Why OHSAS 18001:2007 makes no reference to 'Targets' associated with Objectives?

[samsung]

The older version of OHSAS (1999) did make a reference to 'Targets' associated with 'Objectives' but the new version (2007) doesn't talk about targets. It says only 'Objectives & Programs'.

Most other management systems like 9001 & 14001 do talk about 'Objectives & Targets'.

What was the basic idea behind not having 'Targets' in respect of safety related objectives ?

Valuable inputs are welcomed.

Best regards,

[harry]

Objectives are OH&S performance goals that organizations set for themselves and wish to achieve. Isn't the same as 'target'?

Let's see what others have to add.

[Respicious]

there is no sense for thast reference in my understanding because for any functioning system ob jectives have to be SMART. and the issue of TARGET is spelt in that SMART.
by having a target would be a repetition
Respicious

[Steve Prevette]

As a person who follow's Dr. Deming's 14 Points, I am extremely pleased to hear about any reference to "targets" being disposed of. The more generic phrase allows those who use SPC for trending and establishment of goals to be able to "legally" do that without having a numerical target specified.

[samsung]

Originally Posted by Respicious

there is no sense for that reference in my understanding because for any functioning system objectives have to be SMART. and the issue of TARGET is spelt in that SMART.
by having a target would be a repetition
Respicious

In SMART, 'T', in my opinion, refers to 'Time bound plan' which may be a part of any particular objective.

Secondly, 'Target' is not a repetitive term since it is not synonymous to an objective which is quite close to 'INTENTION' (Ref: Merium Webster Thesaurus) while a Target is 'an objective towards which efforts are directed'. Hence, in nut shell, a 'Target' is a point to shoot at and with this definition, the 'Point' in question is the 'Objective'.

OK, even if we ignore the difference between the two, my question is why other standards have treated them separately.

Hope to have more thoughts from other experts.

Regards,

[Jim Wynne]

Originally Posted by samsung

In SMART, 'T', in my opinion, refers to 'Time bound plan' which may be a part of any particular objective.

Secondly, 'Target' is not a repetitive term since it is not synonymous to an objective which is quite close to 'INTENTION' (Ref: Merium Webster Thesaurus) while a Target is 'an objective towards which efforts are directed'. Hence, in nut shell, a 'Target' is a point to shoot at and with this definition, the 'Point' in question is the 'Objective'.

OK, even if we ignore the difference between the two, my question is why other standards have treated them separately.

Hope to have more thoughts from other experts.

Regards,

You have to be careful when using a thesaurus. While some pairs of synonyms have the same basic meaning (denotation), there are sometimes subtle differences in the way they're used (connotation). Just because a pair of words are listed as synonyms in a thesaurus doesn't mean that they're interchangeable in all contexts. Moreover, the list of synonyms you'll find under a given entry word shouldn't be considered exhaustive or exclusive.

There is no significant difference between "objective" (what you hope to achieve) and "target" (what you're aiming for) in the sense used in the standard, and using two different terms to mean the same thing causes confusion, which is probably why "target" was dropped in the case you're asking about.

Below are the entries for the words "target" and "objective" in the American Heritage Dictionary, 4th edition. See sense #4 for the former and #2 for the latter.

(Target) 1a. An object, such as a padded disk with a marked surface, that is shot at to test accuracy in rifle or archery practice. b. Something aimed or fired at. 2. An object of criticism or attack. 3. One to be influenced or changed by an action or event. 4. A desired goal. 5. A railroad signal that indicates the position of a switch by its color, position, and shape. 6. The sliding sight on a surveyor's leveling rod. 7. A small round shield. 8a. A structure in a television camera tube with a storage surface that is scanned by an electron beam to generate a signal output current similar to the charge-density pattern stored on the surface. b. A usually metal part in an x-ray tube on which a beam of electrons is focused and from which x-rays are emitted.

(Objective)1. Something that actually exists. 2. Something worked toward or striven for; a goal. See synonyms at intention. 3. Grammar a. The objective case. b. A noun or pronoun in the objective case. 4. The lens or lens system in a microscope or other optical instrument that first receives light rays from the object and forms the image. Also called object glass, objective lens, object lens.

[samsung]

Thank you Sir, for the explanation which I do agree with in its entirety but, with all due regards, what still bothers me is that the word 'target' has been dropped from the latest OHSAS standard released in 2007 but the same word is retained in 9001 released in late 2008.

Best regards,

[Jim Wynne]

Originally Posted by samsung

Thank you Sir, for the explanation which I do agree with in its entirety but, with all due regards, what still bothers me is that the word 'target' has been dropped from the latest OHSAS standard released in 2007 but the same word is retained in 9001 released in late 2008.

Best regards,

ISO 9001 is an ISO-produced document; OHSAS is not. It's probably a bit much to expect that documents produced by different sources would be in complete harmony.