British Columbia Health & Safety Questions

Why do you need a Health & Safety Management System?  What needs to be in the program?  How do you develop and implement a program? 

These are all great and very common questions at Borealis OHS&E Solutions, we are here to help navigate you through the process.

First of all what is a Health and Safety Management System? 

It is a process put in place by an employer to minimize the risk of injury and illness.  A health & safety program is a systematic, organized approach to reducing the human and financial costs of incidents.

This is made possible by identifying, assessing and controlling risks to workers in all workplace operations. The scope and complexity of a system will vary according to the type of workplace, and the type of operations carried out.

British Columbia Health and SafetyWhat needs to be in the program? 

An effective health and safety management system must have the following 9 components in place but not limited to:

  • Identification and analysis of health and safety hazards at the work site
  • Control measures to eliminate or reduce the risks to workers from hazards
  • Clearly demonstrated and management commitment, and written company policy
  • Worker competency, orientation and training
  • Inspection program
  • Emergency response planning
  • Incident reporting and investigation
  • Management system administration
  • Joint work site health and safety committee

Why do you need a program?

Well some of the reasons for developing and implementing a Health and Safety Management System

  • Financial Benefits
  • Legal requirements
  • Moral obligations

In addition, an effective program can lead to a reduction of Workers’ Compensation assessments and insurance premiums. In general, companies with an effective program have a competitive advantage in the marketplace.  Research show that an effective health and safety program does not cost – it pays.