ISO 45001's Clause 7.2

 ISO 45001's Clause 7.2 pertains to the requirements related to "Competence." In the context of ISO 45001:2018, this clause outlines the criteria that an organization needs to address regarding the competence of its workers who perform tasks that can affect the OH&S performance.

 

Clause 7.2 - Competence:

1. Understanding and Competence (7.2.1):

Requirement: The organization shall determine the necessary competence of person(s) doing work under its control that affects its OH&S performance.

Implementation:

Identify the skills and knowledge necessary for employees to perform their duties related to occupational health and safety.

Consider the organization's context and OH&S risks and opportunities when determining competence requirements.

2. Actions to Acquire Competence (7.2.2):

Requirement: The organization shall take actions to acquire the necessary competence and evaluate the effectiveness of these actions.

Implementation:

Develop training programs or other actions to ensure that employees acquire the necessary competence.

Evaluate the effectiveness of the training or actions.

3. Worker Training and Awareness (7.2.3):

Requirement: The organization shall ensure that persons doing work under its control are aware of the OH&S policy and are competent to perform the tasks that could impact OH&S.

Implementation:

Provide training on the organization's OH&S policy and the necessary tasks related to ISO 45001 occupational health and safety management systems.

Verify that workers are competent to perform their tasks through assessment or other means.

4. Documented Information (7.2.4):

Requirement: The organization shall maintain appropriate documented information as evidence of competence.

Implementation:

Document information related to competence, such as training records, qualifications, or other evidence of employees' capabilities.

Key Considerations:

Competence Criteria:

 

Identify the criteria for determining the competence of individuals. This includes considering factors like education, training, skills, and experience relevant to the tasks they perform.

Training Programs:

 

Develop and implement training programs to address the identified competence needs. Training should cover both technical skills and awareness of OH&S policies and procedures.

Evaluation of Effectiveness:

 

Regularly assess the effectiveness of the actions taken to acquire competence. This may involve monitoring employee performance, conducting evaluations, or obtaining feedback.

Awareness of OH&S Policy:

 

Ensure that employees are not only competent in their tasks but also aware of the organization's OH&S policy. This helps in fostering a culture of safety throughout the organization.

Recordkeeping:

 

Maintain appropriate documented information as evidence of competence. This documentation serves as a record of the organization's efforts to ensure that workers are competent for their assigned tasks.

Importance:

Clause 7.2 is crucial for ensuring that individuals within the organization possess the necessary competence to carry out tasks that can impact occupational health and safety management systems ISO 45001. It contributes to the overall effectiveness of the OH&S management system by reducing the likelihood of incidents and improving the organization's ability to respond to occupational health and safety challenges. Competent workers are better equipped to identify and mitigate risks, ultimately enhancing the organization's safety performance