1  Identify all tasks and roles that are required to establish, implement and improve the OH&S management system. This could include tasks, such as identification of OH&S hazards, assessment of risks, determination of controls, establishment of OH&S objectives, ensuring application of identified controls, planning, measuring and monitoring of OH&S performance, training, auditing, establishing a document control system, communicating with internal and external bodies, and ensuring regulatory compliance, etc.

2  Nominate individuals, functions and teams who shall have the responsibility and authority to undertake the defined OH&S tasks. Also, define how various roles, individuals, committees and functions are linked to each other. This can be done by any means, such as an organisation chart, a relationship chart, a process flow chart, etc.

3  The next step is to ensure that the individuals are competent to perform their assigned roles. (See Chapter 8 for competency requirements.)

4  Top management must nominate a competent person as the ‘management representative’ for the OH&S management system. They must have the authority to ensure that OH&S is established, implemented and maintained according to the requirements of OHSAS 18001. They must also report OH&S management system performance to top management for review and further improvement. Appendix K shows a sample input report, prepared by a ‘management representative’, for review by top management.

5  Some aspects of a management representative’s competence could include knowledge of occupational health and safety issues, knowledge of OHSAS 18000 standards, applicable regulatory requirements, hazard identification and risk assessment techniques, operational controls, document and record control, internal audits and good communication skills.

6  Information on the identity of the designated OH&S management representative should be communicated to all members of the organisation.