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ISO 18001

BS OHSAS 18001 - Occupational Health and Safety

BS OHSAS 18001 is the internationally recognised assessment specification for occupational health and safety management systems. It was developed by a selection of leading trade bodies, international standards and certification bodies to address a gap where no third-party certifiable international standard existed. The standard promotes a safe and healthy working environment by providing a framework that allows an organisation to consistently identify and control its health and safety risks, reduce the potential for accidents, aid legislative compliance and improve overall performance.

In following the Plan-Do-Check-Act approach of many management system standards, BS OHSAS 18001 has been designed to be compatible with both ISO9001 and ISO14001.
Key Elements of BS OHSAS 18001
  • The following key areas are addressed by BS OHSAS 18001:
  • Planning for hazard identification, risk assessment and risk control
  • OHSAS management programme
  • Structure and responsibility
  • Training, awareness and competence
  • Consultation and communication
  • Operational control
  • Emergency preparedness and response
  • Performance measuring, monitoring and improvement
Using BS OHSAS 18001:2007 as a framework to manage and reduce the risks associated with health and safety leads to:
  • Reduction in the number of accidents
  • Less absenteeism
  • Reduction in downtime and associated costs
  • Lower insurance premiums
  • Higher productivity
  • Improved business performance
  • Improved management of health and safety risks
  • Improved reputation
  • More engagement with top management
  • Improved compliance with legislation
  • Lower risk of prosecution and fines
  • Integration with existing management systems

Benefits of Certification to BS OHSAS 18001
  • In a competitive marketplace, customers are looking for more than just keen pricing from their suppliers. Organisations need to demonstrate that they are managed efficiently and responsibly and can provide a reliable service without excessive downtime caused by work-related accidents and incidents.
  • Certifying your BS OHSAS 18001 management system enables your organisation to prove that it conforms to the specification and provides the following benefits:
  • Demonstrates legal and regulatory compliance
  • Proves your commitment to health and safety to all stakeholders
  • Illustrates an innovative and forward thinking approach
  • Increased access to new customers and business partners
  • Improved management of health and safety risks, now and in the future
  • Enhanced reputation and brand image also providing competitive advantage
  • Focus on continual improvement in occupational health and safety performance
  • Deemed to satisfy the entry requirements for construction schemes in the Safety Schemes In Procurement (SSIP) forum for construction including CHAS, Constructionline, SafeContractor and NHBC
The assessment is conducted in two stages:

Stage 1 - A review of the documented processes and procedures and assessing the system for compliance to the requirements of the standard. 

Stage 2 - Assessing the implementation of your occupational health and safety management system. 
 
Continuing Assessment Visits
The relationship does not stop there. The assessors will carry out a programme of continuing assessment visits – typically two visits a year – to ensure organisations continue to implement their occupational health and safety management system and continue to be effective and meet the requirements of the standard.
At Westminster Compliance, we have the knowledge and experience to prepare your organisation for successful accreditation. We provide a friendly, helpful and reasonably-priced service.

To find out more call us on 020 3411 7888 or e-mail us now!