Occupational Health & Safety is usually practiced to prevent injury and ill-health of employees, and to comply with relevant legislation and standards. The benefits of improved Health & Safety performance of enterprises are generally accepted and can include cost reduction, improved image (especially on the international market), and employee motivation.

Increasing expectations on work safety

With the globalization of world economy, especially with China's entry into WTO, Chinese manufacturers and traders are confronted with new issues, including compliance with health and safety standards presented by the International Labor Organization (ILO). Labor safety and disease prevention are regarded as the legal and moral obligation of the employer.

Additionally, a modern society also promotes the health of employees in the workplace and a comfortable working environment. Therefore, more and more enterprises prepare and implement their own policies and objectives for Occupational Health & Safety.

Typical focus areas for control are:

•  Air quality (e.g. concentration of dust particles,dangerous
　 substances, ventilation)

•  Ambient environmental conditions (e.g. noise, heat, vibrations, lighting,
　 radiation)

•  Handling of objects (e.g. heavy, falling objects or dangerous goods)

•  Personal Protective Equipment

•  Emergency response including fire safety

The road to an OH&S management system

The structure of an occupational health and safety management system is similar to most other management systems and based on a Plan-Do-Check-Act (PDCA) cycle:

•  Identify risks and hazards

•  Identify applicable legal requirements

•  Define objectives and targets

•  Set up control program to achieve the objectives and targets

•  Prepare emergency response plan

•  Verify achievement of objectives and targets

•  Continuous improvement of control program and objectives and targets

The requirements for OH&S management systems are defined in international or local standards such as OHSAS 18001 or GB/T 28001. OHSAS 18001 was developed in line with ISO 14001 to help industries take environmental impacts and occupational risks into the whole scope of their management system to prevent damage to nature and the employees themselves.

A systematic and effective tool

Management systems for Occupational Health and Safety (OH&S MS) have proved to be an effective tool to organize and focus a company's efforts for minimizing work-related hazards where technical improvements and legal surveillance find their limitations. Like other systematic approaches to management, they have contributed to improved business performance. The virtues of OH&S MS are also underlined and reflected by the development of the ILO “Guidelines on occupational safety and health management systems”.

Benefits of a certified OH&S management system

•  Fewer accidents and fewer interruptions of production flow through better
　control of workplace related hazards.

•  Reduced likelihood of occupational disease and better working conditions.
　Consideration of employee needs creates a stable, motivated and highly
　productive workforce.

•  Ensured legal compliance with minimum of administrative effort.

•  Support of sustainable company development by reducing costs caused by
　 accidents and emergencies.

•  Improved company image that boosts international competitiveness.

Be safe with TUV Rheinland – your partner for OHSAS

TUV Rheinland is your competent partner for the certification of OH&S management systems. Safety is at the heart of our company mission and is the focus of many of our services, such as safety testing of consumer goods and industrial installations. Benefit from our vast experience in these fields and from synergies like integrated audits. Give us a call today to arrange a free information meeting!