Capable Blog (Business Process Quality Improvements) :: OHSAS 18001:2007

In July 2007 BSI formally published and issued BS OHSAS 18001:2007. The nature of the changes are not fundamental, however there are some, and there are also implications for registered organisations and auditors alike

Transition to the revised standard for registered organisations
There will be a two year transition period, starting 1st July 2007

Summary of revisions
The importance of "health" has been given greater emphasis
BS OHSAS 18001:2007 can now be referred to as a standard, rather than a specification
New definitions have been added, old definitions have been revised
Improved alignment and compatibility with ISO 9001 and ISO 14001
The term "tolerable risk" has been replaced with the term "acceptable risk"
The term "accident" has been included in the term "incident"
The definition of the term "hazard" no longer makes reference to the damage to property, workplace or environment
Sub-clauses 4.3.3 and 4.3.4 have been merged (objectives and management program) in line with ISO 14001
A new requirement to consider the hierarchy of controls as part of the OH&S planning process has been introduced
Management of change is now more specifically addressed within clauses 4.3.1 & 4.4.6
A new requirement "Evaluation of Compliance (4.5.2)" has been introduced
Requirements for consultation and participation have been expanded
A new requirement "Incident Investigation (4.5.3.1)" has been introduced

Overall, and at first site, the revision does seem to constitute a significant improvement, both in content and user friendliness. Obviously time will tell, but early signs are positive

Auditor CPD transition requirements
Auditors wishing to update their skills and knowledge, particularly with regard to the IRCA OHS Auditor Certification Scheme should complete a minimum 4 hour structured workshop and complete an appropriate number of audits to the BS OHSAS 18001:2007 standard

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Keywords: 18001, transition, 18000, changes, ohsas, 2007, ohs, Training, standards, safety, process, preventive, preventative, policy, organisation, objectives, Management, IRCA, improvement, health, hazardous, audit

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Re: OHSAS 18001:2007 - a heads up on the major changes

by 99percentchimp on Thu 29 Nov 2007 08:50 PM GMT | Profile | Permanent Link

4.5.3 – Incident investigation, nonconformity, corrective action and preventive action with its own specific requirements.

Indicates that an incident is not the same as a nonconformity.

Can you elaborate on what you would classify as an incident and what you would classify as a nonconformity?

Re: Re: OHSAS 18001:2007 - a heads up on the major changes

by Anonymous on Thu 29 Nov 2007 10:09 PM GMT | Permanent Link

It's the definition. Quote:

"Incident: work related event(s) which has given rise to injury, ill health or fatality

Note 1: An accident in which no ill health, injury or fatality occurs may also be referred to as a near miss, near hit, close call or dangerous occurrence

Note 2: An emergency situation (4.4.7) is a particular type of incident"

BS OHSAS 18001:2007

In a recent post a referred to the excellent article The Cult of the Black Swan. That inferred that not everything in life was predictable. My interpretation would be that a non-conformity would be a result of a failure in the management system resulting in an OHS problem, ("non-conformity - non-fulfilment of a requirement" BS OHSAS 18001:2007) whereas an incident, whilst still potentially requiring corrective action, may not necessarily result from a management system failure, but from an unforeseen event for example

Although I do accept that the two may well be mutually exclusive in a certain circumstances, they are not necessarily so

Hope this helps

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