Friday 13 May 2011

ISO 18001 Improves Worker Environmental Safety

By Yolanda Hartford


Even with the most stringent precautions, work-related accidents can still occur. Whenever they do, the ripple effect becomes evident throughout a business. There may be fines, lost work time and production, compensatory awards, and the resulting mistrust of employees, and sometimes even potential customers. It becomes absolutely necessary to both design and implement a workable health and safety management system. ISO 18001 has been created to credibly assist any workplace needing further help with current company controls.

This regulatory system promotes standardized safety procedures within any workplace organization. It helps companies reduce the need for forcibly enacted legislative controls, and reduces the potential for accidents ultimately leading to a decline in overall performance. Rather than simply generating more bureaucracy, implementation of these regulations usually has a very positive effect in the workplace.

Proven benefits include fewer accident-related employee absences, and a reduced risk of being slapped with citations or penalties. The cost for company insurance premiums may be sharply reduced due to the new procedures and policies, and can be a boost to a corporations public image. Gaining and maintaining a good health and safety record can also generate a better business-to-business reputation, and may increase interaction.

The basic requirements must be met, however, in order to cope with any potential problems that may accompany a current assessment and health management system. Finding exactly what these requirements are can often be accomplished either by hiring a specially focused consulting firm, or by promoting internal training leading which can lead to official certification. When ultimately in place, property damage is often reduced by those requirements, and compensation claims usually drop.

Regardless of a company's size, the International Standard For Quality Management Systems can help spell out new internal regulations. Occupational risks and hazards are controlled and identified within a basic framework. Even when a company has a basic set of regulations in place, it may still qualify for help eliminating any danger to employees that still remains.

Business-related fatalities have remained almost constant statistically for the past few years in the United Kingdom. Further reduction of that figure requires real-life controls, notably in any workplace not yet conforming to the rules of relevant legislation. Specific training is the key to practical implementation of all safety and health practices not yet in compliance.

Relevant answers to workplace standards questions are provided to employees undertaking such training. Training also gives students the knowledge and the skills that help to implement environmental guidelines on every level, including those assessments made internally, and recommendations that are submitted by outside evaluators. Completion of that training means certification in ISO 18001 processes and requirements.

Certification also means that both management and employees will thoroughly understand the business advantages to improving conditions based on the recommendations of a health and safety management system. Both groups will also be aware of the logical process approach to implementation, and how to conform with the requirements of an audit. When in place, a firm in compliance with ISO 18001 will often see a decrease in safety-related incidents, including illness-related claims and company legal liability, and that will positively affect the yearly financial report.




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