The award represents an international occupational Health and Safety management system specification that has been developed to be compatible with the ISO 9001 (Quality) and ISO 14001 (Environmental) management systems standards.
The OHSAS specification gives requirements for an occupational Health and Safety (OH&S) management system, enabling Ward Security to control its OH&S risks and improve its performance.
“The standard provides a comprehensive specification to ensure that all aspects of the business are considered and managed,” said Nikhil Kamboj, associate director of compliance and IT at the company. It also shows that we are doing everything that’s required from an employer’s point of view in respect of our workforce.”
Kamboj added: “While gaining this accreditation has involved considerable effort on our part, we believe that our customers will derive many benefits from the work that we have put in. It’s all about creating a safe working environment.”
Focus on continual improvements
The OHSAS specification is focused on continuous improvement, and the company has put plans in place to regularly measure the effectiveness of the standard.
“18001 illustrates to customers that we as a business are working to world class standards on a day-to-day basis,” explained Kamboj, “and working both safely and effectively. It shows that as a security company we are prepared to go above and beyond the boundaries of what we are expected to do.”
It took some three months to prepare for the certification process, although many of the procedures had already been put into place. “There were no significant internal changes made to achieve the standard,” explained Kamboj, “just some minor improvements recommended to existing good management practices.”
In conclusion, Kamboj told Info4Security: “OHSAS 18001 certification is becoming increasingly important in the security market, and is regarded as more of an operating standard that clients demand to show we are looking after our employees. Increasingly, it’s a tick-box item on tender documents. To show that we have the standard – and are continuing to operate to it – gives us a competitive edge over our rivals in the market.”
