1. THE APPLICATION OF
OHSAS 18001
AT WORKPLACE
By
Sharifah Rohana Syed Ibrahim
2. OHSAS 18001 (or Occupational Health and Safety Assessment Series 18001) is
a management system designed with international standards that helps institutions
controlled their occupational health and safety threats for better performance.
The history in brief:
Year 96’ : British Standards Industry (BSI) introduced the first OHSAS
standard in 1999 - BSI 8800 provided guidelines for the current
version;
Year 99’ : The specification outlines the prerequisites for any occupational
health and safety management system, which aids an institution
to enhance performance;
Year 2007: Updated to better align with ISO 14001 focusing in health.
3. OHSAS 18001 was developed with the guidance of the following
national standard bureaus and certification bodies:
I. British Standards Institution
II. Bureau Veritas Quality International
III. Det Norske Veritas
IV. International Certification Services
V. International Safety Management Organization
VI. Lloyds Register Quality Assurance
VII. National Quality Assurance
VIII. National Standards Authority of Ireland
IX. SFS Certification
X. SGS Yarsley International Certification Services
XI. South African Bureau of Standards
XII. Standards and Industry Research Institute of Standards Australia
4. Many organizations decide to implement OHSAS 18001 and
obtain registration because it assures employees, customers,
shareholders, suppliers, regulators and the community at large
that the company has an internationally recognized
Occupational Health and Safety Management System
(OHSMS) in place.
When an organization conforms to OHSAS 18001, it ensures
that all people directly or indirectly involved with the company
are exposed to a minimum number of risks. A third party
certification ensures that effective steps have been put in
place to avoid accidents and unsafe situations.
Below are ten (10) examples of the application of OHSAS
18001 towards working practices.
5. LIFTING OPERATIONS Identified Hazards
(Risks Indicator *) : - 4.3.1 : Hazards Identification, Risk assessment &
Mechanical Failure (M) determine controls
Dropped Object (H)
* Risks Indicator:
Rigging Competence (M) H – High (Severe)
Crane Operator Competence (M) M – Medium (Severe)
Poor Lifting Planning (M) L – Low (Likelihood)
Poor Supervision (L)
4.1: General Requirements 4.3.3: Objectives and Program(s)
4.3.2 Legal & other requirements Proposed Risk Control (4.3.1)
4.4.6: Operational Controls
(i)Lifting Operations Manual (4.4.6) (i) Competency Proposed
(ii) Guidelines for Crane Operators (4.4.6) Assessment : Crane Target for
Operator/Banks men/ Completion/
(iii) Crane Inspection Record (4.4.5)
Roustabout (4.4.1) Frequency:
(iv) COP for Safe Used of Cranes (4.4.6) (ii) Certification according
(v) Lifting equipment inspection Record to API standards for Competency
(4.4.5)
Crane and LOLER-98 for assessment is to
(vi) Crane Operator/Rigging & Slinging rigging & slinging be done annually.
Training Matrix & Competency Record activities (4.3.2)
& Data (4.4.1 & 2) (iii) Crane Operator Training Certification prior
(vii) Proper PPE & Toolbox talk meeting (iv) Rigging & Slinging to recruitment
(4.4.3) Training (4.4.2) and training once
4.4.1 : Resources, roles, accountability & authority (v) Leadership Training in 2 years.
4.4.2 : Competence, Training and Awareness (4.4.2)
4.4.3 : Communication participation and consultation
4.4.4 : Documentation
4.4.5 : Control of documents
6. Working at height
Hazards Identified: - 4.3.1 : Hazards Identification, Risk assessment &
determine controls
Personal injury (H)
Accidents (H) Risks Indicator:
H – High (Severe)
Property damage (M) M – Medium (Severe)
L – Low (Likelihood)
4.1: General Requirements Proposed Risk Control
4.3.2 Legal & other requirements 4.3.3: Objectives and Program(s)
4.4.6: Operational Controls
• Elimination (CCTV at location , re-design or • Working at Proposed
avoid working at height (4.4.6); height training Target for
•Built guardrails; (4.4.6) (4.4.2) Completion/
• Enforcement to comply • Rescue at Frequency:
with Reg 12, FMA 1970 (4.3.2 & 4.4.3) & height training
• Fall Protection Systems (PPE, full harness, etc) (4.4.2) Competency
(4.4.6) • Scaffolding assessment
. Travel fall restraint (mitigate distance) (4.4.6); training (4.4.2) is to be done
• Rescue plan (dealing with trauma, etc). (4.4.2 & 6) • Competency annually.
• Equipment inspection record (4.4.5)
Assessment
•Qualified supervision (work instructions) (4.4.1) Training is to
programs be done on
4.4.1 : Resources, roles, accountability & authority (4.4.1)
4.4.2 : Competence, Training and Awareness
the job and
4.4.3 : Communication participation and consultation annually.
4.4.4 : Documentation
4.4.5 : Control of documents
7. Equipment Damaged
4.3.1 : Hazards Identification, Risk assessment &
Hazards Identified: - determine controls
Personal injury (H) Risks Indicator:
Explosion (H) H – High (Severe)
Fire (H) M – Medium (Severe)
L – Low (Likelihood)
Gas dispersion (H)
4.1: General Requirements Proposed Risk Control (4.3.1) 4.3.3: Objectives and Program(s)
4.3.2 Legal & other requirements
4.4.6: Operational Controls
Proposed
• Preventive Maintenance Record (4.4.4); Target for
• Inspection Record (4.4.4); • Process Safety Completion/
• Process Safety Manuals (4.4.4); Training (4.4.2); Frequency:
• Equipment guidelines (4.4.3 and 4.4.4);
• Emergency Preparedness Manuals (4.4.4.) • Emergency Training,
Response once in two
years for
Preparedness
4.4.1 : Resources, roles, accountability & authority Process
4.4.2 : Competence, Training and Awareness Training (4.4.2) Safety.
4.4.3 : Communication participation and consultation
4.4.4 : Documentation
4.4.5 : Control of documents For ERP, to
do on the job
training
(drill) &
annually.
8. Loading and Unloading Hazards Identified: -
Equipment damage (H)
Personal injury (H) 4.3.1 : Hazards Identification, Risk assessment &
Environmental damage (M) determine controls
Explosion (H) Risks Indicator:
Fire (H) H – High (Severe)
M – Medium (Severe)
Spillage (H)
L – Low (Likelihood)
Gas dispersion (H)
4.1: General Requirements Proposed Risk Control (4.3.1) 4.3.3: Objectives and Program(s)
4.3.2 Legal & other requirements
4.4.6: Operational Controls
Proposed
• Transportation, transfer and handling manuals (4.4.4); • Defensive Target for
• Risk assessment and lifting plan (4.4.6); Driving Training Completion/
• Provide restrictions , full time escort during (4.4.2) Frequency:
movement & signage; (4.4.3); • Rigging and
• Competent driver with valid license (4.3.2 & 4.4.1); Slinging Training Competency
• Emergency Response Preparedness (4.4.7) (4.4.2) assessment
• Competency is to be done
Assessment annually.
4.4.1 : Resources, roles, accountability & authority
4.4.2 : Competence, Training and Awareness
programs
4.4.3 : Communication participation and consultation (4.4.1) Training is to
4.4.4 : Documentation be done on
4.4.5 : Control of documents
4.4.7 : Emergency Response Preparedness
the job and
annually.
9. Hazards Identified: -
Working in Confined Space • Hazardous atmosphere: -
Displaces oxygen (H)
Toxic caused suffocation, lung & eye 4.3.1 : Hazards Identification, Risk assessment &
irritant. Extremely toxic caused lung determine controls
failure (H);
Fire & explosion (H) Risks Indicator:
• Physical hazards: - H – High (Severe)
Trapped (H) M – Medium (Severe)
Slip, trip and fall (H) L – Low (Likelihood)
Falling objects (H)
Electrical Shocks (H)
Poor visibility (H)
Temperature extremes (H)
Noise (H);
Risk of drowning. (H)
4.1: General Requirements 4.3.3: Objectives and Program(s)
4.3.2 Legal & other requirements
4.4.6: Operational Controls
Proposed Risk Control (4.3.1)
• Regulation compliance ICOP AESP (4.3.2); • Authorized Entrant & Proposed
• Permit To Work System (4.4.4) Standby Person for Confined Target for
• Must possess Competency Card (both entrant & Space Training (4.4.2);
supervisor) (4.3.2) • Authorized Gas Tester Completion/
• Safe working practice (ventilation, cleaning before entry procedures, check size (4.4.2); Frequency:
of the entrance, etc) (4.4.4 & 4.4.6); • Confined Space Rescue
• Gas testing by Authorized Gas Tester (4.3.2 & 4.4.1 & 2); Training (4.4.2);
• Competency Assessment
Competency
• Provision of breathing apparatus, rescue harnesses (4.4.7)
• Emergency Response Preparedness (4.4.7); (4.4.1) assessment is
• Communication system (walkie talkie) (4.4.6); to be done
• Capabilities of rescuers (4.4.1); annually.
4.4.1 : Resources, roles, accountability & authority Training is to
4.4.2 : Competence, Training and Awareness be done once
4.4.3 : Communication participation and consultation in 2 years
4.4.4 : Documentation
4.4.5 : Control of documents
4.4.7 : Emergency Response Preparedness
10. Hazards Identified: -
Gas Testing Work • Gas tester equipment malfunction (H);
• Hazardous atmosphere: -
Displaces oxygen (H) 4.3.1 : Hazards Identification, Risk assessment &
Toxic caused suffocation, lung & eye determine controls
irritant. Extremely toxic caused lung
failure (H); Risks Indicator:
Fire & explosion (H) H – High (Severe)
• Physical hazards: - M – Medium (Severe)
Trapped (H) L – Low (Likelihood)
Slip, trip and fall (H)
Falling objects (H)
Electrical Shocks (H)
Poor visibility (H)
Temperature extremes (H)
Noise (H);
Risk of drowning. (H)
4.1: General Requirements 4.3.3: Objectives and Program(s)
4.3.2 Legal & other requirements
4.4.6: Operational Controls Proposed Risk Control (4.3.1)
• Regulation compliance (4.3.2); • Authorized Entrant & Proposed
• Must possess AGT license from DOSH (4.3.2); Standby Person for Confined Target for
• Gas Testing Equipment user guidelines (4.4.4) Space Training (4.4.2);
• Permit To Work System (4.4.4) • Authorized Gas Tester Completion/
• Safe working practice (full PPE) (4.4.6) (4.4.2); Frequency:
• Provision of breathing apparatus, rescue harnesses (4.4.7) • Confined Space Rescue
• Emergency Response Preparedness (4.4.7); Training (4.4.2);
• Competency Assessment
Competency
• Communication system (walkie talkie) (4.4.6);
• Capabilities of rescuers (4.4.1); (4.4.1) assessment is
to be done
annually.
4.4.1 : Resources, roles, accountability & authority
4.4.2 : Competence, Training and Awareness Training is to
4.4.3 : Communication participation and consultation
be done once
4.4.4 : Documentation
4.4.5 : Control of documents in 2 years
4.4.7 : Emergency Response Preparedness
11. Work at Desk/Office Work
Hazards Identified: - 4.3.1 : Hazards Identification, Risk assessment &
• Eyestrain and eye irritation (visual determine controls
problems) (M);
•Back pain (M) Risks Indicator:
•Slip, trip and falls (M)
H – High (Severe)
• Office temperature & humidity (L)
• Noise and/or vibration (L); M – Medium (Severe)
•Electrical hazards (L). L – Low (Likelihood)
4.1: General Requirements Proposed Risk Control (4.3.1)
4.3.2 Legal & other requirements 4.3.3: Objectives and Program(s)
4.4.6: Operational Controls
• Manual handling plans (4.4.4); Proposed
• Quality of light inspection (4.4.6); Target for
• Plan for a layout design that can control noise • Ergonomics Awareness Completion/
Program (4.4.2); Frequency:
(noise privacy) (4.4.6);
• Air quality assessment (4.3.2 & 4.4.6); •Indoor Air Quality Test
(4.4.5) Training once
in 2 years
4.4.1 : Resources, roles, accountability & authority Air quality test
4.4.2 : Competence, Training and Awareness once in 2 years
4.4.3 : Communication participation and consultation
4.4.4 : Documentation
4.4.5 : Control of documents
4.4.7 : Emergency Response Preparedness
12. Warehouse Safety
Hazards Identified: - 4.3.1 : Hazards Identification, Risk assessment &
• Trip, Slips and Falls (H); determine controls
•Hit by a falling object (H);
•Fall from height (H); Risks Indicator:
•Manual handling injury (H);
H – High (Severe)
•Accident involving a fork lift truck (H);
•Exposure to hazardous substances (H). M – Medium (Severe)
L – Low (Likelihood)
4.1: General Requirements Proposed Risk Control (4.3.1)
4.3.2 Legal & other requirements 4.3.3: Objectives and Program(s)
4.4.6: Operational Controls
• Avoid working at height (comply to Reg 12,FMA) (4.3.2) • Immediate and weekly Proposed
housekeeping program Target for
•Proper storage of materials in warehouse (4.4.6);
(4.4.2);
•Housekeeping Record (4.4.6); Completion/
• Safety walkabout record (4.4.1 and 5); •Forklift & Warehouse Frequency:
• Full PPE (4.4.1); Safety Training (4.4.2);
• Competent Forklift Driver (4.4.1); Training once
• Materials inventory record (4.4.5); •Competency Assessment in 2 years
for Forklift Driver (4.4.1)
•Manual Handling Manuals (comply to The Manual
Handling Operations Regulations 2002)(4.3.2) Competency
•Rigging & Slinging Training
• Hazardous Substances Manual Handling (4.3.2) (4.4.2) Assessment
once a year.
•Dangerous Good Handling
4.4.1 : Resources, roles, accountability & authority Training(4.3.2 & 4.4.2)
4.4.2 : Competence, Training and Awareness
4.4.3 : Communication participation and consultation
4.4.4 : Documentation
4.4.5 : Control of documents
4.4.7 : Emergency Response Preparedness
13. Working with hands Hazards identified:
•Burns to the hands (H); 4.3.1 : Hazards Identification, Risk assessment &
•Irritate skin (chemicals substances) (H); determine controls
•tetanus and hepatitis C are infections
that can be transmitted through hand Risks Indicator:
wounds (H); H – High (Severe)
•Strains and sprains (H); M – Medium (Severe)
•Cuts & wounds (H). L – Low (Likelihood)
Your hands and fingers turn numb at minus 15oC,
which can increase the risk of accidents.
4.1: General Requirements
4.3.2 Legal & other requirements 4.3.3: Objectives and Program(s)
4.4.6: Operational Controls
Proposed Risk Control (4.3.1)
• Use gloves appropriate for the job and temperature;
• Before hands become too cold, take time to warm them up;
• Hand and fingers Proposed
• Chemicals containers correctly labelled and understandable; injury prevention Target for
•Wash well with soap and warm water or use special cleansers; program (4.4.2); Completion/
• Don't wipe your hands with chemically contaminated rags. Frequency:
• Use barrier creams ; • Safety alert is shared
•Use safe handling techniques; upon incidents (4.4.3) Every quarterly
• Always obtain first aid for every injury, no matter how minor;
•Beware of broken floors and torn or curled rugs or mats.
of the year (for
•Use handrails on stairs. training)
•Never jump down from a platform, scaffold, loading dock or other
height. For safety
•Use ladders properly for climbing. alerts (upon
•When moving heavy or bulky things, use a lifting device or ask for help incidents)
4.4.1 : Resources, roles, accountability & authority
4.4.2 : Competence, Training and Awareness
4.4.3 : Communication participation and consultation
4.4.4 : Documentation
4.4.5 : Control of documents
4.4.7 : Emergency Response Preparedness
14. Infection & Disease
4.3.1 : Hazards Identification, Risk assessment &
Hazards Identified: - determine controls
• Outbreaks and endemic disease (H); Risks Indicator:
• Health effects (H);
H – High (Severe)
•Death (H).
M – Medium (Severe)
L – Low (Likelihood)
4.1: General Requirements Proposed Risk Control (4.3.1)
4.3.2 Legal & other requirements 4.3.3: Objectives and Program(s)
4.4.6: Operational Controls
• Random Epidemiological investigations and studies •Identify sources of Proposed
(4.4.6); infection by: - Target for
• Quantitative microbial risk assessment (4.4.6); (i) Initial collection of Completion/
• Exposure assessment; the case; Frequency:
• Dose-response assessment (4.4.6); (ii) Transport of case
• Isolation plan (4.4.7); from initial Immediately
• Emergency Response Plans (Crisis Management) 4.4.7; collections points; until zero risks
• Ventilation (4.4.6); (iii) Storage of case achieved.
• Full PPE (4.4.6). (isolation);
(iv) Hygienic
treatment, such as
4.4.1 : Resources, roles, accountability & authority cleaning,
4.4.2 : Competence, Training and Awareness
4.4.3 : Communication participation and consultation
disinfection, etc;
4.4.4 : Documentation (4.4.1, 4 and 5);
4.4.5 : Control of documents • Awareness training
4.4.7 : Emergency Response Preparedness (4.4.2)