Occupational Health and Safety Management Systems
In all countries technological progress and competitive pressures are associated with rapid changes in working conditions, work processes and organization. In responding to the challenge of these new occupational health and safety risks, legislation is important but is insufficient on its own. Management strategies that monitor working conditions and dynamically respond to the occupational risks are required, and this systematic approach may be termed an occupational health and safety management system.
In 2001 the ILO published important new guidelines for a management system, with the goals:
At the national level, the guidelines should:
- be used to establish a national framework for OSH management systems, preferably supported by national laws and regulations;
- provide guidance for the development of voluntary arrangements to strengthen compliance with regulations and standards leading to continual improvement in OSH performance; and
- provide guidance on the development of both national and tailored guidelines on OSH management systems to respond appropriately to the real needs of organizations, according to their size and the nature of their activities.
At the level of the organization, the guidelines are intended to:
- provide guidance regarding the integration of OSH management elements in the organization as a component of policy and management arrangements; and
- motivate all members of the organization, particularly employers, owners, managerial staff, workers and their representatives, in applying appropriate OSH management principles and methods to continually improve OSH performance.
"Guidelines on Occupational Safety and Health Management Systems" (ILO-OSH 2001).
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