Occupational Health and Safety Throughout COVID-19
The largest drawback to a lockdown is the lack of income for businesses that cannot deliver their services or products under these unique circumstances. Therefore, business continuity becomes a pivotal aspect for every type of business in every type of industry. As a result, various industries will forever be changed by the COVID-19 outbreak, with Occupational Health and Safety as a large part of that selection.
How Will COVID-19 Influence Occupational Health and Safety?
Nobody can predict the future. However, we can prepare for the worst. When it comes to Occupational Health and Safety, businesses will implement special regulations before the workforce will be allowed back on premises. These regulations will also have an impact on regular Health and Safety regulations, as the COVID-19 outbreak made the world more aware of the possible dangers of physical contact and the rapid pace at which a virus or disease can spread.
COVID-19 spreads between humans via physical contact. Therefore, the whole world is encouraged to use masks and gloves when leaving their homes during lockdown periods. These medical devices are also being made in mass production in various countries across the world. You can expect that these masks and gloves will be implemented in various work environments where contact with food or other humans cannot be avoided. Although current Health and Safety regulations are very strict, they are probably going to become stricter to prevent the spread of COVID-19 in the workplace. This is where an Occupational Health and Safety Management System can be beneficial for your business.
The ISO 45001:2018 Standard
The ISO 45001:2018 standard is the world’s 1st international standard that is specifically for Occupational Health and Safety Management within an organisation. It consists of a set of processes that will improve the profile of a company’s workplace safety considerably once they are implemented. The standard was officially published on 12 March 2018 to replace the widely implemented OHSAS 18001 standard. Companies have a total of 3 years to transition from OHSAS 18001 to ISO 45001:2018. If you need assistance with such a transition, we can be of assistance.
The International Labour Organisation calculates that there are more than 2,7 million work-related deaths per year. Therefore, it is pivotal to ensure that your business adheres to the Occupational Health and Safety regulations as per the ISO 45001:2018 standard. This will reduce the risk of any work-related injuries or deaths, creating a safer workplace for your employees. If you are looking for a solution to improve your organisation’s workplace safety, we can assist with the development and implementation of an Occupational Health and Safety Management System for your business.
Businesses often underestimate the value of Occupational Health and Safety regulations. Apart from keeping the workplace safe, these regulations also ensure that your employees stay healthy when exposed to specific worksites and confined work environments. By developing and implementing a Management System in accordance with the ISO 45001:2018 standard, you can optimise the level of Health and Safety for your facilities and employees. Therefore, you can elevate your business to new levels by assuring that your workforce is safe and confident in the implemented regulations.
Training and eLearning
WWISE offers a complete eLearning platform that can educate your employees on the various elements of the ISO 45001:2018 standard. This will ensure that your employees are informed of the guidelines and regulations in relation to this specific standard. Therefore, they will be ready when you develop and implement such a Management System within your business in the near future. We can also assist in the maintenance of such a Management System, ensuring that your business stays up to date and in the loop on current Health and Safety Regulations and standards.
WWISE is your partner for ISO compliance. If you want to elevate your business to new levels, we can assist by ensuring that your organisation is compliant with various ISO standards, including the ISO 45001:2018 standard that relates to Occupational Health and Safety. For more info, please contact us today on 086 109 9473, 021 525 9159, or email us at admin@wwise.co.za.