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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.

ISO 45001 Clause 8.1.3 - OHSMS Management of change

ISO 45001 Clause 8.1.3 is a critical component of the Occupational Health and Safety Management System (OHSMS). This clause focuses on the management of change within the organization, ensuring that changes are planned, controlled, and assessed for their impact on occupational health and safety (OH&S). Here are the key aspects of this clause:

1. General Requirements:
• The clause emphasizes the importance of establishing, implementing, and maintaining processes for the management of change within the OHSMS.
• These processes are designed to identify, assess, and manage the potential OH&S impacts of changes in the organization, including changes in processes, activities, products, and services.
2. Identification of Changes:
• Organizations must have mechanisms in place to identify and document changes that may impact OH&S.
• This includes changes in personnel, procedures, equipment, materials, facilities, technology, and organizational structure.
3. Assessment of OH&S Impacts:
• Changes are to be assessed for their potential OH&S impacts, considering factors such as new risks, alterations to existing risks, and impacts on the effectiveness of control measures.
4. Involvement of Workers:
• Workers, who often have valuable insights into the day-to-day operations, should be actively involved in the process of identifying and assessing changes.
• Their input is crucial for a comprehensive understanding of potential impacts on OH&S.
5. Communication and Consultation:
• The organization must establish effective communication and consultation processes to keep relevant stakeholders informed about planned changes and to seek their input.
• This includes communication with workers, contractors, and other parties affected by the change.
6. Preventive and Protective Measures:
• When potential OH&S impacts are identified, the organization must implement preventive and protective measures to control risks and ensure the health and safety of workers.
7. Training and Competence:
• Adequate training and competence development programs should be in place to ensure that workers are equipped to handle the changes safely.
8. Documentation:
• Comprehensive documentation of the management of change process, including the identification, assessment, and implementation of preventive measures, should be maintained.

ISO 45001 Clause 8.1.3 underscores the importance of a systematic approach to managing change within an organization, with a specific focus on minimizing OH&S risks. By considering the potential impacts of changes and involving workers in the process, organizations can proactively address health and safety concerns and maintain the effectiveness of their OHSMS.