A Comprehensive Guide for AS NZS 4801 Safety Management Systems

If you need to know every important aspect regarding AS NZS 4801 Safety Standard, then this article is a “must read” for you. Explore vital issues about the implementation of this standard.

The AS NZS 4801:2001 standard specifies the requirements relevant to the health and safety management system in Australia and New Zealand. Regardless of the size and sector, any organization can adopt this standard. No one can deny the importance of health and safety in the workplace. An Occupational Health and Safety Management System (OHSMS) is required to secure your organization and your employees. This standard demands a framework that will enable you to identify and control your health and safety. It will reduce the possibilities and accidents and help you ensure your organization’s compliance with the relevant law and regulation regarding health and safety in Australia and New Zealand. Let’s have a quick glimpse of the scope to get a clear insight into AS NZS 4801 Safety Management Systems.

Scope

This standard helps an organization to adhere to the legislative requirements and safety hazard issues by formulating relevant policies and objectives. It applies to the particular risks over which your organization can exercise control. You are allowed to apply this standard to the safety issues that may have a severe impact on your organization. All the requirements set out by this safety standard can be integrated into any OHSMS. Every organization, eager to adopt this standard, should develop and implement an effective Occupational Health Management system of OHS. As the ISO 9001 Certification is based on the requirement of a Quality Management System or QMS, AS NZS 4801:2001 is centered on this OHS.

Which Organizations should Consider the Standard?

Since AS NZS 48001 is designed to address the staff and workplace safety, any organization having no safety measurement or need improvement over the existing one can adopt this particular standard. Every day you will find the news of workplace accidents. Every year, millions of people are losing the lives due to workplace accidents across the globe. As per a recent survey, almost 2,596 workers have lost their lives while working in Australia. Hence, it is important for the Australian companies, regardless of their size and business functions, to consider an effective safety management system that can reduce the risk factors associated with organizational health and safety. AS NZS 48001 Standard offers a formal approach to mitigate the risks that can cause workplace accidents.

Benefits of AS/NZS 4801

AS/NZS Safety standard has come up with a bunch of benefits for your organization. Let’s have a quick look at them-

• Workplace Safety

An ideal occupational health and risk management system will help you detect the safety hazards, evaluate the risks, and put the essential risk control measures in the right place to mitigate the chances of accidents. AS NZS 4801 Safety Management Systems help your organization to hold control over issues that can lead the organization to workplace accidents.

• Stakeholders’ Preference

An OHSMS, monitored by an independent certification body can help you win the confidence of your potential stakeholders. It lets them know that your organization has met all the required regulatory requirements and ensured the safety. Most of the stakeholders prefer working with an organization that pays special attention to the safety issues. The stakeholders consider this kind of organizations as a safe one where the chances of financial risks caused by workplace accidents are minimal.

• Morale

Implementation of AS/NZS 4801 demonstrates how committed your organization is to maintain the safety of your employees. It makes your organization an ideal place for the employees to work with. This standard is the sign of a motivated, efficacious, and productive work environment that can appeal to potential and talented people and encourage them to join your organization.

• Reduced Costs

More is the number of accidents at the workplace; more will be the downtime. By reducing the number of accidents, you will be able to reduce the costly downtime. It is a great tool for boosting the productivity as well.

• Training

An OHSMS helps you determine whether your employees are competent for the task they are assigned or not. It requires regular assessment that will let you know where you need improvement and for which areas your employees need the training to be competent.

Requirements of AS NZS 4801

If you want to achieve this certification, you need to fulfill all the requirements suggested by the guidelines designed for AS/NZS 4801:

A. Scope of the Safety Management System- You need to state what is the scope of the OHSMS within the structure of your organization

B. OHS Policy- You should come up with a policy to address certain issues, such as-

• The nature and scale of your organization’s occupational health and safety risks
• Measurable business objectives and goals to maintain the continuous progress and improvement
• Compliance with the relevant OHS regulations
• Documentation of implementation, maintenance, and communication to the employees
• Periodical review to ensure the relevancy of the OHSMS

C. Planning- You are expected to document your planning for the health and safety management system properly. An appropriate presentation of your planning through documentation increases your chances of achieving the certification.

D. Implementation- You should demonstrate how you have successfully implemented the standard within your business structure.

E. Compliance and Regular Monitoring- It is also imperative to show that your organization is compliant with the legal regulations and you have been maintaining the efficiency of the standard by performing assessments on a regular basis.

This is all you need to know about AS/NZS 4801 standard. To ensure the safety of your business and employees, you must consider the standard.