OHSAS 18001 Course

Lesson 1 • Key OHS Concepts and Terminology

Defines hazard, risk, incident, near-miss, and control as used throughout OHSAS 18001. Precise terminology prevents misinterpretation during implementation.

Lesson 2 • Stakeholder Roles in OHS

Identifies internal and external stakeholders and their OHS obligations. Understanding stakeholder dynamics is essential for building an effective management system.

Lesson 3 • Workplace Safety Fundamentals

Covers core OHS concepts, terminology, and the cost of workplace incidents. Provides the vocabulary needed for all subsequent OHSAS 18001 study.

Lesson 1 • Certification Process Overview

Outlines the stages from gap analysis to third-party certification audit. Students understand the organisational commitment required before beginning implementation.

Lesson 2 • Purpose and Scope of OHSAS 18001

Explains what OHSAS 18001 requires and which organisations it applies to. Clarifies the standard's boundaries and intended outcomes.

Lesson 3 • Structure of the Standard

Maps the clause-by-clause architecture of OHSAS 18001. Students gain a navigational framework for deeper study of each requirement.

Lesson 4 • Integration with Other Standards

Examines compatibility between OHSAS 18001, ISO 9001, and ISO 14001. Integrated management systems reduce duplication and improve organisational efficiency.

Lesson 1 • Worker Participation and Consultation

Explains the standard's requirements for involving workers in OHS decisions. Active participation improves hazard identification and increases policy buy-in.

Lesson 2 • Communicating the OHS Policy

Covers methods for making the policy visible and understood at all organisational levels. Effective communication transforms a written policy into lived practice.

Lesson 3 • Requirements for an OHS Policy

Details the mandatory content elements of an OHSAS 18001-compliant OHS policy. A well-crafted policy sets the strategic direction for the entire management system.

Lesson 1 • Scope and Boundary Considerations

Addresses how to define the assessment scope including contractors, visitors, and off-site activities. Incomplete scope is a leading cause of audit nonconformities.

Lesson 2 • Hazard Identification Methodologies

Introduces structured techniques for identifying workplace hazards across all activity types. Thorough identification is the foundation of every subsequent risk control decision.

Lesson 3 • Risk Assessment Techniques

Covers qualitative and semi-quantitative methods for evaluating identified risks. Students select appropriate techniques based on hazard complexity and available data.

Lesson 4 • Legal and Other Requirements

Explains how to identify applicable OHS legal obligations and incorporate them into risk assessments. Compliance gaps identified here feed directly into the planning process.

Lesson 1 • Contractor and Supplier Controls

Establishes requirements for managing OHS risks introduced by contractors and suppliers. Extending controls beyond direct employees is a key OHSAS 18001 obligation.

Lesson 2 • Management of Change

Covers the process for assessing OHS impacts before implementing organisational or operational changes. Unmanaged change is a primary trigger for new hazards and incidents.

Lesson 3 • Safe Work Procedures Development

Guides students through writing clear, task-specific safe work procedures. Well-written procedures reduce human error and provide a basis for training and auditing.

Lesson 4 • Hierarchy of Controls

Explains the five-level control hierarchy from elimination to personal protective equipment. Selecting higher-order controls produces more reliable and lasting risk reduction.

Lesson 1 • External OHS Communication

Addresses communication with contractors, visitors, regulators, and the public on OHS matters. The standard requires a documented decision on what external OHS information to share.

Lesson 2 • Internal OHS Communication

Establishes processes for sharing OHS information across organisational levels and functions. Consistent internal communication prevents information silos that lead to unsafe conditions.

Lesson 3 • Competence Requirements Under OHSAS 18001

Defines what competence means in the OHS context and how the standard requires it to be demonstrated. Competence gaps directly increase incident likelihood and audit findings.

Lesson 1 • Electronic Document Management Systems

Examines the use of digital platforms to manage OHS documentation efficiently. Electronic systems improve version control and accessibility but require validation and access controls.

Lesson 2 • Records Management and Retention

Establishes how OHS records are created, stored, protected, and disposed of. Proper records management provides evidence of conformance during audits and investigations.

Lesson 3 • Document Control Procedures

Covers approval, versioning, distribution, and obsolescence management for OHS documents. Controlled documents ensure workers always access current, authorised information.

Lesson 1 • Internal Audit Programme

Explains how to plan, conduct, and report internal OHS audits against OHSAS 18001 requirements. A rigorous internal audit programme identifies nonconformities before external auditors do.

Lesson 2 • Monitoring and Measurement Procedures

Covers the design of systematic monitoring activities including inspections, sampling, and equipment calibration. Reliable data depends on consistent, documented measurement methods.

Lesson 3 • Management Review Process

Details the inputs, outputs, and frequency requirements for the management review meeting. Management review closes the PDCA loop and authorises resources for continual improvement.

Lesson 4 • Incident Investigation and Analysis

Provides a structured approach to investigating incidents, near-misses, and ill-health cases. Root cause analysis transforms incidents into learning opportunities that prevent recurrence.