Safety Management Systems in Manufacturing Industry: Benefits of OSHAS 18001

Introduction: Different management tools can be used to fulfil legislation needs and company’s demands in order to mitigate workplace risks effectively. OHSAS 18001 is the dominant international standard for evaluating safety management systems. However, it has been also criticised having a tendency to increase the bureaucratisation of OHS issues. The aim of the current research was to estimate the safety performance in Estonian manufacturing industry and determine the benefits of OHSAS 18001 certification (OHSAS). Material and Methods: During 2014, sixteen Estonian enterprises participated in the study: 8 OHSAS firms (group I) + 4 firms which belong to a larger corporation but are not OHSAS certified (group II) + 4 non-certified, locally established and owned firms (group III). Quantitative statistical analysis and 25 qualitative interviews were conducted using MISHA audit method by Kuusisto (2000). The authors stated 11 hypotheses (benefits from OHSAS). Results: The total activity scores (0…100, by MISHA) varied 73.94…93.33 for group I, 79.80…88.08 for group II and 29.09…52.73 for group III firms. This demonstrates that normally, firms who have implemented OHSAS, benefit from it in safety performance. However, the scores also show that group II firms can function almost as safely. We can provide support for all hypothesis (Hotelling’s T-square test statistic) except H7 and H10 while comparing OHSAS firms with group III. Comparing OHSAS firms with group II, none of the hypothesis were supported. This demonstrates that level of OHS management in these firms is compatible with OHSAS firms. Safety depend strongly on consistency: it needs commitment and systematic approach. The study indicated that implementation of OHSAS automatically will not ensure high safety activities. However, holding an OHSAS certificate, creates a basis for a systematic work of safety management, hazards identification and prevention, and promotes strong improvement process put in use.