System Guides

ISO 45001 Clause 8.1.2 - OHSMS Eliminating hazards and reducing OH&S risks

ISO 45001 Clause 8.1.2, titled "OHSMS Eliminating Hazards and Reducing OH&S Risks," is a crucial element of the Occupational Health and Safety Management System (OHSMS) standard. This clause focuses on the organization's responsibility to systematically eliminate hazards and reduce occupational health and safety (OH&S) risks. Here's an explanation of the key elements of Clause 8.1.2:

1. General Requirements: Clause 8.1.2 establishes the fundamental requirement for the organization to have processes in place for the elimination of hazards and the reduction of OH&S risks. This is a core component of the OHSMS, as it directly contributes to the prevention of work-related injuries and ill health.

2. Hierarchy of Control: The organization must adopt a hierarchy of control measures to manage OH&S risks. This hierarchy typically includes the following steps, ranked from most effective to least effective:

• Elimination: Physically remove the hazard or substitute it with something less hazardous.

• Substitution: Replace the hazard with a less hazardous alternative.

• Engineering Controls: Implement physical changes or modifications to processes or equipment to isolate workers from the hazard.

• Administrative Controls: Develop policies, procedures, and work practices to minimize exposure to the hazard.

• Personal Protective Equipment (PPE): As a last resort, provide PPE to workers to protect them from the hazard.

3. Hierarchy Implementation: The organization should prioritize the use of control measures in the hierarchy based on their effectiveness. The goal is to eliminate hazards where possible and, when elimination is not feasible, to implement controls that provide the highest level of protection.

4. Change Management: Whenever changes occur in the organization's processes, operations, or activities, there should be a robust change management process in place. This process ensures that changes are assessed for their impact on OH&S risks and that appropriate controls are implemented.

5. Emergency Situations: The organization should consider the specific OH&S risks associated with emergency situations, such as fires, natural disasters, or chemical spills. Emergency response plans and control measures should be established to protect workers in these scenarios.

6. Monitoring and Measurement: The effectiveness of hazard elimination and risk reduction measures should be monitored, measured, and evaluated regularly. This includes conducting inspections, audits, incident investigations, and performance assessments.

7. Documentation: Comprehensive records should be maintained to demonstrate compliance with Clause 8.1.2. This includes records of hazard assessments, risk reduction measures, change management activities, emergency response plans, and monitoring results.

ISO 45001 Clause 8.1.2 underscores the organization's commitment to eliminating hazards and minimizing OH&S risks through a systematic and structured approach. By adopting the hierarchy of control measures and integrating risk reduction into its processes and decision-making, the organization can create a safer work environment and protect the health and safety of its workers.