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Occupational Safety and Health Management System According to Ohasas 18001:2007 Standard



Figure 1.4: Occupational safety and health management system according to OHASAS 18001:2007 standard

Source: OHSAS Project Group [15]

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Similar to the ILO's OSH management model, the OSH management system according to OHSAS 18001:2007 standard is also built with the requirement of continuous development, meaning that after building the system, applying it in practice and carrying out inspection, evaluation and review activities, the leaders will propose and carry out corrective actions to bring the management system to a higher level of development.

1.2. Overview of the Occupational Safety and Health Management System in Vietnam

Occupational safety and health is an important content and cannot be separated from the socio-economic development strategy in our country. The Resolution of the 9th Party Congress on the socio-economic development strategy for the period 2001 - 2010 emphasized the need to "focus on ensuring occupational safety". Occupational safety and health is fully and clearly mentioned in the Constitution (Article 56), in the Labor Code (Chapter IX), in the Law on Social Insurance, the Law on Technical Standards and Regulations, the Law on Environmental Protection, the Law on Fire Prevention and Fighting, and the Law on Occupational Safety and Health. The Government and relevant Ministries and Departments have developed and promulgated many legal documents regulating


OSH work. The basic contents are: regimes and policies on OSH, ensuring OSH, taking care of workers' health; technical regulations on OSH. Vietnam has also ratified many ILO conventions and recommendations on OSH such as Convention 155, 1981; Convention 187, 2006; Convention 161, 1985.

Figure 1.5. Occupational safety and health management organization system in Vietnam

Source:[10]

1.3. Occupational safety and health management system according to ISO 45001:2018 standard

Organizations around the world are aware of the need to build and provide a safe working environment, minimize the risks of occupational accidents and diseases and demonstrate their initiative in risk management. ISO 45001:2018, the new international standard for occupational safety and health, will provide a globally accepted model to help protect workers as well as protect organizations in production activities and more than 70 countries have directly participated in drafting and issuing this important document. ISO 45001:2018 creates a solid and effective foundation for improving occupational safety and health in the global supply chain. The standard specifies the requirements for an occupational safety and health management system, with guidance for use. The purpose of this standard is to enable organizations to provide a safe and healthy workplace.


and prevent work-related injuries and ill health, by encouraging a proactive approach to occupational health and safety performance. The standard is flexible and can be applied to any organization and can be adapted to suit its specific needs and safety objectives, facilitating continual improvement of performance and meeting legal requirements. The standard is applicable to any organization “regardless of its size, type and activities” including: large enterprises and organisations, small and medium-sized enterprises, public and not-for-profit organisations, non-governmental organisations (NGOs) and charities and is applicable to occupational risks within the control of the organization taking into account the way the organization operates and the expectations of its employees and it is not prescriptive about the design of the management system.

However, it does allow an organization to develop an effective management system and a safety management system that is integrated with broader safety aspects such as employee wellbeing, focusing on managing risk rather than addressing it.

In fact, ISO 45001 will lead to a major transformation in working practices and facilitate a safe working environment for workers and stakeholders through continuous improvement of OH&S performance. The OSH management standard is based on the same common foundation as all management system standards and uses the PDCA model to provide a unified framework for organizations to plan and manage risks in their operations.

ISO 45001 is based on the ISO High Level Structure (HLS) of the quality management system standard with the following benefits:

- Provide and improve a safe working environment for employees and other stakeholders.

- Establish a record for an OSH management system for employees and relevant parties.

- Increase the sustainable development of the organization through proactive risk prevention, innovation and continuous improvement.

- Enhance compliance with legal and regulatory requirements, while reducing business losses

- Demonstrate brand responsibility by committing to providing a safe working environment.


- A global OSH system for all businesses of different sizes and without limitation.

The OSH management system according to ISO 45001:2018 is established based on the PDCA model: 'Plan, Do, Check, Act'. Like other standards, ISO 45001 conforms to the "High-Level Structure" (standardized structure, modules and definitions).


Figure 1.6: ISO 45001:2018 system structure diagram


Source: [17]

The occupational safety and health management system according to ISO 45001:2018 standard is structured according to 10 main provisions and is presented as follows:

Article 1: Scope

Article 2: Referenced documents

Clause 3: Terms and definitions Clause 4: Organizational context

Article 5: Leadership and Employee Involvement Article 6: Planning

Article 7: Support


Article 8: Operation

Article 9: Performance Evaluation Article 10: Improvement

The standard concludes by highlighting the fact that effective OH&S management is not a static process and should be continually improved and supported by a proactive culture.

1.4. Research status of ISO 45001:2018 standard in Vietnam

In Vietnam, since the country transformed from a centralized, subsidized economy to an integrated, developed, globalized economy, a socialist-oriented market economy has received deep attention as well as improved state management, in all areas of life and society, solutions have been analyzed and researched to find ways to rapidly increase labor productivity, promote economic development, and help the country overcome poverty. From that social context and conditions, there have been researchers and research projects that have boldly delved into each aspect and specific angle of occupational safety and health management, and there have been research projects that have been applied in practice, from which there have been proposals and solutions to improve occupational safety and health management and have achieved significant results in occupational safety and health work.

In fact, in Vietnam, there have been many scientific research projects on the OSH management system. Notably, the following research projects apply OSH management according to the following system:

1) Scientific research topics

Thesis: "State management of occupational safety and hygiene in construction stone mining enterprises in Vietnam" by author Ha Tat Thang [11].

The thesis analyzed, clarified and evaluated the current state management status of occupational safety and health management in stone mining enterprises in Vietnam.

- Pointed out and drew some experiences from some countries in the world about the stone mining industry.

- The author has clearly stated the contents, characteristics, roles, principles and factors affecting the State management of occupational safety and health in stone mining enterprises in Vietnam.

- Analyze and evaluate the current situation, thereby pointing out the causes and limitations in the state management of occupational safety and health in the field of stone mining.

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- The author has proposed basic solutions to improve the management of occupational safety and health in stone mining enterprises in Vietnam in the coming time. From that content, it is possible to prevent occupational accidents and occupational diseases to the maximum extent, contributing to protecting the lives and health of workers and protecting the environment in construction stone mining areas in Vietnam.

Topic: "Health safety of medical staff working at some blood transfusion facilities in Hanoi " by author Chu Nhat Hop [8].

The topic has analyzed, clarified and evaluated the current status of occupational safety and health management in the blood reception stage at 3 blood transfusion facilities in Hanoi.

Analyze the content clearly:

- Blood donors are delayed.

- Unsafe blood samples and related factors,

- Knowledge, attitudes and practices of medical staff in complying with occupational safety and health regulations at the Units.

Proposed solutions to strengthen occupational safety and health management in the blood reception stage of blood transfusion activities: Propaganda and education measures, measures on organization and management, and measures to strengthen facilities, equipment and personal protective equipment.

Topic: "Research and proposal to apply ISO 45001 management system for construction projects at Hai Phat Group" by author Nguyen Duy Hung [9].

The topic has presented an overview of occupational safety and health management systems in the world.

The author has conducted an in-depth analysis of the current state of occupational safety and health management at the Corporation. Thereby, it shows the current state of the organizational structure and occupational safety and health control processes operated at the Units and Departments.

From there, the Author proposed the application of the OSH management system according to ISO 45001 standard. The Author has outlined and clarified the roadmap for building, applying and evaluating the suitability of ISO 45001:2018 standard for construction works/projects of Hai Phat Group.

Some conclusions drawn from an overview of occupational safety and health management systems in the world, in Vietnam and some research topics related to the thesis.

Firstly, nowadays society is increasingly developing, business units are increasingly integrating, the topic of occupational safety and health in general, occupational safety and health management according to ISO standards


45001:2018 in particular, in businesses today is receiving a lot of attention, as well as deep concern according to a new vision.

Second, from different research aspects and perspectives, different research objects for separate research purposes, most domestic and foreign authors focus on researching the occupational safety and health management system for business organizations with the following aspects: Nature, content, principles and methods of operation, and activities of the system to ensure occupational safety and health.

Third, to minimize occupational accidents, the Ministry of Labor needs to strengthen occupational safety and health management according to standards to minimize the lack of compliance requirements, work to be performed, supervision and monitoring.

Fourth, promote the effectiveness of occupational safety and health, including commitment from the organization's top leaders, employees themselves and relevant parties.

1.5. Benefits and difficulties of enterprises when applying the Occupational Safety and Health Management System according to ISO 45001:2018 standard

1.5.1. Benefits

In terms of management

The Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) Management System according to ISO 45001:2018 will enable organizations to improve the effectiveness of their OHS management by:

- Develop and implement policies and goals on Occupational Safety and Health (OHS);

- Establish systematic processes that consider the context of the organization and take into account risks, opportunities and meet legal and other requirements;

- Identify hazards and OHS risks associated with the organization's activities and seek to eliminate or control them to minimize their potential impacts;

- Establish operational controls to manage OHS risks, legal requirements and other organizational requirements;

- Raise awareness within the organization of OHS risks within the organization;

- Ensure the participation, contribution and promotion of employees' positivity in OHS issues.


Combining the above measures will ensure the reputation of the Organization/Enterprise, be a safe workplace to promote and have more direct benefits, such as:

- Improve the ability to meet regulatory compliance;

- Reduce costs of resolving unexpected incidents and risks;

- Reduce insurance costs;

- Achieve recognition or certification of one of the international standards (this increases prestige, influences customers interested in their social responsibility, enhances the image of the Unit, organization/enterprise);

Regarding legal and other requirements

Currently, in the Vietnamese legal system, there are many legal documents that stipulate and require Enterprises to comply with to ensure occupational safety and health in business and production activities. Therefore, when applying the Occupational Safety and Health Management System according to ISO 45001:2018 standard, it ensures that the Company meets and complies with legal regulations and other requirements, improving the effectiveness of business management.

Customer Expectations

Currently, in some markets, compliance with OHSAS 18000/ISO 45001 standards is a mandatory condition. Therefore, many customers have requested organizations to apply and achieve ISO 45001 certification. In addition, when businesses achieve ISO 45001 certification, they enhance their position as well as their trust and reputation with customers and partners.

In terms of market:

- With the guarantee of a third party, overcoming barriers in trade creates premises and opportunities for advertising and promotion;

- Improve import and export opportunities and penetrate international markets;

- Enhance the reputation and image of the business with customers;

- Improve business competitiveness by improving economic efficiency in occupational safety and health management activities;

- Sustainable development through meeting and satisfying the needs, desires and other conditions of the workforce, this is the most important and key factor in an organization as well as in state management agencies on occupational safety and health, minimizing inspections and checks from state management agencies.

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