NEBOSH International General Certificate
in Occupational Safety and Health
IGC1
Element 2: How Health and Safety
Management Systems Work and What
They Look Like
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Learning Objectives
• Give an overview of the elements of an
occupational health and safety management
system and the benefits of having a
formal/certified system.
• Discuss the main ingredients of a OHSMS that
make it effective – policy, responsibilities,
arrangements.
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2.1: Occupational Health and Safety
Management Systems
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Introduction to OHSMSs
The PDCA cycle:
• Plan – what you’re going to do.
• Do – it!
• Check – that what you’re doing is working.
• Act – if what you’re doing could be improved.
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ILO-OSH 2001: The ILO OHSMS
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ILO-OSH 2001: The ILO OHSMS
• Policy
‒ Clear statement of commitment to health and safety.
• Organising
‒ Roles and responsibilities for health and safety.
‒ At all levels in the organisation.
• Planning and implementing
‒ Detailed arrangements to manage H&S.
‒ Risk assessments!
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ILO-OSH 2001: The ILO OHSMS
• Evaluation
‒ Methods to monitor and review the effectiveness of the
arrangements.
• Audit
‒ Independent, critical and systematic review of the management
system.
• Action for improvement
‒ Steps to correct issues found in the review.
• Continual improvement
‒ The SMS will develop over time.
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ISO 45001: The OHSMS Standard
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ISO 45001: Benefits
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Element 2.2
Making the Management System Work –
The Health and Safety Policy
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Introduction to Health and Safety Policies
An important document:
• The foundation stone for good
health and safety management
in an organisation.
• Sets out the organisation’s aims.
• Identifies who is responsible for achieving these aims.
• States how the aims are to be achieved.
• Specific to each organisation’s requirements.
(Not to be confused with ‘Policy’ in the H&S
management system model.)
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Standards and Guidance
Article 14
ILO Recommendation R164
Requires employers to set down in writing, policy and
arrangements for health and safety management:
• Where circumstances warrant it.
• In a readily-understood language or medium.
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The Three Parts of a H&S Policy
1. Statement of Intent
‒ What is going to be done.
2. Organisation
‒ Who is going to do it.
3. Arrangements
‒ How they're going to do it.
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General Statement of Intent
• Setting overall aims and objectives.
• Complying with law.
• Achieving standards.
• Reminds workers at all levels of their
responsibilities.
• Signed and dated by the most senior person.
• Regular review.
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Setting SMART Objectives
• Specific – clearly defined, precise.
• Measurable – towards a target, quantified.
• Achievable – it can be done.
• Reasonable – within timescale, and resources.
• Time-bound – deadline, timescale.
e.g. ‘review all 48 risk assessments
within a 12-month period’.
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Setting SMART Objectives
It will be important to consider:
• Who is going to set the objectives.
• How objectives will be set at each functional level.
• Legal and other requirements.
• Hazards and risks.
• Technological options.
• Financial, operational and business requirements.
• Views of interested parties.
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Organisational Roles and Responsibilities
• Outlines the chain of command for health and safety
management.
• Identifies the roles and responsibilities of staff.
• Usually includes an organisational chart relating to
health and safety.
• Shows lines of communication and feedback.
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Organisational Roles and Responsibilities
Health and Safety Organisation Chart
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Organisational Roles and Responsibilities
Defines responsibilities for:
• The CEO or MD – ultimately responsible and accountable.
• Management – responsible for day-to-day management.
• All employees – responsible for acting safely.
• Competent persons – first aiders, fire marshals, etc.
• Specialist health and safety practitioners – responsible for
providing advice to support management and employees.
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Arrangements
• Describes how things are done.
• Detailed description of policies
and procedures.
• Usually a long document.
• Often separate from the policy document.
• Unique to each organisation
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Arrangements
General topics:
• Carrying out risk assessments.
• Information, instruction and training.
• Accident and near-miss reporting, recording and investigation.
• Consultation with workers.
• Developing safe systems of work.
• Welfare and first-aid provision.
• Fire safety and prevention.
• Emergency procedures.
• Compliance monitoring, including auditing.
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Arrangements
Specific Risks and Problems
• Lone working.
• Noise-exposure control.
• Vibration-exposure control.
• Control of exposure to toxic materials.
• Control of crowds.
• Control of transport risks.
• Specific health surveillance requirements.
• Waste disposal.
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H&S Policies
How can a policy be effectively communicated?
When should it be reviewed?
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Reviewing Policy
Changes in:
• Key personnel. • Following an incident.
• Management structure. • As a result of enforcement
• Processes. action.
• Technology. • After an audit.
• Legislation. • After worker consultation.
• Passage of time, e.g. Annually.
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