Environment and Safety Management Systems (ISO 14001 & OHSAS 18001)
ISO (International Organization for Standardization) is a worldwide federation of national standard bodies, comprising of 127 countries. The object of ISO is to promote the development of standardization and related activities in the world with a view to facilitate international exchange of goods and services, and to develop cooperation in the spheres of intellectual, Scientific, technological and economic activity.
ISO 14001: 2004 is a series of international, voluntary environmental standards and addresses the following aspects of environmental management:
Environmental Management Systems, Environmental Auditing & Related Investigations,
Environmental labels and Declarations, Environmental performance analysis
Life cycle assessment and Terms & Definitions
The ISO series of standard effectively address the needs of the organization worldwide by providing a common framework for managing environmental issues and promise to effect a broadly based improvement in Environmental management, which in turn can facilitate trade & improve environmental performance worldwide.
The standards are being developed with the following key principles like better environmental management applicable in all nations and to promote the broad interest of the public & the users, cost effective, non - prescriptive, flexible, to be suitable for internal/external verification, scientifically based, practical, useful & usable.
The main environmental issues are Global warming, Ozone Depletion, Habitat Loss, and Desertification & Acid Rain.
Factors driving environmental management system are International protocols, Globalization of business, Scientific knowledge, Media events, Pressure Group, Supplier pressure and access to information.
Business benefits of Environmental Management System are Risk Management, Competitive advantage, Cost saving, improved relationship with community & regulators and financial institutions
Occupational Health & Safety Management System
Health & Safety at work is an issue affecting the business today. The past few years have witnessed a phenomenal change in corporate response to environmental, Occupational, Health & Safety issues on account of increased pressure and expectations of all interested parties, - employers, employees, customers, suppliers, insurers. Shareholders, the community, contractors & regulatory agencies etc.
A systematic approach towards occupational health & safety system is the sound solution in order to safeguard the business & its stakeholders with changing legislation.
OHSAS 18001: 1999 is a recognizable OH&S Management System standard comprising of a set of voluntary specifications for improving & harmonizing OH&S practices.
It is a certifiable specification appropriate for all kinds of organizations regardless of the nature, size, activities or locations.
A consortium of leading certified bodies developed OHSAS 18001 which enables the organization to eliminate or minimize OH&S risks associated with their activities; to proactively comply with statutory obligations; to improve OH&S performance continually; and to demonstrate such conformance to others.
An OH&S management system as per OHSAS 18001 enables alignment or seamless integration with other management system like ISO 9001, ISO 14001 & other compatible management system.
