The Royal Commission on the Pike River Coal mine tragedy which led to the elaboration of the Health and Safety at Work Act (HSWA) 2015 and the creation of WorkSafe New Zealand stated:
"The board and directors are best placed to ensure that the company effectively manages health and safety [...]"
Therefore, the responsibility to have the policy to develop an Occupational Health and Safety Management System (OHSMS) resides in the senior management of the organisation.
Indeed, the Institute of Directors in New Zealand (2013) reiterates that statement as a principle of good governance of the organisation.
Table of Contents
- Introduction
- The key aspects of AS/NZS 4804:2001
- Principle One: Commitment and policy
- Principle Two: Planning
- Principle three: Implementation
- Principle Four: Measurement and evaluation
- Principle Five: Review and improvement
- The benefits to the client for their OHSMS
- Improved health and safety performance
- Reduced cost
- Improved staff relations and morale
- Improved reputation
- Lower insurance premiums
- Easier access to finance
- Increased regulatory compliance
- Improved confidence
- Corporate and social responsibility
- How does an audit utilising AS/NZS 4801:2001 impact on the organisation, when aligned with AS/NZS 4804:2001?
- Conclusion
Objectives and Key Themes
This document aims to examine the impact of an audit utilising AS/NZS 4801:2001 on an organisation when aligned with AS/NZS 4804:2001. It explores the key aspects of AS/NZS 4804:2001 and the benefits of implementing an Occupational Health and Safety Management System (OHSMS) for the client.
- The role of senior management in establishing and maintaining an effective OHSMS
- The key principles of AS/NZS 4804:2001, including commitment, planning, implementation, measurement, and review
- The benefits of an OHSMS for the client, such as improved health and safety performance, reduced costs, and improved reputation
- The impact of an audit utilising AS/NZS 4801:2001 on the organisation
Chapter Summaries
The introduction discusses the importance of senior management responsibility for health and safety within an organisation, referencing the Pike River Coal mine tragedy and subsequent legislation. It outlines the key role of AS/NZS 4801:2001 and AS/NZS 4804:2001 in establishing an effective OHSMS.
Chapter 2 explores the five key principles of AS/NZS 4804:2001. These principles cover commitment and policy, planning, implementation, measurement and evaluation, and review and improvement.
Chapter 3 details the benefits of implementing an OHSMS for the client, including improved health and safety performance, reduced costs, enhanced staff relations and morale, improved reputation, lower insurance premiums, easier access to finance, increased regulatory compliance, improved confidence, and corporate and social responsibility.
Keywords
The main keywords of this text include AS/NZS 4801:2001, AS/NZS 4804:2001, Occupational Health and Safety Management System (OHSMS), audit, senior management, health and safety performance, benefits, and corporate governance.
- Quote paper
- Damien Hiquet (Author), 2020, AS/NZS 4804:2001. The Aspects and the Principles, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/1151294
