Element IA1: Principles of Health and Safety Management

Summary
Reasons for Managing Health and Safety
This element has introduced you to the general principles of health and safety management. We have looked at the
reasons for managing risk and seen that they fall into three categories - moral, legal and economic.

Societal Factors Which Influence Health and Safety Standards and Priorities
We have identified:
Economic climate.
Government policy and initiatives.
Sickness absence and incapacity.
Industry/business risk profile.
Globalisation.
Migrant workers.
Societal expectations of equality.
Corporate social responsibility.

Introduction to Management Systems

We have:
Considered the meaning of the terms:
Hazard -something with the potential to cause harm.
Risk - expresses the likelihood that the harm from a particular hazard is realised.
Danger - a liability or exposure to harm; a thing that causes peril.
Examined the principles and benefits of risk management on a global perspective.
Looked at two specific safety management system models which are conceptually very similar:
ILO-OSH-2001.
OHSAS 18001.
Considered the benefits and limitations of integrated management systems.
Identified the following key components of an effective health and safety management system:
Management commitment.
Policy.
Organising.
Planning and implementing.
Performance review.
Audit.
Continual improvement.
Examined the total quality management and environmental management systems:
ISO 9000 series.
ISO 14000 series.
Discussed the reasons for the introduction of formal health and safety management systems such as:
Appropriate allocation of resources and responsibilities.
Setting and monitoring performance standards.
Establishment of systems for feedback and implementation of corrective action in order to mini-mise loss.
Explained the role of the health and safety policy in relation to a health and safety management system and as a vehicle
for the communication of health and safety information.

Unit IA Element IA1 | 1-24 RRC Training

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 Element IA1: Principles of Health and Safety Management
Examined the requirements for a written health and safety policy and for recording arrangements.
Described the general principles and objectives of a health and safety policy document.
Discussed the implementation, benefits and limitations of the introduction of common health and safety management
principles, standards and systems in organisations operating on a world-wide basis.
Explained the influence of corporate responsibility and business ethics on health and safety management.
Examined the role of health and safety in global corporate social responsibility (CSR) guidelines and standards (United
Nations Global Compact; SA8000; Global Reporting Initiative).

Role and Responsibilities of the Health and Safety Practitioner

We have established that:
Health and safety practitioners should:
Be able to advise, develop and influence the decision-makers.
Be able to advise management and employees on various aspects of health and safety.
Be suitably trained and qualified, and able to perform necessary functions.
Establish suitable relationships both within their own organisations and with outside bodies and individuals.
Evaluate and develop their own practice, e.g. continuing professional development.
Adhere to the ethical policy of their professional body.

RRC Training Unit IA Element IA1 | 1-25

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