Effective Occupational Safety and Health Management System (OHSMS) Recommendations
Source: Steven Geigle, CSHM
OSHA Training Network
An effective audit should be designed such that the following criteria are incorporated:
1. The OHSMS should be auditable. Written plans, policies, procedures, and rules should include "shall" statements. This helps ensure the OHSMS is auditable. A system replete with "should" is not considered "official" and is much more difficult to support in an effort to achieve certification or registration.
2. The OHSMS plan should contain a two-tiered approach. The first tier or general plan addresses non-technical variables that might be most useful in for low-hazard industries and processes. A second tier or comprehensive plan contains more technical criteria required for high-hazard industries and processes. A useful OHSMS development strategy might be to first complete a general audit followed by a more comprehensive audit.
3. The OHSMS plan should address established elements. Established and recognized OHSMS variables should be the basis for the development of both a general and comprehensive OHSMS. Examples include:
- Management leadership
- Employee involvement
- Program Planning
- Hazard anticipation, analysis and controls
- Program Implementation and Operation
- System analysis
- System evaluation
- Management review
4. Full participation in the audit process. All employees, supervisors, and managers should participate in the development and implementation of the OHSMS. Ownership by all employees is critical to the success of the OHSMS. Bottom line: We value what we own.
5. Base the OHSMS plan on established guidelines. Don't try to "invent" an OHSMS. The work has been done. You should draw on the principles in established standards like those detailed in the following OHSMS documents:
- ILO OHSMS
- ISO 14001
- ANSI Z10-2005
- OHSAS 18001
- VPP/SHARP
These published standards have received wide acceptance. Many organizations who have implemented OHSMS's, even in accordance with schemes developed by others, have followed the principles contained within one or more of these standards.
6. Consult third-party experts. Take advantage of expert knowledge and skills to evaluate the OHSMS plan. Invite one or more of the following to assist in development and implementation of the OHSMS:
- OSHA consultants
- Insurer representatives
- Private consultants
- Industry association consultants
7. OHSMS structure. All systems have structure as well as inputs, processes and outputs. The structure of the OHSMS is important. Make sure the OHSMS includes at a minimum the following functions:
- safety manager
- safety engineer
- human resource coordinator
- safety committee
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