OHSAS 18001 is not an ISO standard yet. ¯\_(ツ)_/¯ Now it is! March 2018

Re: BS OHSAS 18001 is not an ISO standard...!

Henria said:

Hi !

Do somebody knows why in the USA, Americain companies, but US Government organizations too, prefer to use an OHSMS British standard, rather than an American standard (ANSI/AIHA Z10 available since 2005) ?

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Yes, and I have previously stated, if you care to read, the primary reason is that Z10 is not recognized outside the US but OHSAS is recognized and accepted as an international standard by those who choose to use it.

Don't the advisers, consultants or the specialists about management systems make promotion on the OHSMS US standard ?

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No, because of the reasons stated above.

Don't they ensure informations about ANSI/AIHA Z10 standard ? (instead of BS OHSAS 18001)

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Nobody really cares about the Z10...It is a non-factor


Cordially.

PS, all, please use the right standard names.

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As an aside note....is there some problem with the document being BS OHSAS 18001?

Are there some issues that we are not aware of?

What's the deal here?

Re: BS OHSAS 18001 is not an ISO standard...!

Hi!
Thanks Randy.
Opinions and analyses of other people (outside and inside companies) ?
Bye.

Re: BS OHSAS 18001 is not an ISO standard...!

Henria said:

Do somebody knows why in the USA, Americain companies, but US Government organizations too, prefer to use an OHSMS British standard, rather than an American standard (ANSI/AIHA Z10 available since 2005) ?

Click to expand...

In general, most organizations are oblivious to management system standards dealing with occupational health & safety issues. OH&S is typically managed from a strict regulatory compliance perspective; i.e., what do we need to do in order to "comply". Not an iota more. For those "enlightened organizations" that aspire to better manage their OH&S risks and decide to follow a model aligned with a recognized standard, OHSAS 18001 is a much more popular document. The ANSI Z-10 document was created due to political pressure. Some of the American establishment decided to "show those ISO Europeans" that we too, can develop standards.

Henria said:

Don't the advisers, consultants or the specialists about management systems make promotion on the OHSMS US standard ? Don't they ensure informations about ANSI/AIHA Z10 standard ? (instead of BS OHSAS 18001)

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Nope, basically because most consultants (as well as the safety professionals) are blissfully ignorant about the ANSI Z-10 document. Take as evidence the fact that, try as they might to increase the numbers, there is only one CB accredited for certification against the Z-10 document in the US.

Re: BS OHSAS 18001 is not an ISO standard...!

Wish I could understand a word Henria was on about!

Anyway most organisations are forced to do it here as they cannot bid for large local authority or government tenders / contracts without it.

There are a minority that go for it out of the goodness of their own heart but these are the exception.

Re: BS OHSAS 18001 is not an ISO standard...!

Well Randy I am always happy to be proven wrong!

Need any help

JP

Re: BS OHSAS 18001 is not an ISO standard...!

You're correct

Re: BS OHSAS 18001 is not an ISO standard...!

[FONT=&quot]Hi ![/FONT]
[FONT=&quot] [/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]It is really interesting to cross our opinions and points of view between professionals of different countries. But please use simple and clear [/FONT][FONT=&quot]sentences [/FONT][FONT=&quot]because it’s difficult to me well understanding if you use allusions or insinuations. English is not my natural language.

Sidney, you said "For those "enlightened organizations" that aspire to better manage their OH&S risks and decide to follow a model aligned with a recognized standard, OHSAS 18001 is a much more popular document", OK. Two comments :
- I think popularity is not inevitably a criterion of excellence of a model of OHSMS. Isn't this? I prefer to put all the models available in front of me and study their characteristics compared to my project.
- But if popularity is a criterion, it is enough that you US guys use your US standard Z10 instead of the British one, and Z10 will be popular too in USA.

You said too "The ANSI Z-10 document was created due to political pressure. Some of the American establishment decided to "show those ISO Europeans" that we too, can develop standards". [/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]If you are thinking to BSI, I can say BSI is only one of the national standard organizations in Europe (it’s not either the European committee for standardization). I don't believe that it is reaction to ISO Europeans because ISO is not only European, and because the reference of Z10 is the international standard ILO-OSH (ILO ISO are very important international organizations but they are not the same one).

You say finally "Take as evidence the fact that, try as they might to increase the numbers, there is only one CB accredited for certification against the Z-10 document in the US".[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]It’s not a problem because on the one hand certification is not the finality of a OHSMS, and on the other hand if US companies enlarge the request for certification Z10 and the offer of CB will grow bigger.[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot] [/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]JCVP you said “Anyway most organizations are forced to do it here as they cannot bid for large local authority or government tenders / contracts without it” and “There are a minority that go for it out of the goodness of their own heart but these are the exception”… but I don’t identify which are the standard in question in each phrase. Can you confirm them ?[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot] [/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]Bye.[/FONT]

Re: BS OHSAS 18001 is not an ISO standard...!

Well Henria here's what has probably escaped you....Both Sidney and I work for 2 of the largest Certification Bodies on the planet...Sidney for DNV and I work for BSI...both of our organizations were involved in the development of 18001 from the beginning........we both have extensive background and experience in the subject and what we've been stating isn't based on guesswork or suspicion, it's based on fact.

The utilization of the word "popular" in the context that it was used means that 18001 is the most widely and universally recognized and utilized document for establishing a Health & Safety Management System and achieving or being granted a 3rd party certification....regardless of what "you" think. The numbers speak for themselves.

As Sidney stated, there was some politics involved in the Z10 program as well as some hopes of financial return for those involved. I personally have been ready since 2005 to provide Z10 training services but we (BSI) have not recieved one call as far as I know. Why? Because the whole world is using OHSAS 18001 (except maybe you)

Everyone is curious...Why do you seem to detest OHSAS 18001?

Re: BS OHSAS 18001 is not an ISO standard...!

Hello Randy !

It did not have escaped me you were related to an organization having direct interests in the diffusion of national BS OHSAS 18001 (ISO 14001 inspired in the beginning, but ISO did not wish to create at the international level with the profit of the ILO). If I would be in such a situation about ILO-OSH I believe you would say: “Henria, your opinion is not completely objective to observe and compare the various appearing OHSMS standards as a specialist in the prevention of occupational H&S”.

In addition the British standard is indeed very known at international level but it’s not a proof of superiority of this H&S model (rather force of its promotion by certification market) and ILO-OSH reputation is growing (if not, why BS OHSAS would take it as reference?).

Another thing, I don’t “hate” BS OHSAS 18001, but I “prefer” ILO-OSH for already evoked reasons (Z10 or BS 8800 seems to me also excellent). And I know I am far from being alone in this case on our planet.

Finally I think that it is necessary to always looking around us the various proposals offered on a given subject and benefitting from opinions of other professionals concerned. A specialized Internet forum is a good means to have this kind of vision. It is what I endeavour to do, “discussing” ideas without “discussing” people.

Cordially.

Re: BS OHSAS 18001 is not an ISO standard...!

Henria, it appears that you have studied all the various incarnations of the safety standards. I am not an expert, nor have I really read any of them, but we have discussed the possibility of someday registering to one of them. Can you give us some information as to your preferences and likes and dislikes of each? enquiring minds want to know. thanks.