OHSAS 18001 is a British standard which focuses on occupational health and safety. This occupational health and safety management system standard will greatly impact companies and auditors using OHSAS 18001. So are you prepared to implement the new standard? Let’s begin with the key steps to attain certification!

What is OHSAS 18001 and its Relation with ISO 45001? 

OHSAS 18001 is an International standard which provides a framework to identify, control and decrease the risk associated with health and safety within the workplace. Implementing the standard will demonstrate to your stakeholders that employee health and safety comes in a top priority list within your organization. OHSAS 18001 is being replaced by ISO 45001 which was published in March 2018 by the International Organization for Standardizations and was certified as OHSAS 18001. 

OHSAS 18001 framework helps businesses to identify and control the risks related to health and safety which reduces the potential for accidents, helps legal compliance and improves overall experience. It provides organizations with the elements of an effective safety management system which can be integrated with other management systems and help organizations achieve better occupational health and safety performance and economic objectives.

The standard outlines requirements for an OHS management system to help an organization create and execute a policy and objectives that consider legal obligations and information about OH&S risks. OHSAS 18001 can be integrated with existing ISO 9001 and ISO 14001 management systems. Many organizations now look at implementing all three standards at once which can minimize costs and disruption.

The main objective of OHSAS 18001 is hazard control. It offers a framework for managing occupational health and safety effectively taking into account risk management and regulatory compliance. Instead of addressing any specific product safety issues it deals with worker health and safety. 

What are Quality Audits? 

Even if your firm has all the systems in order to sell high-quality products and has no faulty documentation trials, a quality audit is bound to cause you some anxiety and tension. A quality audit is the last step your business needs to undertake before being declared ISO-compliant. 

Quality audit is the process of systematic examination of a quality management system conducted by internal and external auditors to check if it verifies whether you have met all the ISO 9001 requirements or not. Quality audits are usually performed in a way that predefines time intervals and ensures that the organization has clearly defined procedures and results linked to effective action. 

This can help in ensuring that the industry complies with the quality system procedures and can involve results-based assessment criteria. All these are based on how well your business meets requirements. The auditor will either issue your firm with the ISO certification or ask you to take some corrective actions to get approval for the same.

What are the Objectives of Quality Audits?

The organization shall establish quality objectives at relevant function levels and processes needed for the quality management system. The objective of quality audit focuses on the following areas- 

1. Specific-  One of the key objectives of audit is to provide internal and external standards. These can include industry-specific quality ISO standards or safety standards. Audits check whether the process, procedures and products are aligned with these requirements which reduces the non-compliance risk that could result in legal issues.

2. Measurable- Quality Audits help organizations identify areas and rectify them to meet their quality objectives. Identifying loopholes is important to address issues before they rise into critical issues. This can include finding inefficiencies or areas where quality is not up to expected levels.

3. Achievable-  Achievement in quality audit involves setting goals that build on continuous improvement which makes gradual progress. It includes setting goals that can be reasonably met within the organization’s capabilities and resources without leading to unattainable expectations.

4. Realistic- Quality objectives must be set in consideration of resources available to the organization. Setting goals includes financial resources, capabilities, workforce and time. Realistic quality objectives often focus on building credibility. Organizations can boost their business by continuing improvement without setting unsustainable targets.

5. Time-based-  This objective showcases the importance of timely progress, ensuring quality improvements. Time-based objectives revolve around clear and realistic deadlines. Organizations must set a specific time frame where the quality target should be achieved.

Key steps to follow OHSAS 18001 Certification 

Here is the OHSAS 18001 process of achieving certification from selecting a certificate to preparing for the audit and maintaining your certification. Whether you are new to occupational health and safety to improve your existing system, these steps provide valuable insights and practical tips to help you achieve OHSAS 18001 certification.

1. Understand the OHSAS 18001 requirements- The OHSAS 18001  clarify what kind of resources are required to develop a safe working environment & products or services. Use the information and results from internal audits and management reviews to make improvements to the OHSAS system.

2. Identify Areas for Improvement- During the development of the system, you will determine how to ensure competent personnel, identify training that is required and identify the infrastructure. Organizations need to plan all of the processes that go into making their products or services to ensure safe conditions.

3. Implement OHS Management System- Top Management must be communicated to and involved in the design and implementation of the OHSAS. A process is needed for the safety team to inspect compliance with legal and other requirements. They will create a health & safety OHS policy and be responsible for making sure it is communicated and implemented. After implantation, conduct a management review to ensure the continued effectiveness of the system. 

4. Regular Audits and Inspection- Measuring and monitoring equipment needed to be controlled and calibrated. Records to facilitate corrective and preventive actions. Establish a document system for controlling nonconformities. Take action on incidents and emergencies when they occur. Conduct regular management reviews to ensure the effectiveness of the OHSAS in the organization.

5. Maintain Certification- After implementing all key points, there’s a key role to maintain the certification. Carry out management reviews with top management, show them stats of OHS performance, discuss the status of objective corrective preventive action and resource requirements, take decisions and start continuous improvements. The management team ensures to continue the same spirit and resource availability. 

Conclusion 

Achieving OHSAS 18001 certification requires a structured approach that begins with leadership commitment and conducting a gap analysis to identify areas of improvement. Organizations that create and implement safety management systems which include risk assessments, hazard control monitoring, internal and external audits, ensuring ongoing compliance and employee training. This process helps businesses to enhance the health and safety workplace environment which can boost the organization’s reputation for prioritizing health and safety.