Inevitably, there is risk in the workplace, regardless of the industry, whether we like it or not. However how businesses mitigate risk, can make the all the difference when it comes to protecting the health, safety and well-being of employees. OHSAS 18001 has been around for 20 years, and it has taken almost that long for countries around the world to agree on what ‘Best Practice’ is when it comes to managing health and safety in the workplace.
The long-awaited standard, includes contribution from 70 participating national bodies, and covers all the requirements of a Health and Safety Management System. Why is this is this standard so important then?
Well you only need to look at national (UK) and international Health and Safety work related injury statistics to demonstrate that an international standard to support global improvement in health and safety preventing work-related injuries and deaths is long overdue. Here are some of the facts:-
(source*: International Labour Organisation)
Needless to say, business in the UK and overseas have still got a long way in terms of health and safety.