Posted By Nigel Hammond I don't do this very often but I feel I have to brag about something. I just picked up the certificate of registration today for OHSAS 18001 - the occupational H&S managment systems standard. This makes our organisation the first charity for people with learning disabilities to get this award. It involved much work and many audits by BSI and is a great achievement.

Posted By CHRISTOPHER HAYWARD Congratulations. Something to be proud of.

Posted By James K Well done. That is an award to be very proud of. At this moment in time I am trying to get where you are now. Even though I am only in the early stages, and the thoughts of it are frightening me, I look forward to the task. Again, well done and congrats to you and your team. Jim

Posted By Dave Stevenson Well Done. I started to implement 18001 in my old role. Out of interest, when I was doing this 18001 was still a specification for Occ H&S Man systems, is it now a standard and has it replaced BS8800? Regards Dave

Posted By Robert K Lewis It is still a specification Bob

Posted By Jay Joshi Congratulations for this! I personally would not be too concerned about OHSAS 18001 being referred to as a "specification" and not a "standard". There is no Occupational Health and Safety Management System (OHSMS) Standard from BSI because the majority of representative oraganisations that make up the technical committee (HS/1) for BS 8800 decided that BS 8800 will not be a "certification" type standard for a variety of reasons. Unless this changes, we cannot have a "British Standard" for OHSMS!--unless there are cahnges at European (CEN)or International (ISO) levels. At ISO (international level), the BSI proposal to commence the procedure for an ISO Standard did not get the required majority in late 1990's-eventually ILO published its guidelines. For all practical purposes, OHSAS 18001 is the "de-facto" international Occupational Health and Safety "Standard" (even if it is technically called a "specification")that can be certificated. It is my understanding that the Dutch Accreditation Body, RvA can now accredit certification bodies for OHSAS 18001! Unfortunately, UKAS cannot as its MoU with DTI does not include accreditation of OHSAS 18001. As is the case will all other types of certification standards for Management Systems, it is the competence of auditors and the quality of advice from the certification body that makes all the difference.