ISO 45001 Clause 6.2 OH&S objectives and planning to achieve them

This article covers clause 6.2 OH&S objectives and planning to achieve them. This clause is going to be broken down and turned into something you can all understand.  You’ll then be able to apply this to your own organization's system and understand what the requirements will look like for you.  No more guessing!  Keep on reading as I can show you just how easy this is!

Ok, let’s get started! Let’s take a look at what Clause 6.2 wants us to do. There are a couple of subclauses in 6.2 so I will break each of them down separately for you.  

Now, subclause 6.2.1 is all about the establishment of the OH&S objectives. And by the way, you can call them anything you want – objectives, goals, targets, KPIs – this is completely up to you. For consistency, I’ll refer to them as objectives throughout this article.

This subclause states that:

The organization shall establish OH&S objectives at relevant functions and levels in order to maintain and continually improve the OH&S management system and OH&S performance.

When I read this, I see that these objectives aren’t just high-level corporate objectives or just operational objectives. These objectives are to be established at relevant functions and levels of the OH&S management system. So, you might start with the corporate OH&S objectives and then they should filter down to each department or function in the business and even where they apply to processes of the business.

As an example, if one of the company OH&S objectives is to have 100% of workers across all departments trained in the new OH&S management system by November 30th, 2023, there would be several departments or functions that would also require objectives set to be able to meet this objective. Each department could then set its own objectives to ensure its team was trained by the November 30 deadline. Their objectives might be to train the Project Managers by September 30, train the Site Administrators by October 30, and then finally train the workers on project sites including contractors by November 30. 

Now, moving along in clause 6.2.1 it does state that:

The OH&S objectives shall:

a) be consistent with the OH&S policy

(Be sure to check out our video for Clause 5.2 OH&S Policy if you need a refresher.)

Well, look at that - When we set our OH&S objectives they need to somehow align with our intent and commitment that we documented in our OH&S policy. I would hope so!

What a great way to ensure that our intent from our policy is met. 

Then:

b) states that the OH&S objectives are to be measurable or capable of performance evaluation.

Another stroke of genius!

Of course, when objectives are set you need to be able to measure them or evaluate the extent to which they are being achieved.

It’s no good setting an objective and you’re not able to monitor it. Make sure you collect the data and can generate the reports needed to track how well you are going in achieving your objectives. Otherwise, you don’t have a clue where you’re at. And then also to make your objectives measurable it’s important to have a timeframe. A timeframe that you want to achieve your objective by – just like in the example I used earlier with all training to be conducted by November 30th.

Then you know what you want to achieve and by when.

I’m sure you’ve all heard of SMART goals, this helps you to set Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Realistic, and Timely goals. 

Then:

c) states to take into account

1) applicable requirements

2) the results of the assessment of risks and opportunities (see 6.1.2.2 and 6.1.2.3)

3) the results of consultation with workers (see 5.4) and, where they exist, workers’ representatives;

First up, what are these applicable requirements?

Well, we will determine these applicable requirements as other clauses are actioned throughout the Standard. For instance, when you understand the needs and expectations of workers and other interested parties, as per clause 4.2, you may identify some applicable requirements based on what your interested parties expect from you.

If this is the case, wouldn’t it be beneficial to set an objective to ensure that this is met – and met to a standard and timeframe that’s expected? For example, an interested party is your workers, and they expect that they go home safe and healthy each day. So as per my previous example, set an objective to ensure that training is provided within a set timeframe. Another clause where you will identify applicable requirements is in Clause 6.1.3 Determination of legal requirements and other requirements. 

As an example, here at Auditor Training Online, we have to meet compliance requirements for our training so that the assessments meet Exemplar Global criteria, of which we are audited. So, an objective for us is 100% compliance with Exemplar Global performance criteria for each annual audit. And of course, please ensure that your consultation outcomes covered in clause 5.4 are considered – wherever any type of risk or opportunity is identified, wrap it up in an objective so that it is clear and understood across the entire business. It’s something solid to aim for!

Right, then we move to:

d) be monitored

This is handy of course! If you’re going to set objectives, you need to monitor them to see the extent to which you’re meeting them. Are you on track? If not, what can you do differently so that you can make changes in enough time to meet your objective by the set timeframe?

Then this clause goes on to state:

e) be communicated

That’s it – just communicated, so this clause doesn’t provide any other ‘hints’ as to who to or how often, etc. however this does align with Clause 7.4 Communication where it is up to the organization to determine what, when, with whom, who and how to communicate.

So, if we apply the knowledge from clause 7.4 it is up to the organization to determine the communication requirements of the OH&S objectives…. although clause 7.3 Awareness does include the statement that Workers shall be made aware of the OH&S objectives. So that’s a big hint for you. If workers are to be aware of OH&S objectives there’s our answer right there as to what is to be communicated as part of clause 6.2 OH&S objectives.

It is also a requirement:

f) be updated as appropriate

Meaning as, or when the objectives do need to be updated as a result of a change in the business then do it. Objectives may not always stay the same. As the business changes, activities change, locations change, and tools and equipment change so this will influence the objectives that have been set too. 

Now we can move to subclause 6.2.2 Planning to achieve OH&S objectives. This subclause states that:

When planning how to achieve its OH&S objectives, the organization shall determine

a) what will be done

b) what resources will be required

c) who will be responsible

d) when it will be completed

e) how the results will be evaluated, including indicators for monitoring

f) how the actions to achieve OH&S objectives will be integrated into the organization’s business processes.

I love this!

This means that the OH&S objectives that we set, and document, aren’t to sit on the shelf and gather dust. Or they’re not to be pinned to the wall so everyone can walk past and just get a warm fuzzy feeling. Not at all!

You actually have to figure out what actions you are going to take to achieve the objectives, who is going to be responsible for these actions, and whether you need any other resources (such as people, knowledge, skills, equipment, training, and so on).

We’ve already talked about setting a timeframe for these objectives as part of being measurable which aligns nicely with the requirement for determining when the objectives will be completed by. Now, you just have to figure out how you will evaluate and monitor the results of the objectives to see how you are tracking with the objective set within the timeframe set. 

And don’t forget one of my favorite statements in the Standards is that 'these actions to achieve the objectives will be integrated into the existing business processes'. There shouldn’t be a separate corner of the office for the objectives and their actions – embed the actions in existing processes so the culture of ‘this is just how we do things around here’ is created.

The final requirement in section 6.2.2 is:

The organization shall maintain and retain documented information on the OH&S objectives and plans to achieve them.

Ok, now that we understand what is needed, now we know that these OH&S objectives as well as the plans and strategies on how they will be achieved are to be documented. 

So, what does all of this normally look like when it’s documented? Normally what I see with the audit clients I visit is a table or matrix of some description. The objective is documented including what is to be achieved and by when – this could be in a single column or over a couple of columns, with the timeframe separated. Then there are additional columns that reference the strategy of what will be done – now this could be as simple as referencing a procedure or procedures. Other columns then might list who’s responsible and then the monitoring or measurement that will be conducted – which may reference different reports or statistics.

Ok, that’s a great start, we now have documented OH&S objectives as well as a plan on how they will be achieved. Develop what works for you – keep it simple, real, and relevant to the scope of YOUR system and how you normally document within the business.

Now that you have a better understanding of these requirements, it's time to take action and implement them in your own organization and ISO 45001 OH&S management systems.

If you'd like to learn more about ISO 45001, why not take a look at our other articles on the topic, starting with What is ISO 45001 and OHS Management Systems?

If you prefer watching over reading, head to our ATOLTV ISO 45001 playlist on YouTube, either way, be sure to check out our range of ISO 45001 OH&S management systems courses and qualifications today.