OHSAS 18001 was created through a concerted effort from a number of the worlds leading national standards bodies, certification bodies, and consultancies to address the need for a unified standard for occupational health and safety (OH&S).

The standard builds on a number of previous specifications including BS8800:1996, Guide to occupational health and safety management systems;Technical Report NPR 5001:1997, Guide to an occupational health and safety management systems; SGS & ISMOL ISA 2000:1997, Requirements for Safety and Health Management Systems; DNV Standard for Certification of Occupational Health and Safety Management Systems (OHSMS):1997; Draft NSAI SR 320, Recommendation for an Occupational Health and Safety (OH&S) Management System; UNE 81900 series of pre-standards on the Prevention of occupational risks; and several others.

OHSAS 18001 has been developed to be compatible with the ISO 9001 (Quality) and ISO 14001 (Environmental) management systems standards, in order to facilitate the integration of quality, environmental and occupational health and safety management systems for organizations desiring to do so.

The OHSAS specification gives requirements for an occupational health and safety (OH&S) management system, to enable an organization to control its OH&S risks and improve its performance. It does not state specific OH&S performance criteria, nor does it give detailed specifications for the design of a management system.

OHSAS 18001 is applicable to any organization that wishes to:

• Establish an OH&S management system to eliminate or minimize occupational risk for employees and other “interested parties.”
• Implement, maintain and continually improve an OH&S management system
• Assure conformance to stated OH&S policy
• Demonstrate such conformance to others
• Seek certification/registration of its OH&S management system by an external organization
• Make a self-determination and declaration of conformance with the OHSAS spec.

At RH ANDERSEN we have been involved with the implementation and quality assurance of occupational health and safety standards for more than 15 years. We can help you implement or update your safety programs, train staff and assist in integrating your OHSAS system with your current ISO 9001:2000 and/or ISO 14001 quality management system.

Don't have the time, staff or desire to audit your occupational health and safety system (OH&S)?

Let an RH ANDERSEN's  "Team ISO" consultant  perform your internal audits for you!

Note, 12/2007: OSHA Has been very active, of late, in auditing manufacturing companies for compliance with applicable safety laws - Don't get caught off guard by an OSHA "Spot Check" ...The fines could be steep, and once they've flagged you as nonconforming, they will be back for another look!

Call today for your free quality consultation:   

(203) 500-8706