OHSAS 18001:2007 4.4.1 Top management appointee

The OHSAS 18001:2007 standard refers in clause 4.4.1 "The top management appointee (e.g. in a large organization, a Board or executive committee member) may delegate some of their duties to a subordinate management representative(s) while still retaining accountability" and "The identity of the top management appointee shall be made available to all persons working under the control of the organization"

So does it mean that only a member of Top Management like directors, share holders? kindly explain.

Re: 4.4.1 Top management appointee

SATHYABALARAMAN said:

The OHSAS 18001:2007 standard refers in clause 4.4.1 "The top management appointee (e.g. in a large organization, a Board or executive committee member) may delegate some of their duties to a subordinate management representative(s) while still retaining accountability" and "The identity of the top management appointee shall be made available to all persons working under the control of the organization"

So does it mean that only a member of Top Management like directors, share holders? kindly explain.

Click to expand...

Hi Satya...
The accountability of OHSAS is with the owner of the company. OSHAS permits delegating some of the duties to an other responsible person by the owner. However the owner stands accountable.

Re: 4.4.1 Top management appointee

Thank u Mr.Somashekar, So, do we have to have any undertaking by the owner for this, as an evidence.

Re: 4.4.1 Top management appointee

SATHYABALARAMAN said:

Thank u Mr.Somashekar, So, do we have to have any undertaking by the owner for this, as an evidence.

Click to expand...

The OH&S policy takes care of this.
When all is well, there is no issue.
When a legal related OH&S incident occures, the top management stands accountable wheather you are OHSAS certified or not....

Re: 4.4.1 Top management appointee

Yep. One of my auditor asked for undertaking by our MD or a letter from board of directors that MD is accountable for OHSAS.

Re: 4.4.1 Top management appointee

SATHYABALARAMAN said:

Yep. One of my auditor asked for undertaking by our MD or a letter from board of directors that MD is accountable for OHSAS.

Click to expand...

If the MD is an employee and not a part of the accountable board of directors, then the delegation of some of the duties can be made in any form, and be documented and communicated. A letter from the board of directors can be one such. Another can be a board resolution record that is approved.
This is not the OH&S Accountability. Please make sure.
The ultimate responsibility / accountability is to the top management.

As you are from India the following may be relevant to the discussion.

As per the Factories Act 1948 the "Occupier" is responsible for the health and safety of workers while working in the factory. He/she is also responsible for issuing a Health and Safety policy and make arrangements to implement the policy. Section 2 of the Act defines "Occupier" as any one of the partners of a firm, a director of a company etc. i.e. the top management is responsible for Health and Safety of workers.

Under section 4.3.2 of OHSAS 18001 you would have identified Legal and other requirements and this requirement of the "Occupier" under the Factories Act would have been captured then.

While the top management (say a director of the Board of Directors) is ultimately responsible as per Law he may like to appoint other personnel (like Manager, under the Factories Act, Management Representative under OHSAS 18001) to implement the policy, which again is his responsibility as per law.

With kind regards,

Ramakrishnan

SATHYABALARAMAN said:

The OHSAS 18001:2007 standard refers in clause 4.4.1 "The top management appointee (e.g. in a large organization, a Board or executive committee member) may delegate some of their duties to a subordinate management representative(s) while still retaining accountability" and "The identity of the top management appointee shall be made available to all persons working under the control of the organization"

So does it mean that only a member of Top Management like directors, share holders? kindly explain.

Click to expand...

Appointment in writing is not necessary and is not required by 18001. However, prudence says that its a good idea to put it in writing so you do not run into the problem "well, s.. a.., we require it to be in writing" when (if) you get audited by big clients.

Hi Sathya.S,

Director, VP, Manager, President: titles of people bestowed with 'management roles/functions'; functions of management could be summarised into: Planning, Organising/Delegating, Leading/Deployment and Controlling (PLOC). Only those personnel with such functions,skills and knowledge can ensure that OH&S is established, implemented and maintained; henceforth the 4.4.1 requirement in OHSAS 18K