ISO 45001 Clause 6.
Planning is a crucial process for defining your objectives and determining the necessary actions to achieve the desired outcomes of your Occupational Health and Safety (OH&S) management system. Through effective planning, you make informed decisions on how to allocate your resources to enhance OH&S, while also prioritizing specific actions. Without a well-thought-out plan, you leave your OH&S outcomes to chance, which is not advisable. Planning is instrumental in proactive risk management, allowing you to address potential issues before they escalate into incidents.
When strategizing for a successful OH&S management system, which includes establishing your OH&S objectives, it is essential to consider the following key factors:
- Identification of hazards to workers and the associated OH&S risks.
- Exploration of opportunities to enhance OH&S performance.
- Evaluation of risks to the effectiveness of your organization’s OH&S management system.
- Assessment of opportunities for improving your OH&S management system.
- Adherence to legal requirements and other OH&S-related obligations.
These considerations are often influenced by your organization’s unique context, the expectations and needs of your workforce and other stakeholders, as well as the scope of your management system. Before finalizing your OH&S objectives, thorough planning is required to outline the actions necessary to address identified risks, opportunities, and legal requirements.
Furthermore, during the planning phase, if you intend to introduce changes within your organization, processes, or practices, it is imperative to assess whether these changes may introduce new risks or opportunities. It is essential to thoroughly evaluate and consider these factors before implementing any alterations.
This section guides you through the step-by-step process required to effectively plan and execute your OH&S management system, ensuring that you proactively address risks and leverage opportunities for continuous improvement.
Understanding the Essence of Planning in ISO 45001 Planning
Planning in OH&S is not a mere formality; it is the linchpin for improvement and risk mitigation. It is about proactively identifying hazards, seizing opportunities for enhancement, and addressing legal obligations. Without a robust plan, organisations leave their workers’ safety to luck, a gamble no responsible entity should ever take.
Hazard identification and assessment of risks and opportunities
Hazard Identification: Unearthing Hidden Risks
The cornerstone of OH&S planning is hazard identification. But what does this mean in the context of ISO 45001 Clause 6, and why is it crucial? Hazard identification involves recognizing and comprehending potential dangers within an organisation’s work activities. While some hazards might be glaringly apparent, others lurk beneath the surface, waiting to strike when least expected.
Hazards can stem from various sources, categorized as physical, chemical, biological, psychosocial, mechanical, or organisational. From working at great heights to dealing with toxic chemicals or navigating a stressful work environment, each poses its own set of risks. Thus, the need for meticulous assessment is paramount.
Systematic Approaches for Hazard Identification
Systematic approaches help organisations pinpoint potential hazards effectively. The first step is to scrutinize work processes, both routine and non-routine. This involves contemplating hazards at every step, including materials, products, waste management, workplace layout, equipment usage, organisational aspects, psychosocial factors, and leadership dynamics.
Worker input is invaluable in hazard identification. Engaging employees in discussions regarding potential hazards helps gather valuable insights. Process documentation can also serve as a valuable tool. Breaking down tasks and questioning their safety implications can be a potent method for spotting hazards.
Assessment of OH&S Risks: Calculating the Risk Landscape
Identifying hazards is one thing; assessing the associated risks is another. The assessment involves evaluating the potential consequences, their severity, and the likelihood of occurrence. This process enables organisations to gauge the level of risk, whether it is low, medium, or high.
While the goal is risk elimination, it is not always feasible. In such cases, organisations must assess and prioritise risks. This prioritisation depends on the probability and severity of potential harm, in conjunction with the appliance of the hierarchy of control.
A well-defined assessment, that includes a review of current risk-related outputs, can guide organisations in deciding which risks to tackle first.
Common risk-related outputs from health & safety management are.
- Risk assessment review
- Incident investigation analysis
- Absence management analysis
- Audit and inspection results
- Legal & other requirements
It is best practice to involve workers from all levels of the organisation and it is essential that an OH&S competent person is available, all through the process, to advise and guide (some risks are not necessarily readily identifiable. Managing risks and risk assessment at work – Overview -HSE
Considering Risks to the OH&S Management System
It is not just worker safety that is at stake; the OH&S management system itself can face internal and external risks. Changes in the organisational context or external factors can influence the system’s effectiveness. Identifying these risks is vital to safeguard the integrity of the OH&S management system.
Assessment of OH&S opportunities and other opportunities for the OH&S management system
Unearthing Opportunities for Improvement
Planning in ISO 45001 Clause 6 is not solely about risk mitigation; it is also about seizing opportunities for enhancement. OH&S opportunities encompass changes or activities, whether internal or external, that have the potential to boost OH&S performance. By capitalizing on these opportunities, organisations can protect workers better and enhance their overall effectiveness.
Strategies for Identifying and Assessing Opportunities
Identifying and assessing OH&S opportunities involves keeping an eye on emerging management system insights, learning from the experiences of other organisations, adapting to changes within the organisation, and actively involving workers in the process. This collaborative approach fosters a culture of continuous improvement.
Determination of legal requirements and other requirements
Determination of Legal and Other Requirements: Navigating the Compliance Landscape
To ensure a comprehensive plan, organisations must consider legal requirements and other obligations. Legal requirements encompass national, regional, or international legislation, directives, orders, permits, and more. Comprehending these obligations is essential for OH&S planning.
Additionally, organisations must recognize “other requirements” set by themselves or interested parties like customers, workers, or regulatory bodies. These may include contractual conditions, agreements, standards, technical specifications, and more. The key is to stay informed and regularly update OH&S plans to align with these obligations. Health and safety at work: criminal and civil law – HSE
Planning Action
Planning Action: Bridging the Gap Between Goals and Reality
Once hazards, risks, opportunities, and obligations are identified, record them, encourage consultation and participation and then it is time to plan the actions needed to address them. This phase allows organisations to prioritise resources and timelines effectively. It also ensures that objectives are realistic, achievable, and integrated with the broader organisational goals.
OH&S objectives and planning to achieve them
Setting OH&S Objectives: A Roadmap to Success
OH&S objectives are the guiding stars that illuminate the path toward improved safety. Clause 6.2.1 OH&S objectives is very explicit as to what must be included in objectives and what outputs they should achieve.
“The organization shall establish OH&S objectives at relevant functions and levels in order to maintain and continually improve the OH&S management system and OH&S performance (see 10.3). The OH&S objectives shall:
a) be consistent with the OH&S policy;
b) be measurable (if practicable) or capable of performance evaluation;
c) take into account:
1) applicable requirements;
2) the results of the assessment of risks and opportunities (see 6.1.2.2 and 6.1.2.3);
3) the results of consultation with workers (see 5.4) and, where they exist, workers’ representatives;
d) be monitored;
e) be communicated;
f) be updated as appropriate.”
BSI ISO 45001:2018 The British Standards Institution 2018
Deployment of ISO 45001 Clause 6 and Continuous Improvement
Effective planning requires not only setting objectives but also outlining the actions, responsibilities, and resources necessary to achieve those goals. Regular monitoring and evaluation of the effectiveness of these actions are crucial. Plans must remain flexible to adapt to changing circumstances, ensuring a dynamic and ever improving OH&S management system.
Summary
In the world of OH&S, meticulous planning is the compass that leads organisations toward safer, healthier workplaces. It is a journey that demands vigilance, engagement, and a commitment to continuous improvement. In the end, it is a journey worth taking for the well-being of workers and the success of organisations alike. ISO 45001 Clause 6 sets out a simple logical process by interlinking all of the clause elements that in turn interrelate with all of the other elements of an ISO 45001 OH&S management system.
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