Introduction to OHSAS 18001:2007 for Occupational Health and Safety Management

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Workplace safety is more than a legal obligation-it’s a fundamental responsibility that organizations owe to their employees. Every year, millions of workers worldwide suffer from occupational injuries, illnesses, and even fatalities. To address these challenges systematically, OHSAS 18001:2007 emerged as a widely recognized framework for occupational health and safety management. While it has since been replaced by ISO 45001, understanding OHSAS 18001 remains valuable for professionals in food safety and quality management who often work with integrated management systems.

Table of Contents

What is OHSAS 18001:2007?

OHSAS 18001 stands for Occupational Health and Safety Assessment Series 18001. It was an internationally recognized standard that provided a framework for organizations to manage their occupational health and safety (OH&S) risks and improve their overall safety performance. The standard was designed to help organizations eliminate or minimize risks to employees, contractors, visitors, and any other individuals who might be exposed to workplace hazards.

An occupational health and safety management system (OHSMS) based on this standard comprises the policies, processes, plans, practices, and records that define how an organization addresses workplace health and safety. Since every organization faces unique hazards and legal requirements, the OHSMS must be tailored to fit specific business operations while following the structured guidelines provided by OHSAS 18001.

History and development

Before OHSAS 18001 existed, organizations faced a fragmented landscape of national and proprietary standards. This created confusion and undermined the credibility of individual safety management approaches. Recognizing the need for a unified international standard, a collaboration called the OHSAS Project Group was formed, comprising representatives from national standards bodies, academic institutions, accreditation bodies, certification bodies, and occupational health and safety institutions. The British Standards Institution (BSI) served as the secretariat for this initiative.

The OHSAS Project Group published the first version of the standard, OHSAS 18001:1999, in March 1999. This was accompanied by OHSAS 18002, which provided implementation guidelines. The series was updated in July 2007, incorporating guidance from the International Labour Organization (ILO) and various national standards. This 2007 revision became the definitive version, known as BS OHSAS 18001:2007.

Purpose and scope

The primary goal of OHSAS 18001:2007 is to reduce occupational injuries and diseases while promoting and protecting physical and mental health in the workplace. The standard applies to all types and sizes of organizations that wish to establish an OH&S management system to eliminate or minimize risks to personnel and other interested parties exposed to OH&S hazards.

Organizations implementing OHSAS 18001 can use it to demonstrate conformity with their stated OH&S policy through self-declaration, third-party confirmation, or formal certification by an external body. The standard was drafted in accordance with ISO/IEC Directives, ensuring alignment with other management system standards developed by ISO.

Key elements of OHSAS 18001:2007

The standard is organized into several main clauses that outline the requirements for an effective OHSMS. These elements work together to create a comprehensive approach to managing workplace safety.

General requirements (Clause 4.1)

This foundational clause requires organizations to define and document the scope of their OH&S management system. Before developing the system, organizations need to determine the risks requiring management and where efforts should be concentrated. This may involve conducting an initial review to identify risks to employees, visitors, contractors, and suppliers, as well as understanding applicable regulations and current performance levels.

OH&S policy (Clause 4.2)

An OH&S policy must be authorized to state the organization’s objectives and its commitment to continual improvement. This policy serves as the foundation for all subsequent planning and implementation activities, communicating leadership’s dedication to protecting worker health and safety.

Planning (Clause 4.3)

The planning phase is critical for continuous improvement and performance. It requires organizations to analyze OH&S hazards and select appropriate controls, comply with legal and other requirements, and establish measurable objectives and programs. This involves conducting comprehensive risk assessments to identify and evaluate occupational hazards, implementing risk management strategies, and setting clear performance indicators.

Implementation and operation (Clause 4.4)

Top management must ensure effective implementation by establishing responsibility and accountability throughout the organization. This clause covers competence and training requirements, communication and participation mechanisms, documentation and document control, operational control measures, and emergency preparedness and response procedures. A key feature is the need for employee participation in specific areas of the management system, including hazard identification, risk assessment, incident investigations, and policy development.

Checking (Clause 4.5)

Once the OHSMS is implemented, the standard requires regular monitoring and measurement of OH&S performance. This includes both proactive measures that monitor conformance with programs and controls, and reactive measures that examine historical evidence of deficient performance. Internal audits assess system effectiveness, while procedures for investigating incidents and managing nonconformities ensure continuous learning and improvement.

Management review (Clause 4.6)

Top management must periodically review the suitability, adequacy, and effectiveness of the OH&S management system. These reviews examine audit results, compliance evaluations, communication from external parties, OH&S performance data, and the status of corrective and preventive actions.

The Plan-Do-Check-Act cycle

Plan-Do-Check-Act (PDCA) is the operating principle of OHSAS 18001. This methodology, also known as the Deming Cycle, provides a structured approach to managing and continually improving the OHSMS.

Plan: Establish objectives and processes necessary to deliver results in accordance with the organization’s OH&S policy. This includes identifying hazards, assessing risks, and developing policies and procedures.

Do: Implement and operate the planned processes. This involves training employees, establishing communication channels, implementing operational controls, and developing emergency response plans.

Check: Monitor and measure processes against the OH&S policy, objectives, legal requirements, and report results. Conduct internal audits and performance evaluations to assess effectiveness.

Act: Take actions to continually improve performance. Implement corrective and preventive actions to address identified nonconformities and prevent recurrence.

The PDCA cycle runs throughout the standard, appearing in everything from policy development to incident investigation. This iterative approach ensures that the OHSMS remains dynamic and responsive to changing conditions.

Compatibility with other management systems

OHSAS 18001 was developed to ensure compatibility with ISO 9001 (Quality) and ISO 14001 (Environmental) management system standards. This design facilitates the integration of quality, environmental, and occupational health and safety management systems within organizations. The overall structure shares many common elements with other standards, including policy development, objectives, document control, internal auditing, management review, and corrective and preventive actions.

This compatibility allows certification bodies to provide organizations with integrated management system certification covering quality, environment, health, and safety under a unified framework.

Benefits of implementing OHSAS 18001

Organizations that implemented OHSAS 18001 experienced numerous advantages. The framework helped reduce the risk of legal penalties by driving increased employee awareness of and compliance with OH&S obligations. It improved corporate image through best-practice measures that protect staff, increasing stakeholder confidence.

The focus on hazard identification and risk mitigation directly enhanced operational efficiency by minimizing accidents and illnesses. Organizations maintained consistent productivity levels with fewer disruptions. Employee morale improved when workers recognized that their health was prioritized, leading to increased engagement, job satisfaction, and loyalty.

Additional benefits included effective resource management, reduced costs related to accidents, compliance with laws and regulations, stronger relationships with authorities, and increased worker participation in safety consultation.

Transition to ISO 45001

ISO 45001:2018 was published on 12 March 2018, and organizations certified to OHSAS 18001 were given a three-year migration period. OHSAS 18001 has now been fully withdrawn and replaced by the new international standard. Key differences include a stronger emphasis on leadership engagement, the addition of context analysis and risk-based thinking, and greater alignment with other ISO management system standards.

ISO 45001 combines the technical strength of existing OH&S standards, including OHSAS 18001, with the high-level structure of ISO 9001 and ISO 14001, making integration into broader business management systems even easier.

Why understanding OHSAS 18001 still matters

Although OHSAS 18001 is no longer active, its principles and structure form the foundation of modern occupational health and safety management. Professionals working with integrated management systems benefit from understanding this legacy standard, as many of its concepts carry forward into ISO 45001. The systematic approach to hazard identification, risk assessment, and continuous improvement remains central to effective workplace safety management.

What do you think? How has your organization approached the integration of occupational health and safety with other management systems like quality and environmental standards? What challenges have you encountered when implementing systematic safety management frameworks?

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References
  1. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/OHSAS_18001
  2. https://www.sgs.com/en-us/services/ohsas-18001-occupational-health-and-safety-management-systems
  3. https://pecb.com/pdf/whitepapers/pecb-whitepaper_ohsas-18001.pdf
  4. https://www.effivity.com/blog/how-to-use-the-pdca-cycle-with-ohsas-18001
  5. https://www.isocertification.uk.com/standards/ohsas-180012007/
  6. https://www.bsigroup.com/LocalFiles/es-ES/Documentos%20tecnicos/OHSAS%2018001/BS-OHSAS-18001-Guia-Implantacion-web.pdf
  7. https://advisera.com/45001academy/blog/2015/11/25/the-importance-of-the-plan-do-check-act-cycle-in-iso-45001/
  8. https://www.qmsuk.com/iso-standards/ohsas-18001
  9. https://www.theknowledgeacademy.com/blog/what-is-ohsas-18001/
  10. https://www.lrqa.com/en/ohsas-18001/
  11. https://www.iso.org/standard/63787.html
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Food Safety and Quality Management Systems

1 Introduction to Management systems

  1. Introduction to ISO 9001
  2. ISO 9000
  3. Introduction to ISO 14001:2004
  4. How to Use ISO 14001
  5. Introduction to OHSAS 18001:2007
  6. How to Use OHSAS 18001:2007
  7. Introduction to ISO/IEC 27001
  8. The PDCA Model

2 Auditing

  1. Clause 1 – Scope of the Standard
  2. Clause 2 – Normative References
  3. Clause 3 – Terms and Definitions
  4. Clause 4 – Principles of Auditing
  5. Clause 5 – Managing an Audit Program
  6. Clause 6 – Audit Activities
  7. Clause 7 – Competence and Evaluation of Auditors

3 Standardization and Accreditation

  1. International Accreditation Forum (IAF)
  2. International Laboratory Accreditation Cooperation (ILAC)
  3. Quality Council of India (QCI)
  4. National Accreditation Board for Testing and Calibration Laboratories (NABL)
  5. ISO/TS 22003:2007 Food Safety Management System
  6. ISO Guide 65: General Requirements for Bodies Operating Product Certification Systems
  7. ISO/IEC 17020:1998 General Criteria for the Operation of Various Types of Bodies Performing Inspections
  8. ISO/IEC 17021:2006 – Conformity Assessment-Requirements for Bodies Providing Audit and Certification of Management Systems
  9. ISO 17025:2005 General Requirements for the Competence of Testing and Calibration Laboratories

4 ISO 9001-2000 – An Overview

  1. ISO 9000
  2. Quality Management Principles
  3. ISO 9000:2005, Quality Management Systems: Fundamentals and Vocabulary
  4. ISO 9001:2000, Quality Management Systems: Requirements
  5. Steps for Implementing Quality Management Systems
  6. Benefits of ISO 9001:2000
  7. ISO 9004:2000, Quality Management Systems: Guidelines for Performance Improvements
  8. Relationship with ISO 9001:2000
  9. Self-assessment Model

5 ISO 9001-2000 – Structure

  1. Documentation Structure of ISO 9001:2000
  2. Quality Manual
  3. Mandatory Procedures
  4. Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs)
  5. Process Definition Documents
  6. Work Instructions
  7. Miscellaneous Documents
  8. Formats and Records
  9. ISO 9001:2000 Clauses

6 Clause wise interpretation of ISO 9001-2000

  1. Clause 1: Scope
  2. Clause 2: Normative Reference
  3. Clause 3: Terms and Definitions
  4. Clause 4: Quality Management System
  5. Clause 5: Management Responsibility
  6. Clause 6: Resource Management
  7. Clause 7: Product Realization
  8. Clause 8: Measurement, Analysis and Improvement

7 ISO 9001-2000 – Case Studies

  1. Engineering Job Work Organisation
  2. Software Development Organisation
  3. Management Review in Engineering
  4. Customer-Related Processes in Software
  5. Internal Audits in Engineering
  6. Design and Development in Software
  7. Corrective and Preventive Actions in Software
  8. Customer Property Management in Engineering

8 ISO 22000-2005 – An Overview

  1. What Does ISO 22000 Bring to the HACCP Method?
  2. System Components
  3. Communication between Participants in the Food Industry
  4. ISO 22000: A Passport for Exporting?
  5. Why do Companies Commit themselves to an ISO 22000 Approach?
  6. Who Should Use ISO 22000:2005?
  7. Why Use ISO 22000:2005?
  8. ISO 22000 and HACCP
  9. Codex Alimentarius
  10. Key Elements and Benefits of ISO 22000

9 ISO 22000-2005 – Structure

  1. Economic Loss due to Food Borne Illness
  2. ISO 22000: 2005 Clauses
  3. FSMS Documentation Structure
  4. Food Safety Team Structure
  5. Food Safety Manual
  6. Mandatory Procedures
  7. Standard Operating Procedures (SOP)/Work Instructions
  8. HACCP Pre-steps Related Documents
  9. HACCP Principles Related Documents
  10. Miscellaneous Documents
  11. Formats and Records

10 Clause-wise interpretation of ISO 22000- 2005

  1. Clause 1: Scope
  2. Clause 2: Normative References
  3. Clause 3: Terms and Definitions
  4. Clause 4: Food Safety Management System
  5. Clause 5: Management Responsibility
  6. Clause 6: Resource Management
  7. Clause 7: Planning and Realization of Safe Products
  8. Clause 8: Validation, Verification and Improvement of the FSMS

11 ISO 22000-2005-Case Studies

  1. Kick-off meeting
  2. Introduction to the standard
  3. Formation of food safety team
  4. Description of product and its intended use
  5. PRP (Pre-requisite programme)
  6. Flow diagrams, process steps and control measures
  7. Control measure assessment
  8. Verification of food safety management system
  9. Traceability system
  10. External communication
  11. Internal communication
  12. Management Reviews

12 An Overview and Requirements of ISO 17025

  1. Introduction to the ISO/IEC 17025 Standard
  2. Scope of ISO/IEC 17025
  3. Normative References
  4. Terms and Definitions
  5. General Requirements
  6. Structural Requirements
  7. Resource Requirements
  8. Process Requirements
  9. Management System Requirements

13 Requirements specific to Food testing laboratories – Physical and chemical Parameters

  1. Introduction
  2. Quality and Safety Requirements of Food Products
  3. Chemical and Physical Testing Requirements of Food Products
  4. Laboratory Quality Management System
  5. Management Requirements (Clause 4 of ISO 17025)
  6. Technical Requirements (Clause 5 of ISO 17025)
  7. Traceability of Measurement
  8. Sampling
  9. Handling Test and Calibration Items
  10. Assuring the Quality of Test and Calibration Results

14 Requirements specific to Food testing laboratories – Biological parameters

  1. Introduction
  2. Quality and Safety Requirements of Food Products
  3. Biological Testing Requirements of Food Products

15 General topics- related to Food testing laboratories

  1. Method Validation
  2. Ruggedness
  3. Uncertainty of Measurement
  4. International Accreditation Aspects

16 BRC Food and BRC/IOP Standards – An Overview

  1. BRC Global Standard – Food (Issue 5, January 2005)
  2. Introduction to BRC Food Standard
  3. Legislative Requirements
  4. Benefits of the BRC Global Standard – Food
  5. Principles of the BRC Global Standard – Food
  6. The Standard Technical Advisory Committee
  7. Scope of the BRC Global Standard – Food
  8. The Format of the BRC Global Standard – Food
  9. Application
  10. Structure and Interpretation of the Standard
  11. BRC / IOP Global Standard Issue 3 2001 (Food Packaging and Other Packaging Materials)
  12. IOP: The Institute of Packaging
  13. BRC/IOP Relationship
  14. Benefits of BRC/IOP Packaging Standard
  15. Principles of BRC/IOP Packaging Standard
  16. Application
  17. Structure of BRC / IOP Global Standard – Food Packaging and Other Packaging Materials

17 International Food Standard

  1. Background of the IFS
  2. Service Protocol of the IFS ISSUE 5
  3. Contractual Arrangements – Selection of Certifying Body
  4. Audit Notification
  5. Scope of the Audit
  6. Audit Flow – Preparing the Audit Plan
  7. Level Determination – KO, Major NC’s, NA
  8. Scores, Issuing the Audit Report and Certification
  9. Audit Frequency
  10. Audit Report
  11. Awarding of Certificate
  12. Distribution of the Audit Report
  13. Supplementary Action
  14. Appeal Procedure
  15. Complaints
  16. IFS – Catalogue of Requirements
  17. Management of Quality System
  18. Management Responsibility
  19. Resource Management
  20. Product Realization
  21. Measurements, Analysis and Improvements
  22. Requirements for Certification Bodies and Auditors
  23. Report

18 SQF 1000 And SQF 2000

  1. SQF 1000
  2. Interpretation of SQF 1000 Standard
  3. SQF 2000
  4. Interpretation of SQF 2000 Standard
  5. Let Us Sum Up

19 Global GAP and India GAP

  1. Potential Benefits and Challenges Related to Good Agricultural Practices (GAP)
  2. Description of the FAO/GAPs
  3. USDA GAP/GHP Programme
  4. Global GAP
  5. India GAP