Health & Safety

AS/NZS 4801 and OHSAS 18001 Occupational Health and Safety Management Systems (OHSMS)

Businesses wishing to be recognised for meeting internationally accepted standards of best practice in health and safety management should consider this standard as well as, or instead of, the relevant ACC programme. While the ACC audits are based on AS/NZS 4801 they do not meet all the requirements of NZS 4801 or OHSAS 18001.

The focus of the standard is on maintaining best practice in an environment where the benchmark for best practice constantly increases. An OHSMS promotes a safe and healthy working environment by providing a framework that allows your organisation to consistently identify and control its health and safety risks, reduce the potential for accidents, aid legislative compliance and improve overall performance. NZS 4801 and OHSAS 18001 have been designed to be compatible with ISO 9001 and ISO 14001 to help your organisation meet their health and safety obligations in an efficient manner.

The following key areas are addressed by NZS 4801 and OHSAS 18001:

  • Planning for hazard identification, risk assessment and risk control
  • OHSMS management programme
  • Structure and responsibility
  • Training, awareness and competence
  • Consultation and communication
  • Operational control
  • Emergency preparedness and response
  • Performance measuring, monitoring and improvement

 

The implementation of an effective OHSMS should lead to a reduction of workplace illness and injury and minimise the costs associated with workplace accidents. The success will depend on the commitment from all levels and functions within an organisation.

VNZ has a number of approved auditors with a wide range of industry experience.

 

Certification Process

  • Contact us. We will visit or send out an application form. Complete and return the form.
  • An auditor will be assigned to you based on industry background and experience relevant to your business. They will make contact to discuss your needs and possibly make a pre-assessment visit.
  • Once your procedures have been completed your auditor will complete a document review of your systems against the standard. This gap analysis is intended to make sure the system you have written complies with the standard and covers all of your business processes.
  • An onsite audit will be completed. This will involve a review of actual implementation of your system. The time required depends on the size of the company, the number of sites and the degree of technical complexity.
  • Clearance of non-conformances raised at the audit. This may require an additional visit but it usually isn’t required.
  • Once the audit process is complete, the decision is made as to whether to certify you. You will then be offered certification, usually subject to accepting some standard terms and conditions.
  • At periods from 3-12 months thereafter (depending on performance and preference) you will be subject to review or surveillance audits and then a full reassessment at about the third anniversary of your certification.

 

Further Information

To make an enquiry or request a quote please email info@verification.co.nz.

To make an application, please download and complete this form (vnz-application-form.pdf).