In company practice and in governmental legislation, it is increasingly acknowledged

that occupational safety and health (OSH) management should be performed systematically
and continually. Implementing an OSH Management System (OSH MS) is the major strategy
to achieve this.

What are occupational safety and health management systems?

Occupational safety and health (OSH) problems were initially perceived as mainly
technical problems that required technical solutions. Later, organisational issues were
recognised as being important, and more recently, human factors, behavioural and
organisational culture issues have been identified as being important.

The increasing awareness of problems and solutions has been mirrored by the
development of management practices. Initially, management of OSH focused on technical
inspections, with the later inclusion of organisational, human factors and behavioural issues.
Today, it is broadly acknowledged that all these factors are important and the management
of OSH requires an integrated approach.

The five basic characteristics of any occupational safety and health managements
systems are:

1. It includes all components of OSH that are relevant to the members of the
organisation and the business process.
2. In principle, its functions are: (1) to increase the effectiveness of OSH management;
(2) to guarantee compliance with existing legislation; and (3) to improve OSH
performance. The OSH MS objectives are to be defined by the organisation and may
include ethical, economic, legal and organisational goals. Not all OSH MS have similar
objectives.
3. It is a holistic approach, specifying and requiring implementation of a series of
elements and (positive) interactions between them.
4. It has provisions for system maintenance and continuity. The functioning of an OHS
MS is evaluated on a regular basis (through OSH audits). A periodic review of its
objectives and effectiveness is necessary to ensure continuous improvement.
5. Its outputs (OSH performance) are important to the evaluation of the management
system.
Reasons for implementing an occupational safety and health management system

There are several reasons why organisations might want to implement an OSH MS. The main
reasons are:

 to systemise OSH Management;

 to optimise prevention;
 to improve OSH performance;
 to reduce possible future liabilities;
 to assure compliance with legislative requirements;
 to create organisational benefits, whether economic or other;
 to show that the organisation cares for its employees and is a good employer;
 to benefit from regular external feedback from third party auditors;
 to reduce the likelihood of inspection by the labour inspectorate;
 to demonstrate to customers and external stakeholders that an OSH MS is in place;
 to be transparent about the company’s corporate social responsibilities.

What makes a successful system?

A successful system is part of an operation, as important as the other things you do to
succeed in. Successful safety and health systems have the following practices in place:
I. Managers committed to making the program work
Put as much energy into your commitment to safety and health as you put into any other
important part of your business. Make sure to include workplace safety and health in your
business plan and integrate it into all facets of the business.
 Write a policy that emphasizes the importance of workplace safety and health.
 Commit the resources (time, money, personnel) needed to protect employees.
 Begin meetings with a safety topic.
 Encourage employee participation in safety and health.
 Let employees know they will be expected to follow safe work practices.
 Respond to all reports of unsafe or unhealthy conditions or work practices.
 If injuries or illnesses occur, find out why. Go beyond the regulations; address all hazards,
whether or not they are covered by laws.

II. Involve employees

In a safe and healthy workplace, employees have a stake in the success of the program --
- safety and health is everyone's responsibility. Actively encourage employee involvement if
you want your program to succeed. Hold people accountable and makes sure everyone does
their part.

 Establish an active workplace safety and health safety committee.

 Make daily safety inspections part of some employees' jobs.
  Keep employees informed about safety inspections, injury and illness statistics, and
other safety-related issues.
 Give everyone a meaningful activity that supports safety.
 Value employee input and feedback. Employees often know more about safety
problems and solutions than managers do.
 Make sure employees help review and improve the program.
 Hold employees accountable

III. Identify and control hazards

Before you can control hazards you need to know what the hazards are. Here are some
ways to identify safety and health hazards:

 Review records of accidents, injuries, illnesses, and close calls

 review OSHA logs, first aid logs, workers' compensation reports, complaints, and
close calls
 Survey employees
 Review inspection reports from enforcement inspections, insurance surveys, or
consultations.
 Inspect your workplace for safety and health problems, current and potential.

IV. Comply with regulations

Employers must identify the OSHA regulations that apply in their workplaces and comply
with them. SafetyWorks! classes and consultations can help with this.

 Develop required programs

V. Training on safe work practices.

Train personnel about the hazards they may be exposed to at work and how to protect
themselves. Keep records of all training. Provide:

 General safety orientation for new employees and employees starting new jobs,
including company safety regulations and emergency procedures.
 Specific training on the hazards of their jobs and how to do their jobs safely. (Many
OSHA standards include specific training requirements)
 Retraining
VI. Mutual respect, caring and open communication in a climate conducive to safety.

Workers hold safety as a value; they actively care about themselves and others. Mutual
respect is the norm.

 Establish effective two-way communication. Respond to the needs and concerns of

workers.
 Make sure management goes beyond the regulations to ensure a safe workplace.
 Encourage workers to go "beyond the call of duty" to ensure a safe workplace.
 Support a work environment that fosters trust, creativity, and general well-being.
 Celebrate your success with SHARP or other recognition programs.

VII. Continuous improvement .

 Use OSHA's Safety and Health Program Assessment Worksheet to find out how you're
doing.
 Review annually and as needed
 Investigate accidents, injuries, illnesses and close calls as they occur.
 Conduct frequent (daily, weekly as needed) inspections of specific equipment and
processes.
 Evaluate your injury and illness statistics
 Document all your safety efforts.
 Change analysis: Review new and changed processes, materials, facilities and
equipment for hazards
 Ensure hazard correction systems are in place and working
 Evaluate effectiveness of training
 Listen to your staff: Do employees know the hazards of their jobs and how to work
safely? Are managers enforcing safe work practices and praising safe behavior?