Safety and Health Management Systems Regulations 2009 [Safety and Health Management Systems (SHMS) Audit] took effect from 1 March 2010. Under the law, it is mandatory for the following workplaces to have their Safety and Health Management Systems (SHMS) audited by MOM approved auditors within the specified period.
Every workplace should have its Safety and Health Management System (SHMS) audited or reviewed periodically to ensure continuous improvements in their Workplace Safety & Health
A documented health and safety management system can provide:
- A framework to identify health and safety issues and assess risk in the current workplace
- Methods to eliminate the identified issues and risks
- Methods to evaluate performance against set goals
- Promotion of effective worksite-based health and safety
- Improvement in overall company performance
- Increased practical health and safety knowledge and skills
- Empowerment of employees to take an active role in their own protection to enhance the quality of employee work life.
The system should address legal requirements, all employees (part time and full time), and workplace visitors. What Benefits Can Be Realized?
The benefits of implementing an effective health and safety management include:
- Improving management commitment and employee involvement
- Providing ways to Measure the effectiveness of a health and safety program
- Improving worker protection by eliminating serious hazards
- Reducing worker risk of death, injury and illness on the job
- Reducing workers' compensation rates and other costs, lowering absenteeism, and increasing productivity and morale
- Reducing damage to company property and costs associated with idle periods
- Helping keep turnover down and attract new employees
- Stimulating employees to continually improve systems
- Improving relationship with OSHA
