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Please Note: The views expressed in articles do not necessarily reflect the views of this occupational health safety and welfare forum. Readers acting on advice in articles should consider the applicability to their particular needs and circumstances and implement advice at their own risk.

What is an OHS Management System?

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What are the components of an OHS system?

The range of OHS related activity is infinite. However, the following activities are examples of what will be routinely observed in the workplace.

• System review procedures
• A framework of system reports
• OHS strategic plans
• Objectives, targets and performance indicators for identified programs, policies and procedures.
• Consultation processes, including OHS Committees in medium to large organisations
• OHS training needs analyses and training
• Clear statements of accountability
• Emergency and other contingency planning
• Planned approaches to workplace changes
• Policies and procedures
• Policy & Procedure review schedules
• Hazard, incident and injury reports
• Investigations of incidents and injuries
• Corrective action plans
• Workplace inspections
• Maintenance of risk and other registers
• Job and person specifications and performance management processes incorporating OHS
• Proactive hazard management programs (i.e. identification, assessment, control of risks and evaluation of controls based on the "hierarchy of controls")
• Investigation of incidents, injuries and hazards
• Plant (i.e. equipment) risk assessments
• Various testing and inspection regimes
• Employee Handbooks
• Printed and display materials, signage
• Employee Assistance programs
• Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS)
• Job Safety Analyses
• Contractor management strategies
• Collection and analysis of system data (both qualitative and quantitative)
• Internal and external audit processes

Summary

The concept of an OHS system is simple. The "machinery" of the system in operation is far more complex. If your organisation needs to develop a systematic approach to OHS, start with what you know now (i.e. management review). Without data, you may need to begin on the basis of your "best guess", but be sure to collect relevant information and data as you go. This will tell you whether your best guess is on the mark. Alternatively, and just as useful, monitoring data will suggest areas for improvement in the next planning and implementation phases of the OHS system cycle.

Don't leave workplace safety to "good luck". Real "luck" is where hard work and opportunity intersect.

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