An occupational health and safety management system
(OHSMS) is a management system
using the aspects of a quality management system which ensure the achievement of the
occupational health and safety objectives of the organisation. It is a smart way to ensure
that
the OH&S issues in the organisation are managed in an efficient, effective and strategic
way.
The elements which make up an OHSMS have been outlined in several different ways, the
differences reflecting the industry, or types of operations which they aim to manage.
International
At the international level the ISO organised a September 1996 Geneva meeting of the
International Workshop on Occupational Health and Safety Management Systems
Standardization.
The main topic for this meeting was to determine whether there should be an international
standard adopted for OHS Management Systems. As far as can be ascertained consensus
was not reached.
Australia Issues Draft OHSMS Standard
Standards Australia released in August, 1996 a draft Joint Australian & New Zealand
Standard DR 96311: Occupational Health and Safety Management Systems - General
Guidelines on Principles, Systems and Supporting Techniques. At the beginning of 1997
the public comments on this were still being reviewed by Standards Australia Committee
SF/1.
This actually uses the framework of the draft ISO and (now the Australian Interim)
Standards
for Environment Management Systems , and adapts it
for the OHS content.
The text of the draft was not on the Web. No full text Australian Standards
are on the Web, partly because Standards Australia depends on the sale of them for its
income.
Furhter information an be obtained by e-mailing the Standards Australia e-mail
information
centre at - sic@saa.sa.telememo.au
The generic contact is:
Standards Australia, PO Box 1055, Strathfield NSW 2135, Australia; Tel . +612 9746
4700
[Worksafe Australia does have full text of its current National Standards available at
Worksafe. ]
The predominant model for auditing OHSMS, which is promoted by the Victorian Workcover Authority is called SafetyMAP and this is an audit checklist for a general safety
management system which is designed to be compatible with the quality management systems.
For all of these descriptions of systems, the details of the actual implementation need to be
adapted to the particular requirements of the workplace. Some of the factors which can
determine the necessary details are:
size of the enterprise (the number of staff)
industry
processes and activity (including hazards present)
geographic location and spread of the enterprise
stage of organisational development
legislative requirements
Process Safety Management Systems
A more detailed description, designed for major complex industrial process industries has
been developed, initially in the USA and called Process Safety Management Systems
(PSMS). There are several variations or arrangements of the descriptions, but essentially
all
cover the same ground and have essentially the same core elements as their bases.
These have been developed by
- American Petroleum Institute
- Occupational Health and Safety Agency (USA) - OSHA 29 CFR 1910-119
- American Institute of Chemical Engineers
Within the Australian context there is now a National Standard for the Control of Major
Hazard Facilities which will be progressively implemented in Australian states. This
standard requires these major hazard facilities (MHF's) to develop and implement an
effective safety management system.
As guidelines for the development of these, the American models may be used, but the
specific Australian guideline is based on NSW guidelines for Safety Management Systems
which have now been adopted as guidelines by both the national OHS and the national
Land Use Planning bodies.
The Common Features
In all the descriptions there are common features.
Firstly there is a general process which needs to be followed in developing the systems,
which goes something like this:
- Definition of the elements
- Definition of benchmarks, performance criteria
- Development of the system
- Implementation and operation of the system
- System auditing and review.
The Common Elements
Each of the elements requires:
- - a statement of objectives, what they will achieve;
- - systems, documentation and procedures;
- - reference, benchmarks
- -that they be auditable.
The common elements are:
- 1. Statement of policy and objectives
- Outlining the intention and goals of the organisation
- 2. Accountability and responsibility
- Authority and responsibility for implementing aspects of the system defined
- 3. Organisational Structure
- Structure which functions to deliver expertise where it is needed
- 4. Human Factors and Training
- Addresses skills needs analysis, job design, human resource management systems
andskills and knowledge training to improve the performance of people in the production
process. A planned strategic approach and the recording of activity could be linked to
certification of competencies, which inter-links with other formal vocational training.
- 5. Audit and Review
- Regular review and evaluation of the operation of the operating, management and
environmental systems.
- 6. Design & Construction, Change & Modifications ManagementThis addresses the
process of ensuring that the design and construction of new plant and equipment, and
modifications to existing plant is of high quality and does not compromise the integrity of
the safety management system. This would involve hazards review. It would address
variance procedures and other temporary changes.
- 7. Process and Equipment Integrity
- An element directed to ensure the ongoing integrity and safety of the plant and
equipment used on a daily basis. Includes process definition and design criteria, protective
systems, normal and upset conditions and chemical and occupational health hazards. This
includes preventive and routine maintenance and process, hardware and systems
inspections
and testing.
- 8. Regulatory compliance
- A system to identify relevant statutory standards and to ensure compliance.
Supported
by internal standards guidelines and practices which may draw on industry association or
other appropriate sources.
- 9. Risk Identification, Analysis, Assessment and Management
- This system ensures that the risks are identified, assessed, and that appropriate
actions
are taken to control the risks to the pre-determined levels. This would include in-plant
emergency response and mitigation, and process management during emergencies.
- 10. Environmental Management System
- This element aims to ensure that the system of controls and practices to achieve the
environmental standards and objectives is effective. It is spelled out in the EPA
Accredited Licensee Concept Paper.
- 11. Incident Investigation
- A system for the reporting, investigation and follow-up of accidents, incidents, and
"near-hits".
- 12. Environment Improvement Plan
- An element which is based on the need to meet environmental standards, which is
outlined in the EPA Accredited Licensee Concept Paper.
- 13. Knowledge Enhancement
- This comprises internal and external research, predictive systems and reference
library
and data bases aimed at keeping the organisation up to date with the most recent
developments in both technology and management approaches.
SafetyMAP
SafetyMAP (Safety Management Achievement Program) is a system that enables
organisations of all sizes to:
- Assess the scope and effectiveness of their health and safety policies and operations;
- Plan improvements to these operations;
- Develop benchmarking standards;
- Gain recognition of the standards achieved.
SafetyMAP has been developed by the HSOV to present the characteristics of safety
systems that are effective, comprehensive and cost efficient. Using audit criteria, and the
audit methods common to quality porgrams, SafetyMAP provides organisations with a
practical tool to improve their health and safety performance.
SafetyMAP is a proprietary product of Victorian Workcover Authority(VWA) (This
description of SafetyMAP is from the
SafetyMAP manual, Second edition, HSOV, 1995)
The documentation associated with SafetyMap is really an audit checklist, which requires
the enterprise to elaborate the elements to suit their own situation.
SafetyMAP, which is a voluntary scheme, sets out to do several things:
- Promote safe workplaces through health and safety management;
- Reinforce best occupational health and safety practice;
- Integrate health and safety managment into quality management;
- Provide recognition for excellence in health and safety;
- Provide a focus for improvement;
The SafetyMAP elements and criteria provide the framework and principles for a
workplace
system. It does not prescribe how an organisation manages its health and safety. Each of
these elements needs to be elaborated, developed and implemented in specific ways most
appropriate to the size, complexity and nature of operations at each workplace. It is
necessary to seek appropriate professional assistance for this specific development work
from
an organisation such as PEM.
Should an organisation desire it, the VWA offers to certify an organisation, within the
SafetyMAP scheme, in three stages -
- Initial Level,
- Transition Level and
- Advanced Level
Achievement of each of these is measured by compliance with particular criteria of
SafetyMAP, as audited by VWA officers.
PEM OHMS User's Manual
PEM has produced a User's Manual to guide an organisation in establishinng and
maintaining an OHS Management System consistent with the Draft Australian Standard
and SafetyMAP. This is in the same format as PEM's Environment Management System
and Quality Management System User's Manuals, so that the three systems can be easily
integrated for more efficient administration.
Contact PEM for more information.
Updated: May 12, 1997