Ohsas 18001: offering all-round protection
June 1st 2008 Companies wanting to
protect their
employees and reduce
the possibility of
falling foul of the
Corporate Manslaughter and
Corporate Homicide Act
should implement a health
and safety management
system such as OHSAS
18001:2007, according to
Keith Stanton, UK sales
manager for certification
body NQA.
He says "Being able to
show that a system is in
place and due diligence has
been undertaken can be
helpful in protecting a
company if the worst
happens."
One of the benefits
claimed for a system such
as OHSAS 18001:2007 is
that it encourages
participation not only from
the company's employees,
but from self-employed
workers and subcontractors.
Health and safety is no
longer just the remit of the
health and safety manager
or senior management;
accountability is moved
down the chain of
command, ensuring that it
is of prime importance at
all levels of the company's
structure. The health and
safety policy must be
communicated to everyone
in the organisation, even
those who do not have
direct responsibility. More articles from NICEIC: | 
