KUCHING, Feb 20: Government agencies and private companies should consider adopting an integrated management system (IMS) to avoid duplication of work that lead to increased audit costs, time and workload.
National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) chairman Tan Sri Lee Lam Thye said organisations in both public and private sectors would face problems if they continue to implement different management systems at the same time.
He cited the implementation of diverse management systems such as the Environmental Management Systems (ISO 14001) and the Occupational Safety & Health Management Systems (OHSAS 18001) as an example that needed an integrated approach.
“Organisations have always tried to find a solution to occupational safety and health (OSH) problems, and the emergence of IMS is a good solution as it combines the same elements among the systems.
“IMS is a combination of processes, procedures and practices that will help make an organisation more efficient in achieving its goals and policies when compared with a diverse management system,” he said at the ISO 14001 and OHSAS 18001 certificates presentation ceremony to LONGi (Kuching) Sdn Bhd here today.
LONGi Kuching chief executive officer Ngieng Sii Jing, NIOSH Certification general manager Syamsul Zahrin Zainudin and state Fire and Rescue Department director Khirudin Drahman were present.
Lee said the requirement for OSH Management System in an organisation is stated under Section 15 (2)(a) of the Occupational Safety and Health Act (OSHA) 1994, which requires a provision and maintenance of plants and systems of work that are, so far as is practicable, safe and without risks to health.
At the same time, he said the implementation of management systems under ISO 9001 (quality management system), ISO 14001 and OHSAS 18001 certifications was a requirement for business continuity, and those who implemented them would enjoy benefits such as the reduction in operating costs, image enhancement and competitive advantage.
He also reminded all organisations, which have been certified with OHSAS 18001, that they had only until March 12, 2021, to migrate to ISO 45001.
ISO 45001 is the first global standard for OSH and was developed by a committee of OSH experts from more than 70 countries. It follows other generic management system approaches such as ISO 14001 and ISO 9001.
“It adopts a risk-based approach that ensures it is effective and undergoes continuous improvement to meet the ever-changing needs of an organisation,” he said.
Lee also commended LONGi Kuching management for their effort to obtain all three main certifications namely ISO 14001, OHSAS 18001 and ISO 9001.
“Having such important certifications proves that its management is committed to ensuring the quality of products and customer satisfaction, which are the main goals of an organisation as required under ISO 9001.
“At the same time, LONGi is also committed to help preserve the environment by obtaining the ISO 14001. This proactive step will ensure that LONGi could fulfil the Occupational Safety and Health requirements for its staff, contractors and other relevant parties,” he continued.
Meanwhile, Ngieng described LONGi Kuching as a young company with a workforce of 2,600 Malaysian employees.
“As the company continues to grow, it is important that proper management systems are in place for the company to move forward.
“Meeting all statutory requirements will better enable the company to improve its implementations in a continuous cycle as LONGi established long-term success in Kuching,” he said. — DayakDaily
