Niosh calls on organisations to adopt integrated management system
KUCHING: The Nat iona l Institute of Occupational Safety and Health ( Niosh) has called on organisations to adopt an integrated management system ( IMS) to avoid duplication of works and increased audit costs, time, and workload.
Niosh chairman Tan Sri Lee Lam Thye warned public agencies and private companies would face problems if they implemented different management systems at the same time.
“Organisations have always tried to f ind a solut ion 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, compared with a diverse management system,” Lee said when handing over ISO 14001 and OHSAS 18001 certificates from NIOSH Certification Sdn Bhd to LONGI ( Kuching) Sdn Bhd yesterday.
He explained that Section 15 (2)(a) of the Occupational Safety and Health Act (Osha) 1994 requires the provision and maintenance of plant and systems of work that are, so far as is practicable, safe and without risks to health.
He a l so poi nted out t he implementation of management systems under ISO 9001, ISO 14001 and OHSAS 18001 certifications is a requirement for business continuity and those implementing them would enjoy various benefits such as reduction in operating costs, image enhancement, and competitive advantage.
He a l s o r emi nd e d a l l organisations which have been certified with OHSAS 18001 that they have until March 12, 2021 to migrate to ISO 45001.
Lee commended LONGI ’ s management for obtaining all three main certifications namely ISO 14001, OHSAS 18001, and ISO 9001.
“Having such important certifications proves that its management is committed to ensure 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 said.
LONGI (Kuching) Sdn Bhd chief executive officer Ngieng Sii Jing said the young company has a workforce of 2,600 Malaysians.
He s a id a s the company continues to grow, it is important that proper management systems are in place for the company to move forward.
Ngieng added meeting al l statutory requirements wi l l better enable the company to improve its implementations in a continuous cycle as LONGI seeks to accomplish long-term success in Kuching.
ISO 45001 is the first global standard for OSH and was developed by a committee of OSH experts from over 70 countries, which fol lows other generic management system approaches such as ISO 14001 and ISO 9001.
It adopts a risk-based approach that ensures it is ef fective and undergoes cont inuous improvement to mee t the ever- changing needs of an organisation.