Using Standards to Provide a Safe And Healthy Working Environment

Apr 07, 2024 Features / Columnists, GNBS, News, Waterfalls Magazine

Waterfalls Magazine – April is Occupational Safety and Health Month. The month of activities is being observed under the theme “We are running out of time: Ensuring Safe and Healthy work now in a changing climate”. And what better way is there to ensure a safe and healthy working environment than with the use of standards?

One such International Standard that provides a framework for organisations to manage risks and improve Occupational Safety and Health (OS&H) performance is the ISO 45001 standard –Occupational health and safety management systems — Requirements with guidance for use. Using the Plan-Do-Check-Act methodology, it helps organisations of all sizes to reduce workplace incidents by identifying risks and applying the necessary control measures.

ISO 45001 specifies requirements for an occupational health and safety management system. It establishes criteria for an OHS policy, objectives, planning, implementation, operation, auditing and review.

Key elements include leadership commitment, employees’ participation, risk assessment, legal and regulatory compliance, emergency planning, incident investigation and continual improvement.

Employers are encouraged to implement the ISO 45001 to show employees and external stakeholders that the organisation is committed to worker health, safety and wellbeing leading to enhanced morale and reduced workplace injuries, illnesses and incidents. Protecting your employees and customers reduces downtime and associated costs, as well as legal issues which can arise from such occurrences.

The Guyana National Bureau of Standards (GNBS) is here to help with our Training and Technical Assistance programmes.

With its competency, the GNBS Team is the leading provider of training and technical assistance towards the implementation of National, Regional and International Standards.

Local companies looking to supply the safety-conscious Oil and Gas industry are rushing to implement the ISO 45001 Standard. Recognising this need, the Bureau in 2022 commenced providing technical assistance to interested companies. The process ranges from six to twelve months after an application form is completed and submitted to the GNBS. The forms are available at https://gnbsgy.org/forms-all/

According to the International Labour Organization (ILO), more than 7,600 people die from work-related accidents or diseases every day. Protect your employees and customers this Occupational Safety and Health Month by implementing the requirements of the ISO 45001 Standard. Organisations are also encouraged to join the Annual OSH Walk which will take place on April 28, 2024, at 06:00h from the Ministry of Labour’s forecourt and end at the Square of the Revolution.

For Technical Assistance and Training support based on the ISO 45001 standard, contact the GNBS on telephone numbers: 219-0064-66 or WhatsApp us on +592-692-4627. Remember to visit the GNBS Facebook and Instagram pages for regular updates.

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