Unit 1 - Health and Safety Management Systems    




In this unit, you will...

  1. Explore learning outcomes, key concepts, digging deeper, and glossary terms for this module (Please review the glossary at the top righthand corner of every lesson)
  2. Explore the eight elements of a health and safety management system.
  3. Understand the safety implications of the eight elements of a health and safety management system.
  4. Review the content and concepts through a self-check at the end of Unit 1.
  5. Review glossary terms through a self-check at the end of the unit.
  6. Complete a quiz based on glossary terms and key concepts from Unit 1.

 The Big Ideas - Learning Outcomes 

  1. Identify the eight elements of a health and safety management system. 
  2. Understand the safety implications of the eight elements of  a health and safety management system.
  1. Describe and explain Element 1: Management Commitment to Workplace Safety.
  2. Describe and explain Element 2: Hazard Identification and Assessment.
  3. Describe and explain Element 3: Hazard Controls. 
  4. Describe and explain Element 4: Ongoing Inspections. 
  5. Describe and explain Element 5: Qualifications Assessment and Training.
  6. Describe and explain Element 6: Emergency Response Planning.
  7. Describe and explain Element 7: Incident Reporting and investigation.
  8. Describe and explain Element 8: Health and Safety Management Administration.
  9. Understand the importance of a Health & Safety Management System (HSMS).

Key Concepts 

  •  A Health and Safety Management system is a process put in place to reduce injury and illness in the workplace
  • When an effective Health and Safety Management System is in place, the human and financial costs of workplace injuries will be reduced.
  • Health and Safety Management systems are seen as an investment as they help reduce costs and increase productivity and profits
  • A workplace Health and Safety Management system can be effective only if employers, supervisors and workers each do their part.
  •  The eight elements of a Health and Safety Management System are considered essential and form the basis of the HSMS.
  •  Effective Health and Safety Management Systems save time and money by putting controls into place to reduce hazards; identifying hazards at your work site; ensuring workers receive adequate training; and planning for emergency situations
  •  A well built Health and Safety Management System (HSMS) can also reduce injuries by implementing incident investigations to identify why an incident occurred and what to do to prevent it from happening again.
  •  Management leadership and commitment is needed to implement and maintain an effective workplace health and safety program.
  •  Ongoing inspections, incident reporting/Investigation and HSMS administration are additional elements of a Health and Safety Management system.