ohsas 18001 - DNV Business Assurance

PREPARING FOROHSAS 18001CERTIFICATIONImplementing an Occupational Health and Safety AssessmentSeries requires an organization to investigate health and safetyrisks related to its activities, products and services. OHSAS 18001is applicable to any type of organization.Implementing an Occupational Healthand Safety Assessment Series requiresan organization to investigate healthand safety risks related to its activities,products and services. OHSAS 18001is applicable to any type of organization.Why do I need OHSAS 18001?• Improve corporate image and credibility amongstakeholders, regulators, customers, prospective clientsand the public• Ensure health and wellbeing of employees,subcontractors and public• Gain competitive advantages• Fulfill OH&S legal compliance and corporaterequirementsThe OHSAS 18001 certification process is based on the‘plan-do-check-act’ principle and will typically involve apreparatory meeting, an optional pre-audit and an initialtwo-stage on-site audit.GAP/Preliminary Stage:When initially considering certification, many businesseswish to gauge “the status of their management systemand to understand the overall certification process” tendto seek a GAP/Preliminary visit which provides a very highlevel examination of the status of the management system.Feedback at this time from experienced DNV Auditorshelps to identify key areas requiring more attention beforethe business pursues the more advanced certificationpreparation stage i.e. Document Review - Initial Visit.Document Review- Initial VisitDepending on the confidence level of a business and itsmanagement systems the Document Review - Initial Visit,apart from being a Stage 1 requirement by UKAS enablesa joint review of all the requirements for certificationwith sampling of both the defined processes and theimplementation level, concluding the readiness of a businessto complete the Certification Stage [UKAS Stage 2] whichresults in certification recommendation.The output from the DNV Document Review- Initial VisitAudit Report clearly identifies potential gaps in order for thebusiness to address them to assure a successful certificationvisit.The Plan-Do-Check-Act Principle1. PlanThe planning stage will require the commitment of topmanagement. A key requirement is to identify, control andreduce risks related to workplace hazards. Planning must becompleted to establish a framework for identifying hazardsand assessing the implementation of necessary controlmeasures.

There are several publications designed to help youunderstand and implement an Occupational Health andSafety Management System. Legal obligations must beunderstood and the entire process should be documented.2. Implement your Health and SafetyManagement SystemThis stage of the process involves implementing yourHealth and Safety Management System. You will needto establish roles and responsibilities to communicateOccupational Health and Safety information. You must alsodocument your processes and establish methods for datacontrol.3. Check your Management SystemContinuous improvement is the goal at the third stageof certification. Measurement and monitoring are keyin order to take corrective action. You will also carryout audits and assessments of the performance of themanagement system. Finally, you will need to conduct amanagement review of the system.4. ActGaining registration is a phased approach. This is whereyour OHSAS 18001 Management System will be reviewed.Periodic assessments and reviews will be conducted toensure that your system meets the requirements.