7.3 Awareness [ISO 45001 Procedure]

Awareness of What, Specificaly?

You should ensure that people are aware of:

1. The health and safety policies
2. Relevant health and safety objectives
3. Their contribution to the effectiveness of the health and safety
4. Benefits of improved performance
5. The implications of not conforming to OH&S Management System requirements

OH&S Awareness Training

Awareness training does not need to be in the form of long classroom sessions. Training techniques can include short segments supplemented with videos and hands-on demonstrations that address key elements of the OH&S Management System.

Other methods of promoting and reinforcing the health and safety awareness training sessions include communication via electronic bulletin boards, posters, newsletters, and informational meetings.

The requirements for general awareness training apply to all employees including those whose work may cause safety risks. Awareness training is intended to provide an overview of the organization’s health and safety policy, objectives and targets, and overall OH&S Management System.

Awareness Training Requirements

Your Organization Must ‘establish and maintain procedures to make its employees and members at each relevant function and level aware of’:

1. The importance of conformance with the policy and the OH&S Management System procedures and requirements
2. The actual and the potentially significant impacts and risks of the activities, products, and/or services
3. The benefits of improved personal performance
4. The employees’ roles and responsibilities in achieving conformance with policies and procedures
5. The employees’ roles and responsibilities towards emergency preparedness and response
6. The potential consequences of departure from specified operating procedures

Further Awareness Training Material

1. The organization’s objectives and targets
2. The employees’ actions to minimize/eliminate impacts and risks and how they can contribute
3. The importance of compliance with operational and regulatory requirements
4. The overall improvement of the OH&S Management System performance and the potential financial return
5. The importance to interested parties

The awareness training does not need to follow the format of long classroom sessions. Training techniques can include short training segments supplemented with videos and hands-on demonstrations that address key elements of the OH&S Management System. Methods to promote and reinforce awareness training sessions include email, posters on message boards, newsletters and staff meetings.