Occupational safety and health management systems

• Author: International Labour Organization
• Pages: 23-28

Meetings-MESHA-Final Code-2010-10-0355-1-En.doc/v2 23

4. Occupational safety and health

management systems

4.1. OSH management systems

4.1.1. The positive impact of introducing OSH management systems at the

enterprise level, on the recognition and elimination of hazards, the prevention and

reduction of risks and the enhancement of productivity, is now recognized internationally

by governments, employers and workers. In particular, it helps to promote positive

attitudes towards OSH and also a preventive OSH culture, both at the enterprise level and

more widely.

4.1.2. While OSH management systems need to be specific to agriculture and

appropriate to the size of the enterprise and nature of activities, many elements of the ILO

Guidelines on occupational safety and health management systems, ILO–OSH 2001, are

generic and can be used in the design and application of OSH management systems in an

agricultural enterprise, whatever its size and nature of activities.

4.1.3. Typically, an OSH management system should contain the following main

elements:

(a) OSH policy (see paragraphs 3.4.3 to 3.4.5);

(b) OSH organization and arrangements for establishing responsibility and

accountability, competence requirements and training, documentation and record

keeping, communication and information, etc. (see paragraphs 3.4.6 to 3.4.10);

(c) hazard identification and risk assessment;

(d) planning and implementation of controls; and

(e) monitoring, evaluation and improvement of OSH performance.

4.2. Hazard identification and risk assessment

4.2.1. The employer should identify, evaluate systematically and record the hazards

and risks to workers’ safety and health that may arise during the course of their work

taking into account such factors as sex, age, disability and reproductive health.

4.2.2. The identification of hazards in the workplace should take into account:

(a) the situation or events or combination of circumstances that have the potential to give

rise to injury or illness;

(b) the nature of potential injury or illness relevant to the activity, product or service;

(c) those likely to be harmed (e.g. young workers, older workers, temporary workers,

pregnant workers); and

(d) past injuries, incidents and illness.