Global Community

Last week, we looked at Clause 6.1.3 Determination of legal requirements and other requirements This week we shall take a look at Clause 6.1.4 Planning action

Clause 6.1.4 Planning action

Excerpts from the standard

The organisation shall plan:

1. Actions to:

1. Address these risks and opportunities (see 6.1.2.2 and 6.1.2.3)

2. Address legal requirements and other requirements ( see 6.1.3)

3. Prepare for and respond to emergency situations ( see 8.2)

2. How to:

1. Integrate and implement the actions into its OH&S management system processes or other business processes.

2. Evaluate the effectiveness of the actions

The organization shall take into account the hierarchy of controls ( see 8.1.2) and output from OH&S management system when planning to take action.

When planning its actions , the organization shall consider best practices, technological options and financial , operational and business requirements.

This clause is about actually doing something about what you have learned in the preceding clauses. The first three statements from the standard have made it easy by pointing you to where to refer to implement the requirements:

• 6.1.2.2 Assessment of OH&S risks and other risks to the OH&S management system

• 6.1.2.3 Assessment of OH&S opportunities and other opportunities for the OH&S management system

• 6.1.3 Determination of legal requirements and other requirements

• 8.2 Emergency preparedness and response

Remember, potential emergency situations have earlier been determined in Clause 6.1 (Actions to address risks and opportunities) and 6.1.2.1 (Hazard identification). Our responsibility, therefore, is to come up with actions to address these risks and opportunities.

Once you identify the risks, you must determine how you are going to implement the control measures and evaluate the effectiveness of these controls. We are told that this becomes a part of our OH&S management system, including its processes, procedures, and policies. It becomes part of our business.

To measure effectiveness, therefore, we use Clause 9.1 (Monitoring, measurement, analysis, and performance evaluation) and Clause 9.2 (Internal audit).

The hierarchy of controls must be followed in order to determine and implement the control measures while considering best practices, technological options, and financial, operational, and business requirements.

This points us to Clause 8.1.2 (Eliminating hazards and reducing OH&S risks). This is where we prioritize more effective controls in the hierarchy of controls.

Next week, we shall look at Clause 6.2: OH&S objectives and planning to achieve them

Thank you! I appreciate your warm wishes and look forward to hearing your thoughts

 

 

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Nosakhare Aisagbonhi Irabor
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