This clause is broken up into four sections however we will only look at the first three this week. Section 5.4 (Consultation and participation of workers) will be looked at next week.
5.1 Leadership and commitment
The points below outline how top management demonstrate leadership and commitment to Safety and the Safety Management Systems within the organization:
Ensuring that integrated policies and objectives are established for the integrated management system and are compatible with the strategic direction. The director reviews the OHSMS Policy and the integrated objectives in line with the strategic plan and presents these to the management team for implementation.
Ensuring the integrated policy is understood and followed. The OHSMS Policy is displayed (signed and dated by the Director) and staff are made aware through OHSMS training and a copy is in the Staff Handbook.
Ensuring the IMS requirements are incorporated into the organisation’s business processes. Senior management team ensures that documented information maps the processes used for the OHSMS and accurately reflects your business practices.
Promoting awareness of the process approach. The management team has implemented lean program to improve the process approach and provision of lean training.
Ensuring that the resources needed for the OH&S management system are available. Director has provided sufficient resources, such as staff, equipment and financial.
Communicating the importance of having an effective OH&S management system, as well as the benefits of conforming to the requirements of the OH&S management system and the goods and services. All staff have been trained in the OHSMS and records are maintained of this training.
Ensuring that the OH&S management system achieves its intended outputs. Internal and external audits are undertaken to ensure compliance with the OHSMS.
Engaging, directing and supporting persons to contribute to the effectiveness of the OH&S management system. All staff are trained in the OHSMS.
Promoting improvement and innovation through the ICAR system
Supporting other relevant management roles to demonstrate their leadership as it applies to their areas of responsibility. This may be through the provision of training, professional development and weekly and monthly meetings.
5.2 OH&S policy
Top management has to establish an OH&S policy that:
Includes a commitment to provide safe and healthy working conditions for the prevention of work related injury and ill-health (which is appropriate to the purpose, size and context of the organization and to the specific nature of its OH&S risks and OH&S opportunities)
Provides a framework for setting the OH&S objectives
Includes a commitment to fulfil legal requirements and other requirements
Includes a commitment to eliminate hazards and reduce OH&S risks
Includes a commitment to the continual improvement of the OH&S management system
Includes a commitment to consultation and participation of workers and where they exist, workers’ representatives
This OH&S policy has to be:
Available as documented information, displayed in the office and warehouse.
Communicated within the organisation, part of OHSMS training and is in the staff handbook.
Available to interested parties, as appropriate, (provided when requested)
Reviewed for continuing suitability (normally annually by the Director)=
Refer to example of OH&S Policy provided as a free resource, this week.
5.3 Organisational Roles, Responsibilities and Authorities
Top management is accountable for the effectiveness of the safety management system and has assigned the responsibility and authority for:
Ensuring that the safety management system conforms to the requirements of the International Standard ISO 45001
Reporting on the performance of the integrated management system to top management.
Top management has to ensure that the responsibilities and authorities for relevant roles are assigned and communicated within its organisation. These can be detailed in Position Descriptions or in procedures, SWMS and JSAs.
Any questions just contact us through the website.
Make sure to check back next week for the section 5.4 of this clause - Consultation and Participation of workers.