A BARBOUR GUIDE. Benefits Gained from Implementation of OHSAS18001

Transcription

1 A BARBOUR GUIDE

2 01 Background OHSAS is the benchmark for occupational health and safety and is recognised around the globe. It is intended to help an organisation control health and safety hazards and risks. It was developed in response to widespread demand for a recognised standard against which to be certified and assessed. OHSAS sets out the requirements for planning and managing a health and safety system that takes into account inputs from regulatory requirements, stakeholders and members of the public. It sends out a strong message that your organisation operates your business in a safe and healthy manner. It provides a framework for improvement in health and safety performance and will communicate credibility and confidence to your customers and employees. A health and safety management system provides a structure for managing health and safety responsibilities so that they become more efficient and more integrated into overall operations. This framework allows an organisation to understand, describe and control its significant health and safety hazards, assesses risk and ensures compliance with health and safety legislation leading to continual improvement of its business operations. What are the benefits...? There are a range of benefits associated with the operating an effective health and safety management system: Risk and Compliance: Efficiency: a health and safety management system provides a framework for continual improvement of health and safety performance less time spent off work through injury or illness. Organisational: a health and safety management system provides assurance on health and safety issues to external stakeholders such as customers, the community and regulators a health and safety management system enables the organisation to be able to demonstrate it is compliant with all applicable health and safety legislation and other requirements to which it subscribes a health and safety management system provides should for potentially include fewer the allocation inspection of responsibilities visits from regulatory and arrangements agencies such for as putting HSE inspectors the policy into effect. All of the improved relationships with regulators. Organisations that implement a health and safety management system often report improved relations with government regulatory agencies and find that regulators are quicker to provide technical support and take a more supportive approach. a health and safety management system can provide assurance to the senior management team that it is in control of the organisational processes and activities having a direct impact on the health and safety of its employees and others, including contractors and temporary workers a health and safety management system provides your organisation with assurance that you meet, and will continue to meet, your health and safety commitments and corporate policy requirements this type is commonly referred to as Planned Preventive PAGE 1 > BARBOUR ENVIRONMENT, HEALTH & SAFETY

3 capturing institutional knowledge ensures that information is properly documented, communicated and retained. The cyclical nature of health and safety management systems further ensures all information is reviewed and updated at least annually increased awareness through consultation and participation, organisations benefit from better communication about health and safety issues inside and outside the organisation gives people an avenue to raise health and safety concerns and makes it clear that health and safety is an important part of the corporate culture. Commercial: a Where health possible, and safety access management restrictions should system involve can lead theto direct reductions in the costs associated with accidents, incidents and instances of ill health there is potential for savings through a reduction in time lost through accidents and incidents increased competitiveness amongst industry rivals increasing profitability can be achieved through process improvements and standardised ways of working following implementation of risk assessments, method statements and controls an effective health and safety management system reduces the potential for fines and costs associated with civil or criminal claims against the organisation reduced insurance costs can be realised as a result of potentially lower public liability insurance premiums. Moral and Ethical: an effective health and safety management system leads to improved corporate image among regulators, customers and the public an effective health and safety management system can aid employee retention based on the belief that they are working for a responsible organisation a health and safety management system demonstrates to your business partners, regulatory agencies, employees, their families and the community that you are a responsible employer safety benefits by reviewing the procedures for controlling significant operations, including a review of emergency preparedness and response procedures, organisations are able to identify and implement significant safety improvements. OHSAS Third Party Certification work should always be used in the exceptional In addition to the above, third party certification of the circumstance that live working cannot be avoided. health and safety management system with a UKAS accredited Permits should certification also be used body: for work involving isolation at a point remote from the place where the work is taking ensures that the health and safety management system is consistent according to set protocols provides a degree of credibility and integrity when it comes to reporting and publishing health and safety information and statistics demonstrates an organisation s commitment to transparency and accountability. Summary To realise the true benefits of an effective health and safety management system there must be: commitment from senior management In an any involvement case, sockets of within staff throughout workshops the organisation (RCDs). the fostering Fixed workshop of a proactive machines health such and as safety pillar culture drills accessible effective training emergency and stop a commitment devices and of be resources. connected via a no volt release device. Health and safety standards make good business sense and gaining Further certification details are available requires within a degree Barbour of commitment Guide from everybody. The focus of health and safety management systems is prevention of injury and ill health to people working for or on competent behalf of person. the organisation, Portable power compliance tools should with legislation ideally and be battery continual powered improvement or 110v CTE, of an supplied organisation s via a health and safety transformer. performance. Where 240v tools are necessary, they It residual focuses current on controlling device. significant hazards and risks by establishing controls and arrangements for their management Further details and are available mitigation. within Barbour Guide Companies must describe what they intend to do, adhere to their procedures and record their efforts to demonstrate compliance and improvement. A Hazardous health and and safety flammable management substances system are frequently may be structured used in for a maintenance similar way to activities a quality eg management paints, thinners, system adhesives, or as part of LPG. existing There management are also chemicals systems. used in powered You will set objectives, targets and implement programmes to improve your health and safety performance which often leads to financial benefits and reduced risk. PAGE 42 > BARBOUR BARBOUR ENVIRONMENT, ENVIRONMENT, HEALTH HEALTH && SAFETY SAFETY

4 Organisations are also required to pay particular attention to the identification of applicable legislation, regulations and other requirements. It is particularly important to identify how the legislation affects you so that compliance measures can be adopted and periodically evaluated ensuring requirements are understood by employees and implemented effectively. Third party certification of the health and safety management system ensures that credibility is guaranteed when the organisation is making claims relating to improved health and safety performance. work should always be used in the exceptional circumstance that live working cannot be avoided. Permits should also be used for work involving isolation at a point remote from the place where the work is taking Issued: February 2012 Where possible, access restrictions should involve the In any case, sockets within workshops (RCDs). Fixed workshop machines such as pillar drills accessible emergency stop devices and be connected via a no volt release device. competent person. Portable power tools should ideally be battery powered or 110v CTE, supplied via a transformer. Where 240v tools are necessary, they residual current device. Hazardous and flammable substances are frequently used for maintenance activities eg paints, thinners, adhesives, LPG. There are also chemicals used in powered PAGE 34 > BARBOUR ENVIRONMENT, HEALTH & SAFETY &

5 Disclaimer Barbour is a trading division and trading work name should of UBM always be used in the exceptional Information Limited (UBMi). It has published circumstance this Guide that live working cannot be avoided. in order to help the promotion of good Permits practice should amongst also be used for work involving isolation knowledgeable and competent specialists at a point the remote subject from the place where the work is taking covered by this Guide. By using this Guide, the user acknowledges, accepts and agrees to the following: UBMi does not give any condition, warranty or other term, or accept any duty of care or liability, in connection with the quality or fitness for purpose of this Guide, or any loss or damage resulting from reliance on it, and it excludes all these. Where possible, access restrictions should involve the When deciding whether or how to act, the user should always obtain appropriate professional advice and should not rely on any information, advice or recommendation in this Guide, however it has been expressed. The user is responsible for obtaining professional advice, and acknowledges that any defects in this Guide would be detected by a knowledgeable and competent specialist providing that advice. Any use of this Guide by any person is subject to UBMi s user terms for Barbour services, and by In using any case, it the sockets user is within workshops accepting those terms, and agreeing to be bound by them, on behalf of the user and all other persons for whom the (RCDs). Fixed workshop machines such as pillar drills user undertakes any work. accessible emergency stop devices and be connected The user waives (and agrees to waive) all claims for loss or damage which it might otherwise have via against a no volt UBMi release in device. connection with this Guide other than those arising out of a liability which UBMi has for personal injury (whether fatal or otherwise) resulting from negligence. competent person. Portable power tools should ideally be battery powered or 110v CTE, supplied via a transformer. Where 240v tools are necessary, they residual current device. Hazardous and flammable substances are frequently used for maintenance activities eg paints, thinners, adhesives, LPG. There are also chemicals used in powered PAGE 4 > BARBOUR ENVIRONMENT, HEALTH & & SAFETY SAFETY