1.The implementation of an OH&S management system is a strategic decision for an organization, and can be used to support its sustainability initiatives.

2.An organization’s activities can pose a risk of ill-health or accidents, resulting in a serious impairment of health; consequently it is important for the organization to eliminate or minimize OH&S risks by taking appropriate preventive measures.

3. This can include, for example, keeping its people well informed about the OH&S risks and by ensuring they are competent to do their assigned tasks When translated by the organization’s OH&S management system into an ongoing process (supported by the use of appropriate methods and tools, at all levels in the organization) it can reinforce the organization’s commitment to proactively improving its OH&S performance.

4. The level of detail, the complexity, the extent of documented information, and the resources needed for an organizations OH&S management system will depend on a number of factors, such as:

     the organization’s context (its size, its geography, its culture, its social conditions, its legal and other requirements);

    the scope of its OH&S management system;

    the nature of its activities, its services, and its OH&S risks.

 This can be the case in particular for small and medium sized enterprises.

It is possible for an organization to adapt its existing management system(s) in order to establish an OH&S management system that conforms to the requirements of this International Standard.