Standard delivered!

The standard, BS OHSAS 18001:2007 Occupational health and safety management systems - Requirements, has now been published and will eventually replace OHSAS 18001:1999 in due course. There have been a number of significant changes to OHSAS 18001 since it was first published in 1999 which reflects the widespread use and experience of the standard in more than 80 countries and around 16,000 certified organisations.

These changes place a much greater emphasis on health rather than just safety, and align the standard with ISO 14001:2004 to allow businesses to easily develop integrated management systems.

In addition:

• BS OHSAS 18001 now refers to itself as a standard, not a specification or document as in the earlier edition;
• new definitions have been added and existing definitions revised;
• a new clause on the "evaluation of compliance" has been introduced;
• new requirements have been introduced for:
• the consideration of the hierarchy of controls as part of OH&S planning,
• participation and consultation, and
• the investigation of accidents.

This new standard will replace OHSAS 18001:1999, however there will be a two year transition period until July 2009 for those organisations that have already achieved certification to the existing 1999 standard, or are in the final stages of achieving it.