Last Updated on January 17, 2023 by Ossian Muscad
OHSAS 18001 is an internationally recognized occupational health and safety management system standard. It outlines the requirements for organizations to take proactive steps to identify, assess, and manage workplace risks. An OHSAS 18001 audit checklist is a document that can be used as part of an organization’s compliance efforts with this necessary standard.
In this guide, we will provide you with an overview of what an OHSAS 18001 audit checklist entails and how it should be created. We will also discuss the benefits of using OHSAS 18001 audit checklists in your organization’s OH&S management system.
By following these guidelines, you can ensure that your organization meets its obligations under OHSAS 18001 while proactively capturing and addressing workplace safety risks.
What is OHSAS 18001?
The Occupational Health and Safety Assessment Series, or OHSAS 18001, is a standard for international occupational health and safety management. It provides a framework of best practices to help organizations establish, maintain, and improve their OHSAS management systems. Organizations seeking OHSAS certification must demonstrate their commitment by implementing the requirements of OHSAS 18001.
Benefits of Getting Certified
Obtaining an OHSAS 18001 certification brings a wealth of advantages to any organization. These advantages include the following:
Zero Accidents
OHSAS 18001 provides invaluable insights to organizations striving to reduce workplace risks with its comprehensive system for spotting and managing potential health and safety hazards. It also offers tools to manage and control hazards, reducing the risk of workplace accidents.
Enhanced Reputation
Organizations that are certified to OHSAS 18001 can demonstrate their commitment to employee safety, which will help add credibility to their brand and boost public perception. At the same time, it can help them attract corporate partners and clients who seek to work with organizations that prioritize safety.
Legal Compliance
OHSAS 18001 streamlines the process of meeting compliance standards by giving organizations robust frameworks that help to identify, track and fulfill necessary legal, regulatory and contractual obligations. It also helps to ensure that organizations proactively identify and address issues before they become problematic.
Reduce Operational Costs
By avoiding downtime due to accidents and incidents, the costs associated with them are reduced, and you also avoid any costly fines or prosecutions that may come from non-compliance. In addition, since OHSAS 18001 is an internationally recognized standard, its implementation can help organizations reduce the costs associated with operations and liability insurance.
Continuous Improvement
By adhering to the criteria of OHSAS 18001, organizations can progress towards continuous advancement in every area of their operations. At the same time, they can also improve employee morale and productivity by creating and sustaining a culture of safety.
What is an OHSAS 18001 Audit Checklist?
An OHSAS 18001 audit checklist is a tool used to ensure that an organization meets the requirements of OHSAS 18001. Safety officers rely on this checklist to evaluate and validate if an organization’s current occupational health and safety (OH&S) management system are consistent with the OHSAS 18001 standard.
Moreover, this checklist can gauge the organization’s preparedness for third-party certification. By assessing the extent of compliance with OHSAS 18001, companies can identify any weak points in their OH&S management system and take necessary steps to address them.
What To Include in an OHSAS 18001 Audit Checklist?
An OHSAS 18001 audit checklist typically covers seven core elements of the OH&S management system. These include:
- [ ] Policy and Objectives: An organization should have an OH&S policy in place, which is reviewed periodically to ensure it is current and properly implemented. It should also have specified objectives, which are monitored to ensure that they are being achieved.
- [ ] Planning: The organization should execute plans and processes to ensure that the OH&S policy is being met. These plans include risk assessment, hazard identification, emergency planning, and incident management.
- [ ] Implementation and Operation: The organization should implement and operate an OH&S management system. This includes developing procedures, appointing personnel, and providing resources and training to staff members.
- [ ] Checking and Corrective Action: The organization should regularly review OH&S performance to ensure it’s up to standard. This includes conducting OHSAS audits, inspections, and incident investigations.
- [ ] Management Review: The organization should review OH&S performance periodically to evaluate objectives and strategic plans. This includes evaluating the OH&S management system as a whole.
- [ ] Certification: The organization should have a third-party certification body to validate performance and compliance with OH&S standards.
- [ ] Documentation: The organization should maintain proper documentation to demonstrate performance and compliance with OH&S standards.
How To Create an OHSAS 18001 Audit Checklist?
Creating an OHSAS audit checklist is a straightforward process that requires careful planning and organization. Here are a few steps to get started:
- Research and Become Familiar with the OHSAS 18001 Standard: It is essential to familiarize yourself with the OH&S standards and requirements outlined in OHSAS 18001. This will help you identify what needs to be included in your OHSAS audit checklist.
- Develop an Outline for Your Checklist: After you’ve reviewed the OHSAS 18001 standard, you can begin to develop an outline for your OHSAS audit checklist. This should include the seven core elements mentioned earlier and any additional OH&S elements relevant to your organization.
- Create the Checklist: Once you’ve created an outline, you can develop the OHSAS audit checklist. This involves specifying OH&S policies, procedures, and elements that must be included in the OH&S management system. Implement and
- Monitor the Checklist: Once you’ve created the OHSAS audit checklist, it is essential to ensure that OH&S policies and procedures are being properly implemented. This involves monitoring and ensuring the OH&S management system is up-to-date and compliant with OHSAS 18001 standards.
By following these steps, you can create a comprehensive OHSAS 18001 audit checklist that will help ensure the safety and protection of your staff. In addition, an OH&S audit checklist can help identify and address potential safety risks before they become an issue.
Create OHSAS 18001 Audit Checklists Using a Low-Code Platform
If you’re going to be creating OHSAS 18001 audit checklists, it can be helpful to use a low-code platform. Low-code platforms like DATAMYTE make the process of creating OHSAS audit checklists as efficient as possible. Its Digital Clipboard software has the ideal tools that will help with checklist creation and implementation quickly, easily, and conveniently.
The DataMyte Digital Clipboard is a low-code software automation software with a checklist builder. With this tool, you can create a comprehensive OHSAS 18001 audit checklist with all the necessary elements and requirements.
With its drag-and-drop interface, you can quickly and easily build the necessary checklist. In addition, its automated tools will help streamline your audit process, allowing you to easily and quickly update and monitor OH&S performance.
DATAMYTE also lets you conduct layered process audits, an advanced method enabling you to assess every layer of your OH&S management system. This can help ensure that any potential risks are addressed in a timely manner.
With DATAMYTE, you have a complete solution for creating and implementing OHSAS 18001 audit checklists. Book a demo with us today to learn more about how DATAMYTE can help you with the OH&S audit process.
Conclusion
Creating an OHSAS 18001 audit checklist is essential for maintaining a safe work environment. Therefore, it is important to have a comprehensive checklist that includes all of the necessary elements and requirements. Using a low-code platform like DATAMYTE, you can quickly and easily create an OHSAS audit checklist to help ensure your compliance with OHSAS 18001. Get started today!
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