OHSAS 18001 Certification in South Africa

OHSAS 18001 Certification in South Africa – The internationally accepted Standard for Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) Management Systems is OHSAS 18001:2007.A framework for managing occupational safety and health hazards inside an organization holistically is provided by the 18001:2007 Standard. The goal of OHSAS 18001 is to help enterprises improve workplace safety, no matter how big or complex.With the help of the 18001:2007 Standard, businesses may show their dedication to creating a secure and productive workplace. The 18001:2007 Standard aids in detecting, assessing, and managing OHS hazards through the use of preventative measures. The goal of OHSAS 18001 is to consistently reduce the risk of occupational hazards at work, which raises production levels within the organization.

OHSAS 18001 Certification process in South Africa:

Become acquainted with the Standard: Get a copy of the OHSAS 18001 in South Africa standard and familiarize yourself with its specifications. A standards organization or certifying body may sell you the standard.

Install a Management System for Health and Safety: In compliance with OHSAS 18001 regulations, design and execute a complete occupational health and safety management system. This system should address health and safety threats in your firm by incorporating controls, risk assessments, policies, and procedures.

Gap Evaluation: To determine the areas where your current system conforms with OHSAS 18001 Certification in South Africa and those that require improvement, perform a gap analysis. Point out any inconsistencies and potential improvement areas.

Activate the Certifying Authority: Speak with a certified body that has been accredited and is authorized to carry out OHSAS 18001 examinations. To guarantee the legitimacy of the Certification procedure, pick a recognized and approved Certification authority.

Phase One Audit: Usually, a Stage 1 audit precedes the Certification procedure. The certifying body examines your documentation during this audit and notes any material gaps or non-conformities.

Remedial Actions: Resolve any gaps and non-conformities found in the Stage 1 audit.

Phase Two Audit: A more thorough assessment of your health and safety management system is done during the Stage 2 audit. The Certification body will evaluate how well your system is implemented and whether it complies with OHSAS 18001.

Benefits of OHSAS 18001 Certification in South Africa:

Boost your image. Even if it’s possible that your contracts don’t call for an OHSAS, clients are frequently pleased to learn that a supplier has outstanding oversight over health and safety concerns at their place of employment. This may mean that customers will be considerably less likely to experience delays in acquiring goods or services as a result of accidents or injuries that can halt production just as much as they damage workers. In certain regions, a company’s ability to demonstrate that it has an operational OH&SMS might actually result in lower fines because it shows that it cares about both legal noncompliance and injury prevention.

Maintain compliance: It seems apparent that you could satisfy every legal obligation for occupational health and safety that you are aware of, but how can you be certain that you have? The primary advantage of putting in place an OHSAS 18001 Certification in South Africa for your business is that it will give you the frameworks you need to recognize, track, and adhere to all the various legal, regulatory, and contractual obligations that are relevant to the operations of your business. The system exists to assist you in keeping up your compliance. This will assist the business in avoiding staff injuries as well as expensive non-compliance fines.

Boost procedures: OHSAS 18001 Certification in South Africa includes continuous improvement as a fundamental component, which can help your company enhance and improve its organizational procedures. Employee participation in process improvements will result in savings on resources and labor costs in addition to improvements in health and safety.

Decrease in employee turnover: Your employees won’t want to quit if you are known as an employer who is concerned about the safety of workers and their surroundings. In this instance, they will not only gain from a secure atmosphere, but they will also make their workplace safer. One of your most valuable assets is well-trained staff, therefore there could be significant cost savings here. After all, keeping happy and productive staff is significantly less expensive than hiring and training new hires.

OHSAS 18001 Audit Process in South Africa:

Planning an Audit: The process of auditing starts with planning. The organization works with the selected auditing team or Certification body to establish the goals, objectives, and audit plan. This involves deciding which sections of the organization’s OHSMS will be audited as well as the audit timetable.

Review of Documentation (Stage 1 Audit): The initial stage of the OHSAS 18001 Audit in South Africa involves reviewing the organization’s OHSMS documentation. Auditors assess the organization’s compliance with OHSAS 18001 by examining documents such as records, risk assessments, policies, procedures, and other relevant materials to identify potential issues or discrepancies.

Stage 2 Audit, or On-Site Audit: An on-site assessment is the second step of the audit. Auditors come to the organization’s location to assess how well the OHSMS is being implemented in practice. In this stage, they conduct staff interviews, watch procedures in action, and contrast the recorded protocols with the actual conditions on the job site. The audit team will determine areas of compliance and non-compliance as well as evaluate the OHSMS’s efficacy.

Results of the Audit and Non-Conformities: The audit team will note all findings, including any non-conformities, as they are discovered during the audit. Situations in which an organization’s OHSMS fails to satisfy OHSAS 18001 in South Africa requirements are known as non-conformities. These difficulties, which could be small or large, must be noted and shared with the organization.

Finding areas for development, guaranteeing compliance, and obtaining or retaining OHSAS 18001 Certification all depend on this procedure.

How much does OHSAS 18001 cost in South Africa:

OHSAS 18001 cost in South Africa can vary greatly depending on a number of factors, such as the organization’s size, the complexity of its operations, the Certification body of choice, and the extent of the Certification process. These factors include the organization’s size, geographic location, auditor expenses, training and awareness, and follow-up audits.

What companies are eligible for OHSAS 18001 Certification in South Africa?

Companies of all sizes, from startups to multinational conglomerates, can utilize OHSAS 18001 and ISO 45001 Certification in South Africa. This Certification is not limited to any particular sector or industry. In both the public and private domains, organizations in South Africa can seek ISO 45001 or OHSAS 18001 Certification. This includes private companies, non-profits, and governmental entities.

OHSAS 18001 Certification in South Africa are adaptable to a wide range of industries, including manufacturing, construction, healthcare, education, retail, transportation, and more. Their flexibility allows businesses to tailor the standard to meet the specific needs of their industry.

For businesses with international operations in South Africa, OHSAS 18001 and ISO 45001, being globally recognized standards, provide an opportunity to obtain Certification. These standards create a consistent worldwide framework for managing health and safety issues.

To be eligible for OHSAS 18001 implementation in South Africa, an organization must demonstrate its unwavering commitment to the health and safety of its stakeholders, including employees. This commitment involves the development of risk assessments, health and safety policies, and the implementation of preventive measures to reduce accidents and injuries.

How to get an OHSAS 18001 Consultant in South Africa ?

OHSAS 18001 Consultants in South Africa –  Working with a respectable Certification organization or a management system Consultant can help you achieve OHSAS 18001 Certification in South Africa or anywhere else. The steps to obtain OHSAS 18001 Certification are as follows.If you choose to engage a Consultant, get in touch with a South Africa OHSAS Consultant. They can offer advice on the OHSAS 18001 Certification process, including documentation, implementation, and audit preparation, after you discuss your particular needs.It can be advantageous to collaborate with a recognized management system Consultant, such as B2Bcert, who can offer knowledge and direction all through the Certification process.