Occupational Health and Safety Management Systems

Abstract

Managing occupational health and safety (OHandS) hazards and risk has traditionally been driven by governmental regulations, often referred to as command-and-control approaches. This chapter provides an introduction to OH&S management system (OHSMS) concepts, principles, and frameworks. It presents an overview of the International Organization for Standardization’s (ISO) OHSMS, ISO 45001:2018, along with several other legacy approaches. A systems approach integrates individual programs within the business operations and the external environment and is thus more comprehensive than any single program. In 1996, ISO considered the development of an OHSMS standard. While the ILO was performing these background efforts, two developments occurred. First, ISO elected for a second time to not develop an ISO OHSMS. Second, in Britain, the British Standards Institute published OHSAS 18001:1999, which followed the structure of ISO 14001:1996. These two pieces-leadership and worker participation-are historically considered linchpins of the OHSMS approach. All OHSMS approaches include top management leadership and commitment requirements; 45001 continue this.