Hi all,

from sitting the Unit A of the NDip I seem to remember a figure of approximately 2 years (taking account the how long is a piece of string element) being discussed in implemented a recognised management model be it HSG 65 or OHSAS 18001 as was current at the time.

I'd like to know where this figure came from as I've cited it many times over the last 5-6 years (paraphrasing) but don't recall seeing a published reference source. Does anybobdy have a documented resource they could point to to help narrow my websearches and textbook time hunting please. 

Opinions welcome by those with good experience implementing management systems also. It may just be my experience by finding practitioners with HSMS implementation experience is thinner on the ground than I imagined.

Happy New Year all - let's make it a safe one

Hi Ray,

and Happy New year to you too. I couldn't agree more and maybe I could have put more detail into the bracketed peice of string content in the original post. I'm not really looking to explore that area, just hoping for a resource as my websearch and text book review didn't yield anything either. 

I'm sure this is going to end up experienced based from here on but I would like at least one reference to cite if possible. Less tangible elements such as culture, collaboration and other operational area maturation will all feed into this. It's just I know I'm not the only person to have heard or quoted this '2 year' timescale - even though as discussed, it's not hard and fixed.

Thanks for the comment though, always appreciated. 

Kind regards 

Hi Chris,

another valid point without doubt. I suppose our experience filters our opinions.

Coming from a Construction & Engineering background more recently, I can't envisage putting even HSG 65 into place with a reasonable compliance (Assumed insurance Band C 61-80% compliance) from Policy creation, through mandates and Directives being set by Leaders, to Procedures discussed with workers and representatives; through to a formal review of procedures and monitoring techniques etc. being carried out in under 18 months (as recently given as an experience by a colleague), and the 24 month period being pefectly acceptable.

I'm not talking documentation creation, but behavioural safety observed in a potential accreditation scenario, or even just internal audit process of observing workplace practise. I think after trying to introduce 12-15 procedures for key areas covered or over lapping arrangements stated in policy over a 2 year period is a reasonable challenge without over-phasing a workforce too (all things being equal in organisational structure and demands).

I know there's no one size fits all, to be honest the detail has removed me from the original question.

I'm looking for a reference to which old tutor may have used, or perhaps it was just his own experience. I'd be interested to poll this as part of research if needed. 

regards as always

Hi Mark (I think?)

thanks for taking the time to reply. Your response intrigues me more, you haven't heard of the time frame either but similarly give an opinion in your own experience. I'm aware of other standards, only notably in chemical engineering at some point in my final BSc year, but am aware in-house can be developed too.

Just in case I've not read my own responses, I wanted to say at no point have I disagreed with any of the above comments, quite the opposite. I don't imagine a small lower risk environment to need a full 2 years, but I imagine 2 cycles to create and implement (1st year) then monitor, audit and review (2nd year) would be almost common sense. I just want to cite it from a referenced source if possible.

Thanks again

Hi Adale,  I dont think your going to find anything regarding a timescale but the best sopurce would be BSI as OHSAS 18001 is pretty much their concept.  I started working towards 18001 back in 2011 and we even brought in an external expert to help set a system up, we only becam acredited in 2015 as it took a while to implement procedures and bring all departments into line with the system, not to mention additional training for staff.  We did however keep the old HSG65 system running along side the 180001 up until we wnt for and achieved accreditation.

Hope this helps

Brian