- Why should we spend money on ISO 45001?” We have higher priorities to worry about than implementing a management system for health & safety.
- Spending money on an Occupational Health & Safety (OH&S) management system is unnecessary because our business is too small and we don’t have a risky work environment
- Spending money on an Occupational Health & Safety (OH&S) management system is unnecessary because we believe we already follow the health & safety laws.
If you are encountering such statements, it is likely that you are responsible for persuading your senior management to adopt an Occupational Health & Safety management system.
As you undertake this task, you may encounter resistance from senior managers who are focused solely on the implementation costs. Convincing them to endorse an Occupational Health & Safety management system can be an arduous process, but without their support, the maintenance of the system post-implementation may pose a greater challenge.
The endorsement of senior management is crucial for demonstrating the necessary and ongoing improvement that is necessary to retain your certification. This is especially pertinent during the management review process of the Occupational Health & Safety management system’s key performance indicators.
What are the benefits of having an OH&S management system?
When advocating for implementing an OH&S management system to senior management, it is advantageous to frame the discussion in financial terms. However, justifying the need for such a system can pose a challenge. Instead of focusing on costs, highlighting the benefits of a management system pertinent to your organization is recommended. Here are several benefits to consider:
Benefit 1 – Help maintain compliance with the Thai OSH Act 2011 & 2022.
It is paramount to ensure compliance with the Thai OSH Act and other known occupational health and safety legal requirements. If your company has over 50 people working for it (full-time contractors included) then you must, by law, have a safety management system aligned with international standards.
One of the most significant benefits of adopting an Occupational Health & Safety management system according to ISO 45001 standards is the establishment of a framework that facilitates the identification, monitoring, and compliance with various legal, regulatory, and contractual requirements that are relevant to your business processes.
The system supports adherence to compliance standards, which can not only prevent employee harm but also reduce the risk of incurring costly penalties (and even incarceration) for non-compliance.
A Safety Management System based on ISO45001 is very much aligned with the clauses stipulated in the OSH Act amendments of 2022 and is really the only choice to use compared to the other standards mentioned in the OSH Act of 2022.
Benefit 2 – Improving chances of passing an ESG Audit from your clients
Many companies in the supply chain of larger multinationals will be required to prove that they are meeting with the Social Sustainability goals of their clients. Health & Safety of employees and contractors falls under the category of UN Sustainable Development Goal #3, and MOST if not all Sustainability programs have this requirement.
Benefit 3 – Improve your company’s credibility and image.
Although your contractual agreements may not mandate the adoption of an Occupational Health & Safety management system, many clients appreciate knowing that their suppliers have implemented a robust health and safety framework. Some will even require it and require that you demonstrate you have such a system, during the early procurement phases (i.e. a Contractor Safety Management Policy).
From the customer’s perspective, such a system can mitigate the risk of production delays caused by workplace accidents and injuries, which can impact not only the workforce but also lead to operational disruptions.
Benefit 4 – Reduce employee turnover.
Studies prove that employers with a reputation for prioritizing a safe working environment, have enhanced employee retention. Such a workplace safety culture not only benefits the employees but also fosters a sense of responsibility towards improving the working environment’s safety. Trained employees are a valuable asset, and cultivating such a safety-conscious culture can result in cost savings, as retaining employees is more cost-effective than recruiting and training new hires.
Benefit 5 – Process improvement.
Continual improvement is a fundamental aspect of ISO 45001, and it presents an opportunity to enhance your organizational processes. By incorporating your workforce in process improvement initiatives, you can identify areas for improvement and streamline workflows, leading to savings in both time and resources expended on tasks. Moreover, these improvements can extend beyond health and safety to other organizational aspects
Benefit 6 – Improving the health & safety of workers
Undoubtedly, the primary objective of implementing an OH&S management system based on the ISO 45001 standards is to prioritize the safety and well-being of the workforce by identifying and mitigating potential hazards. Nevertheless, it is worth noting that the benefits of such a system extend beyond this primary objective, as outlined above.
By focusing on the long-term advantages, the system can positively impact the company’s bottom line, apart from benefiting the employees.