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Posted By Alan Connolly
Can any one give me some advice on where I can find out more information on OHSAS 18001? I'm thinking of going for it, but can't get any real information on what exact standards need to be met. Are there other (better) systems to try and achieve? Alan
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Posted By Ian Waldram
The IOSH Guide 'Systems in Focus' might answer some of your questions, you can download it from the Technical Information page. It doesn't detail the standards expected, but does show how all systems are pretty similar.
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Posted By Alan Connolly
Thanks, Will have a read through it, should keep me busy for a while!
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Posted By Gary G Hi Alan I would suggest you take a look at the BSI site all the reference materials can be purchased from them, such as OHSAS 18001: 1999, 18002:2000, BS 8800: 2004, or integration of the different standards. The link is http://www.bsi-global.com/en/Hope this is of use. Gary
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Posted By Rauf Dear Alan, Please go for ANSI website and though it you will find all information about full ISO. Honestly there are 1 year study materials. If you need specific questions regarding OHSAS 18001 let me know I will answer to you. My email raufmirrashidli@yahoo.comPlease don't hesitate to ask for any questions. Rauf
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Posted By Alan Connolly
Many thanks everyone for your help.
Rauf - I might take you up on your offer in the not too distant future. Thanks again, Alan
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Posted By Bryn Jones
OHSAS 18001 is going to change to a ISO this year and all the major certification bodies are being audited by UKAS and from my understanding only 2 have passed.
The rest are struggling with auditor competance,This is a bit of a worry don't you think!
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Posted By Jay Joshi
There is a lot of confusion about the status of OHSAS 18001.
OHSAS 18001 is not an ISO Standard
OHSAS 18001 is an "Assessment Specification" published by the British Stabdards Institution when major certification bodies got together to find a solution to the than ever increasing numbers of OHS certification produts that were available from each of the certification bodies. This situation arose as the British Standard for OHS Management Systems, BS 8800 did not lent itself to certification.
Over the years, OHSAS appears to have become a defacto "International Standard" despite having nothing to do with ISO.
OHSAS 18001 wa not accredite by any national accreditaion body until the Dutch one commenced. This was followed by UKAS with the current pilot.
The only change is that that OHSAS 18001 may become a full fledged British Standard by the end of this year, but not an ISO one
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Posted By Darren J Fraser
Morning Alan
Best piece of advice I could give you - attend a Lead Auditor course for this specification. Many companies run these courses, BSI are just one of them (the course is delivered by one of those involved with writing the specification in the very beginning). Over the 5 days, you will understand what the specification requires and the meaning of each clause.
The cost is not excessive.
Later this year, the specification will likely become a British Standard, along with other countries also adopting it as a national standard.
It is currently being redrafted, and my understanding is that a new clause may be added, but this has not yet been confirmed.
Dependant upon how much you have in place already will determine how long a process it will take for your organisation to become accreditted. From reports I have seen the majority of organisations are taking between 18 and 30 months from conception to finish.
If you would like to discuss this in further detail off forum, please do not hesitate to get in contact.
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Posted By Alan Connolly Darren, can you email me on ajc140971@gmail.com? I have a few basic questions that I'd really appreciate some answers to. I need to make sure that I'm not trying to take on more than I can realistically handle. Many thanks, Alan
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Posted By Paul L Williams
Ian,
I have always operated a H&S management system to HS(G)65 and added bits to it so it works along side my ISO14O01 environmental management system such as document control, compliance with legal and other requirements, management review, objectives and targets, audits etc. I wondered how far off a the OHSAS18001 standard I was so I got BSI to do a pre-assessment audit. I was surprised and very happy that they found no non-conformance's or improvement actions with the system only a couple of recommendations to put in the H&S manual the exact location of procedures and their references. I was told by the auditor that the systems I had put in place were better than some company's he visited who had already got OHSAS 18001. Its now for the company to decided whether to go for it. The moral of the story is don't pay a fortune to have consultants say they will put a system in place for you as you may be not that far off anyway if you are working to HS(G)65.
Cheers
Paul Williams
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Posted By Steve Cartwright
Agree with Paul
HSE like HSG65 because it is their model. Insurance company were ok with it too. Unless your company have specifically asked for it I would not bother with OHSAS as I'm led to believe it costs around £6000 - £8000. I may be wrong.
Steve
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Posted By Merv Newman
I'm a little bit concerned about some of the responses, particularly on OHSAS 18000 becoming an ISO.
First because BSI in their preamble to 18000 said that the "advisory standard" would be withdrawn if an ISO OHS became approved. So it could eventually be replaced by something completely different. (see Monty python)
Second because some European governments voted against adoption of the OHSAS as an ISO; Notably the French who said there was no need for an ISO : "All the employer has to do is to obey the law, and, anyway, H&S is the unions responsibility"
Can anyone clarify these points ?
Merv
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Posted By Andy Brazier I blogged some notes a few months ago about the change of OHSAS to a British Standard. It was based on a 'webinar' from BSI. I appreciate things may have changed in the last couple of months, but you may find it useful. Go to http://andybrazier.blogs...-18001-to-become-bs.html
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Posted By Andrew Farrell
Alan,
Just to let you know that BS OHSAS 18001: 2007 will be published by BSI on the 2nd July.
If you require any detail with regards to the changes, please feel free to contact me.
regards
Andy
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Posted By Ian G Hutchings
Alan
Good to see the advice from Paul et al about HS(G)65 etc.
I have found several businesses with OHSAS 18001 certification to be very poor at managing safety and some to be excellent. Depending on what you pay and who you use you can get a perfectly workable system or a complete bureaucratic waste of paper that does not reduce risk.
Unfortunately my opinion is that it does not always improve EHS performance. You can use other models and approaches to equally good effect.
In truth they are all pretty similar - HS(G)65, OHSAS, ILO etc. It is how they are applied in practice, whether leadership is truly committed and how the real day-to-day hazards are managed.
You've just got to do what fits and is right for your business.
Good luck
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Posted By Jay Joshi
There appears to be a lot of conflicting information reagarding the proposed BS 18001.
I am surprised that firstly, it would be titled BS OHSAS 18001. Secondly, most British Standards before being finalised have a draft for public comment. I have not seen any references to such a document, although the BS commitee working on it would have a version, but keep it to themselves until they have agreed on the draft for public comment.
Unfortunately, despite the fact that Standards Development is a funded activity, there does not appear to be publicly available information regarding all this. It leads to speculation.
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Posted By Darren J Fraser
Jay
There is a draft of OHSAS 18001:2007, called working draft 2 (WD2) and was made avaliable in November 2006 for comment and consultation. It is now being discussed at an international level with representatives from the UK, France, Spain, USA amongst others. It is my understanding that once agreement has been reached by all parties, it is likely to become BS OHSAS 18001, and is likely to adopted as a national standard by the other participating countries. The chair of the consultation committee is a gentleman named David Smith (co-author of Managing Safety the Systems Way - Implementing OHSAS 18001 using BS 8800, and Managing the Environment the 14001 way).
Hope this helps.
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