How ISO 45001 And Worker Participation Improve Workplace Safety?

Introduction

ISO 45001:2018 is Occupational Health and Safety Management System which is also called OH&SMS. It is a framework provided to organization to take the utmost care of the health and safety of its employees, including contractors. The framework provides an amalgamation of requirements in the form of clauses with the aim to prevent OH&S hazards and minimize respective risks at workplace. 

The Importance Of Worker Participation In ISO 45001 Implementation

Previously ISO 45001 was known as OHSAS 18001, it was not in line with high level structure i.e. 10 Clauses with plan do check act as the base principle. But it was revised recently in 2018 and now it is named as ISO 45001:2018 called the Occupational Health and safety Management Systems.

• Clause 5 which is the leadership and worker participation defines the requirement of consultation and participation of workers. It has 4 sub clauses namely:

5.1 Leadership and commitment

5.2 OH&S policy

5.3 Organizational roles, responsibilities and authorities

5.4 Consultation and participation of workers

• In ISO 45001, under Clause 5.4, Workers’ participation is elaborated. It basically states that organizations must have a process in place to ensure that workers are consulted as well as participate in developing, implementation and in continual improvement of OH&S management system. 
  
  
• Worker’s Consultation and participation in ISO 45001 plays a significant role in shaping the OH&S (Occupational Health and Safety) management system. There are two aspects to understand:

1. Consultation

2. Participation

• Consultation is ISO 45001 means to seek worker’s input and feedback that is related to workplace OH&S aspect. It includes in the process of identification of hazard, assessment of risks, development of policies and operational procedures. The main aim of consultation is to have perspective of the workers too who have been working since a long time and are aware of various scenarios of work that arise, its probable hazards and recommended control measures.
  
  
• Participation means active involvement of workers while implementing OH&S measures. This may be done via training, including workers during OH&S specific inspections, incident reporting, etc. The main intent behind participation is to instill the sense of ownership towards OH&S aspects.

The Key Role Of Employers And Workers In ISO 45001

Employers: Employers playa crucial role is establishing processes related to workers’ consultation and participation in the OH&SMS such as communication method adopted for information on OH&S hazards and risk, risk assessment inputs, inputs while developing policies, etc

Workers: Workers are mainly responsible to actively participate and engage in the OH&S activities such as training programs, improvement plan, etc.

Process Of Consultation And Worker Participation In ISO 45001 Implementation

The main aspects while developing a process for consultation and participation include:

• Identification of key stakeholders: who are the section of people to be consulted, it may be workers, supervisors, OH&S representatives, etc 

• Developing a communication plan: a plan that provides information on how and when information on OH&S to be shared with identified key stakeholders, the process of documenting feedback, process of updating them on the action status, etc

• Training to workers: Awareness on roles and responsibilities of key stakeholders, the process of feedback, implementation etc.

• Consultation mechanism: Establish a process to consult with worker that are accessible to then as well as feedback for the same is taken into account. Means can be periodic OH&S specific meetings, worker committee meetings, suggestion box, etc

• Participation: Workers to be encourage to participate and provide input in decision making, risk assessments, etc to improve OH&S performance of the workplace.

• Monitoring and review: Ensure that a process is in place to test the effectiveness of the consultation and participation. Feedback from workers are reviewed, evaluation of decisions pertaining to health and safety, etc. 

Effective Communication Strategies For Enhancing Worker Participation In ISO 45001

One of the key elements of workers participation is communication. Here are few ways in which communication can be established effectively:

1. Transparency: Open communication with respect to policies, processes, decisions, etc are important that helps workers informed on the hazards, risk and relevant control measures

2. Trainings: Ensure a documented training and awareness plan is in place 

3. Risk Assessment: Ensure to involve workers during risk assessment reviews and revision 

4. Safety Committee Meetings: Ensure that safety committee is established that has workers representative as well as managerial staff to discuss on the safety performance, concerns, feedback, new improvement plan, etc

5. Rewards and recognition: Encouraging workers through incentives program that helps enhance engagement in the OH&S activities

6. Continual improvement: Ensure that once a action is implemented, effectiveness is verified and as per initial plan, we need to move and check for improvement further. 

Monitoring the Effectiveness Of Worker Participation Processes In ISO 45001

1. Establishing a communication channel: Ensure that a proper and appropriate communication channels is established

2. Monitoring Participation: success of any process lies in the correct monitoring and evaluation

3. Feedback Review: Feedbacks serve as an important tool for continual improvement actions. 

4. Periodic Review Meetings: Ensure that reviews are conducted to assess effectiveness and at the same time identify improvement action plans

Major Challenges in Implementing Worker Participation in ISO 45001

• Lacks Awareness: Limited or no knowledge of roles and responsibilities.
  
  
• Communication Barrier: Barriers can be language, cultural, that can hinder the participation of workers. Ensuring that communication is established keeping sensitivity in mind is the key to break those barriers.
  
  
• Time constraints: mismanagement of time that doesn’t allow participation of workers in the planned OH&S activities can be a discouragement in the longer run.

Ensuring to address the challenges helps employes to create a conducive environment that encourages worker’s participation.

Conclusion

Close coordination between employers and workers is the key to success for an effective worker participation program. With the right resources and support, employers can encourage and create multiple OH&S representative throughout the organization. A engaged workplace is productive and safer at the same time. This is feasible only when transparency is maintained between stakeholders in both communication and actions. Thus participation is a amalgamation of various aspects, it includes communication, planning, feedback mechanism, training, awareness, commitment from leadership, etc; only when these factors work in sync defines the success of a participation of workers.