Study identifies key ingredients for successful OSH management systems

Two new reports from the Agency on OSH management and recognition schemes

A new study from the European Agency for Safety and Health at Work, entitled The use of occupational safety and health management systems in the Member States of the European Union (http://agency.osha.eu.int/publications/reports/307/en/index.htm) has identified the five building blocks for an effective occupational safety and health (OSH) management system. Illustrated by case studies, the five ingredients include:
> Obtaining the support and involvement of all stakeholders: This is vital for an organisation-wide sense of accountability, responsibility and authority. Management must be fully committed to the initiative and provide the necessary resources. At the same time, employees need to participate in the programme from the outset, either directly or via representative bodies, such as safety committees.
> Setting measurable goals, following a baseline hazard assessment: A risk assessment needs to be conducted to identify existing and potential problem areas. Quantifiable and practically achievable goals to improve OSH standards also have to be set. These can range from illness and injury rates, possibly benchmarked against enterprises in the same sector, to measures of the workforce's general health and well-being.
> Focusing on staff safety when implementing the system: The health and safety of staff should be centre stage, supported by training and appropriately qualified OSH personnel. Clearly documented and well-publicised OSH management procedures are equally important, including preventive measures to protect staff and hazard control systems to reduce the impact of any unexpected problems. Procuring goods and services that conform to the organisation's safety standards is also advisable.
> Communicating progress and 'room for improvement': An OSH audit system is needed to monitor safety and health and investigate and analyse the root causes of any accidents. The results, together with other OSH-related information, should be regularly communicated across the organisation to foster an OSH culture.
> Working towards continual improvement: Regular management reviews of the system are required in order to identify areas where it can be improved, especially if there are major organisation changes. It is essential that the system is integrated into every facet of the business, including linking it to existing management systems, such as ISO9002.
"In many cases we found that organisations had several of these ingredients for success, but not all of them," comments Hans-Horst Konkolewsky, the Agency's director. "Our study highlights the need to have all these in place and integrated across the organisation to be truly effective and protect the safety and health of employees."
"The employer has a responsibility to prevent and control occupational health and safety risks that may arise in relation with the company's activities and those performed by its employees," adds Natascha Waltke of the European Employers Association, UNICE. "The European Agency for Safety and Health at Work has compiled examples about how some companies address this particular issue. There is much benefit in adopting a systematic OSH management approach. This can help companies to ensure a high level of protection of their workforce and is likely to improve overall performance. But there is no 'one-size-fits-all' formula in this field. OSH management approaches must be tailored to the organisation's needs and circumstances."
In another new publication in the Agency's Forum series, Recognition schemes in occupational health and safety - Experiences in the Member States of the European Union (http://agency.osha.eu.int/publications/forum/6/en/index.htm) the Agency looks at different types of these schemes and how to make them more widespread. With recognition schemes, groups of organisations voluntarily agree to conform to certain OSH good practices, entitling them either to incorporate a 'kite mark' or other symbol on their products or services or to be included in a database of quality suppliers, for instance.
Three types of schemes are discussed, supported by case studies: one for products, another for contractors and the third for OSH management in general. There's also general background on recognition schemes and their potential advantages.
FURTHER INFORMATION:
Press contact: Siobhan Savage, European Agency for Safety and Health at Work, Tel: [phone] or [phone] email: [e-mail] Other enquiries: European Agency for Safety and Health at Work, Gran Via 33, E-48009 Bilbao, Spain, email: [e-mail], fax: [phone]. The European Agency for Safety and Health at Work was set up by the European Union to help meet the information needs in the field of occupational safety and health. Based in Bilbao, Spain, the Agency aims to improve the lives of people at work by stimulating the flow of technical, scientific and economic information between all those involved in occupational safety and health issues.
2. All publications are available on the Agency's website at http://agency.osha.eu.int. They can also be ordered from the EC's publication office EUR-OP in Luxembourg (http://eur-op.eu.int/) or from its sales agents. The use of occupational safety and health management systems in the Member States of the European Union. Available in English only Cat No: TE-42-02-480-EN-C Price: 7 (summary fact sheet 26 available in all 11 Community languages Cat.No.: TE-02-02-006-(XX)-D). Recognition schemes in occupational safety and health (Forum 6. available in English, French, German and Spanish) Cat.No.: TE-AD-01-006- (XX)-C. An online working paper Recognition schemes in occupational safety and health will shortly be available on the Agency web site.

Countries

Spain