an organization to achieve the intended outcomes of its OH&S
management system. Consistent with the organization's OH&S policy, the intended outcomes
of an OH&S management system include:
a) Continual improvement of OH&S performance;
b) Fulfillment of legal requirements and other requirements;
c) Achievement of OH&S objectives.
ISO 45001:2018 is applicable to any organization regardless of its size, type and activities. It
is applicable to the OH&S risks under the organization's control, taking into account factors
such as the context in which the organization operates and the needs and expectations of its
workers and other interested parties.
ISO 45001:2018 does not state specific criteria for OH&S performance, nor is it prescriptive
about the design of an OH&S management system.
ISO 45001:2018 enables an organization, through its OH&S management system, to integrate
other aspects of health and safety, such as worker wellness/wellbeing.
ISO 45001:2018 does not address issues such as product safety, property damage or
environmental impacts, beyond the risks to workers and other relevant interested parties.
The ILO has designed these guidelines as a practical tool for assisting organizations and
competent institutions as a means of achieving continual improvement in occupational safety
and health (OSH) performance. The guidelines have been developed according to
internationally agreed principles defined by the ILO‟s tripartite constituents. The practical
recommendations of these guidelines are intended for use by all those who have
responsibility for OSH management
ILO-OSH 2001 provides a unique international model, compatible with other management
system standards and guides. It is not legally binding and not intended to replace national
laws, regulations and accepted standards. It reflects ILO values such as tripartism and
relevant international standards including the Occupational Safety and Health Convention,
1981 (No. 155) and the Occupational Health Services Convention, 1985 (No. 161). Its
application does not require certification, but it does not exclude certification as a means of
recognition of good practice if this is the wish of the country implementing the Guidelines.
The ILO Guidelines encourage the integration of OSH-MS with other management system
and state that OSH should be an integral part of business management. While integration is
desirable, flexible arrangements are required depending on the size and type of operation.
Ensuring good OSH performance is more important than formality of integration. As well as
this, ILO-OSH 2001 emphasizes that OSH should be a line management responsibility at the
organization,
Every time an accident occurs, then organization will be on the back foot, at the mercy of the
consequences.
Things like:
A. Organization‟s workforce is its business‟ greatest asset, each accident and incident
will dent staff morale.
B. When workers feel that their employer doesn‟t take OHS management seriously,
they‟ll be less likely to engage with their work.
This has a significant knock-on effect when it comes to productivity. A Gartner survey
found that workplaces with low morale typically have lower productivity levels. A formal
OHS management system will help reduce the likelihood of incidents and accidents from
occurring and this will, in turn, lower organization‟s costs of dealing with them.
Reduce the number of sick and ill days that the staff take
That‟s why putting in place an OHS management system is a sensible precaution to take. It
shows employees that their organization value their rights to a safe and healthy working
environment and have every intention of respecting this.
If the organization doesn‟t have OHS management system in place, the chances of
unwittingly committing an offense are quite high, whether due to negligence or human error.
A proper OHS management system will help all the staff to stay aware of current legal
requirements. This improves organization‟s regulatory compliance and lowers the risk of
organization having to pay a fine.
Falls
Injuries
Repetitive strain injuries
The effects of vibration and noise
Skin diseases
Asbestos-related diseases
And more!
When employees feel safe at work, they are more likely to feel confident. As we‟ve
discussed, this feeds through to many other areas of their work such as productivity,
efficiency and retention rates. Adopting an OHS management system is one way of building
confidence that complements other actions organization can take. For example, organization
can apply for ISO 45001 certification for its business as a way of showing staff that an
organization is committed to workplace safety. These certifications are some of the best
routes towards setting up formal procedures for managing health and safety risks. If
employees see that organization actively looking after their health and safety, relations and
confidence will improve. This will lead to a more productive, more efficient workforce.
A health and safety policy sets out our general approach to health and safety. It explains
how we, as an employer, will manage health and safety in our business. It should clearly say
who does what, when and how.
A health and safety policy sets out our general approach and commitment together with the
arrangements we have put in place for managing health and safety in our business. It is a
unique document that says who does what, when and how.
The purpose of the policy is to express the employer's commitment to health and safety.
Show Commitment - A policy commits the entire organization to maintain a safe workplace.
The OH&S policy is the mechanism by which top management formally articulates its
commitment to OH&S probity.
There are many differences in form and content of corporate policies. Their style, however, is
not as important as the clarity with which they identify functional responsibilities over
authority.
To be effective, a policy must
Provide safe and healthy working conditions for the prevention of work-related injury
and ill health which are appropriate to the specific nature of the OH&S risks to which
workers and others are exposed;
Provide a framework for setting the OH&S objectives;
Include a commitment to fulfill legal and other requirements;
Include a commitment to eliminate hazards and reduce OH&S risks;
Include a commitment to continual improvement of the OH&S management system;
Include a commitment to consultation with and participation of workers, and, where
they exist, workers‟ representatives.
It is important to share the organization‟s commitments with its workers, contractors and
others who work on behalf of the organization so that they understand top managements‟
expectations and can perform their work in a manner that contributes to meeting these
expectations. Making the health and safety policy publicly available, or available on request,
provides assurance to interested parties that the organization is doing its part to achieve
positive OH&S outcomes.
Responsibilities of Individuals
Individuals have a responsibility to carry out their assigned duties. For a health and safety
program to achieve its desired results, everyone in a workplace must know their
responsibilities.
The following are samples of assignments of responsibilities designed for different-sized
organizations. Select and customize, or create your own version.
Senior Executive/Managers
Line Management/Supervisors
Employees
Carry out work in a manner so as not to create a health and safety hazard to yourself
or others.
Participate in education and training.
Assist in the reduction and controlling of incident and illness producing conditions.
Report any incidents, near misses, injuries, or illnesses.
Use the correct tools and equipment for the job.
Keep tools and personal protective equipment in good condition or replace when
necessary.
Use the required safety equipment and personal protective equipment.
Report defects in workplace equipment.
Develop a personal concern for health and safety -- for yourself and for others,
particularly newcomers and young people.
Suggest ways to eliminate hazards or control risk.
Read, understand, and comply with workplace health and safety policy, safe work
practices and procedures.
Co-operate with health and safety committee members and representatives.
Participate in medical surveillance (e.g., hearing conservation programs, medical
monitoring, etc.).
Safety Co-coordinators/Officers
The policy should state that the workplace has clear rules for healthy and safe work
behavior. It should clarify who is responsible for developing, observing, and
enforcing the rules.
There should be clear guidelines for maintaining and operating equipment and
machinery. Again, individual responsibilities must be clarified.
The policy should state what type of education or training program will be provided
by the company to ensure that employees can meet their responsibilities. This learning
could include first day orientation, on-the-job training, and refresher courses.
The means for providing employees with information about basic or specific
workplace hazards, and detailed written procedures for hazardous jobs should be
outlined.
Regular worksite health and safety meetings at all levels of the organization are an
essential part of a good safety program. The policy could identify what issues will be
discussed at these meetings, what can be communicated verbally, and what should be
in writing.
Giving employees their own personal copy of the policy or a summary of it;
Displaying the policy on noticeboards.
Explaining the content of the policy at team briefings or tool-box talks and during
induction or refresher training courses.
Source Reference:
https://www.hseblog.com/nebosh-igc-1-health-safety-management-systems-policy/
Here is a sample of a series of questions that could be put in "Yes / No" checklist:
Does the statement express a commitment to health, safety, and well-being? Are
obligations towards employees made clear?
Does it say which senior officer is responsible for seeing that it is implemented and
for keeping it under review, and how this will be done?
Is it signed by senior executive?
Have the views of managers and supervisors, safety professionals, and health and
safety committees or representatives been taken into account?
Were the duties set out in the statement discussed with the people concerned? Do they
understand how their performance is to be assessed and what resources they have to
carry out their tasks safely?
Does the statement make clear that cooperation on the part of all employees is vital to
the success of the health and safety policy?
Does it say how employees are to be involved in health and safety matters, for
example, by being consulted, by taking part in inspections, or by participating on a
health and safety committee?
Does it show clearly how the duties for health and safety are allocated, and are the
responsibilities at different levels described?
Does it say who is responsible for the following matters?
o Investigation reports and incident records.
o Fire precautions and evacuation procedures.
o First aid.
o Safety inspections.
o Education and training program.
o Ensuring legal requirements are met.
Is management solely responsible for providing a healthy and safe working
environment?
Is employer's concern for health and safety as great as concern for economic financial
and marketing matters?
Does it include the names of individual managers who are responsible for making the
safety policy work in specific areas or departments?
Does it state the employer's duty to give education and training in health and safety to
all employees?
Does it outline the development and maintenance of health and safety roles and
procedures?
Does it include planned programs for health and safety at work?
Does it ensure that health and safety matters will be taken into account when planning
new methods processes or premises?
Does it include arrangements for disclosing information, including multilingual
information, on health and safety and well-being matters?
Does it explain how money is to be made available to support health and safety?
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Element 2: How Health and Safety Management Systems Work and Element 2
What they look like
Do all employees have copies of their employer's health and safety policy?
Are workplace representatives consulted about periodic revisions and updating of the
employer's health and safety policy?
Has the policy been reviewed with the health and safety committee?
Does it state who will review the policy and how often it will be reviewed?
Are there effective arrangements for drawing the policy to the attention of all
employees?
Is the delegation of duties logical and successive throughout the organization?
Is it clear that the ultimate responsibility for safety rests with senior management?
Are the responsibilities of senior managers written into the policy or into job
descriptions?
Are there procedures and controls in place that ensure accountability?
Is health and safety performance an essential ingredient of performance appraisals?
Do line managers understand and accept the nature of their health and safety
responsibilities?
Are there arrangements for liaison with contractors?
Are all individuals aware of their legal responsibilities?
Circumstances that would require a health and safety policy to be reviewed, such as
Source Reference:
https://www.hseblog.com/nebosh-igc-1-health-safety-management-systems-policy/