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|  | | | | | | | | | | | | | Revision | | The new OHSAS 18001:2007
| | | The new OHSAS 18001:2007 (Occupational Health And Safety Assessment Series; Title: „Occupational health and safety management systems – Requirements“) was officially released in late July 2007. It replaces the previously valid OHSAS 18001:1999. |
| After the release, the British Standards Institution (BSI) immediately issued the status “British Standard” for OHSAS 18001:2007. This new standard (BS OHSAS 18001:2007) is accepted by TGA GmbH (German Association for Accreditation) and will serve as the basis for the accreditation of German certification bodies. OHSAS 18001:2007 and BS OHSAS 18001:2007 are identical.
The revision from OHSAS 18001:1999 to OHSAS 18001:2007 has basically adapted the principles of the similar revision of ISO 14001:1996 to ISO 14001:2004 and results in an almost 100% compatibility of those two standards. However, while ISO 14001:2004 represents a worldwide accepted and valid standard for Environmental Management Systems, OHSAS 18001:2007 still has guideline character for the implementation of Occupational Health and Safety Management Systems, unless it is being introduced as a national standard like in Great Britain. Installing OHSAS 18001:2007 as a British Standard can be seen as an important step on the way to become an ISO or DIN standard in the future. |
What are the main changes, what should you keep in mind?
- Each employee's physical health now has a stronger significance.
- There is a clear distinction between work-related occupational safety of employees and an organization's security in respect to external and economical impacts.
- The term “incident” replaces the term “accident”. This has further consequences regarding the analysis and for preventive and corrective actions (also see No.8).
- Employee's behavioral patterns, their personal skills and so-called other human factors need to be considered when determining and evaluating hazards and the corresponding preventive and corrective actions. In addition, these factors also need to be increasingly considered to raise employees' awareness and in respect to general and specific trainings.
- When determining corrective and preventive actions, a certain hierarchy of protective and corrective actions needs to be followed
- Eliminate hazards
- Replace with lesser distinctive hazards
- Technical protective actions
- Organizational protective actions
- Personal protective actions
- Complying with legal regulations is now a new requirement which will be internally evaluated. (also see ISO 14001:2004).
- A stronger involvement of employees and their input with regards to the Occupational Health and Management System is required.
- The analysis of so-called incidents (i.e. “near accidents”) is required, not only the previously used accident analysis.
- For management evaluations, a total of nine input elements are required (comparable
to ISO 14001).
- More than just a guideline or specification, OHSAS 18001:2007 shall be regarded as the main standard for the implementation of Occupational Health and Safety Management Systems.
- New definitions have been included (23 instead of 17) and existing definitions have been revised to meet the requirements for a modern and preventive occupational safety.
- All relevant risks and hazards for the organization need to be considered with respect to ensuring the occupational and health safety of all employees.
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| There will be a two year transition period for existing certifications according to OHSAS 18001:1999. This period ends on July 1, 2009. All transitions assessments should be finished no later than March 31, 2009 to leave a three-month period for the correction of potential non-conformities and to avoid a period without certificate.
UL DQS offers existing customers to switch to the new BS OHSAS 18001:2007 during the next regular assessment. Based on a delta checklist, the efficient implementation of new requirements will be audited. Similar to an initial assessment, it is important that all new requirements have been efficiently implemented and an internal audit as well as a management evaluation has been carried out before the certificate can be re-issued.
UL DQS currently carries out non-accredited assessments based on BS OHSAS 18001:2007 and therefore issues non-accredited certificates. UL DQS is currently working to be accredited according to BS OHSAS 18001:2007. Until then 18001:2007 assessments are carried out in strong accordance with accreditation requirements, only lacking the final approval by TGA GmbH. |
| Your contact for questions about OHSAS 18001:
Fred Wenke
Product Manager OHSAS 18001
Phone: +49(69)95427-147
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| October 2007
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