Principle of certification according to OHSAS 18001

[ohsas] OHSAS 18001 certificate guarantees that the occupational health and safety management system established in the company has been assessed by an accredited certification bodyand satisfies the requirements of OHSAS 18001 standard.

Occupational health and safety make an important part of management of each organization, especially in connection with legal requirements of the country where the organization runs its business. The group of OHSAS 18001 standards (Occupational Health and Safety Assessment Specification) was established to assist organizations to set up their occupational health and safety policy. Its structure is related to ISO 9001 and ISO 14001 standards; differences from the mentioned standards can be found especially in the areas related to identification, control and reduction of work hazards.

Certification according to OHSAS 18001 is established as an independent system beside QMS and EMS, or these systems are built simultaneously as integrated systems

Benefits of certification

Improving occupational health and safety system established on all organization”s levels;
Systematic reduction of hazards impeding safety and health of all people influenced by the organization”s activities, products or services;
Reducing incidence of occupational diseases and injuries ” improving performance;
Minimising costs associated with accidents at the workplace;
Attestation of the commitment to meet the statutory requirements in the area of occupational safety.

Certification process

The certification process consists of 3 basic phases:
1) Elaboration of documentation
2) Putting OHSAS 18001 into practice
3) Certification by an accredited certification body
The times of elaboration of documentation and putting the system into practice are individual (it usually takes several months).

Certification by the accredited certification body

The certification audit takes places in two stages.

1st stage audit

Registration of application for certification
Agreement for conducting a 1st stage audit
Appointing a team of auditors
Assessment of SM documentation
Preparing an audit plan
On-site audit in connection with examination of documentation
Elaboration of the 1st stage audit report documenting nonconformities

2nd stage audit

Agreement for conducting a 2nd stage audit
Appointing a team of auditors
Assessment of SM documentation
Preparing an audit plan
On-site audit from the point of view of the environmental aspect
Elaboration of the 2nd stage audit report
Assessment of the audit reports by the certification body
Issuing the certificate

During the three year validity period of the certificate, a surveillance audit takes place once a year, whose aim is to make sure that the environmental management system is maintained and further developed. One of the following is issued depending on the surveillance findings:

Decision on confirmation of the certificate validity;
Decision on suspension of the certificate;
Decision on withdrawal of the certificate in case of fundamental deviations from requirements of standards.