What is a management system?

A management system provides a process-oriented approach to documenting and reviewing the structure, responsibilities, and procedures required to achieve effective management of the organisation as a whole. Management systems are often based on standards such as ISO 9001 or AS/NZS ISO 45001 and can be certified to attest to their compliance with a standard. For example, an occupational health and safety management system (OHSMS) helps an organisation control its occupational health and safety risks.

Management system contents

Every business has different needs, and the complexity of the system will depend on each organisation's size and complexity. Smaller businesses may only require good leadership and clear policies and procedures for employees without the need for extensive documentation. Larger, more complex businesses may require extensive documentation and controls to fulfil legal obligations and meet organisational objectives.

Elements of SafetyCulture Management Systems include:

• Leadership involvement & responsibilities
• Identification & compliance with legislation
• Communication with stakeholders
• Identification & assessment of hazards and risks
• Documentation & records management
• Documented procedures
• Change management
• Operational Controls
• Emergency preparedness
• Monitoring and reviews
• Work Control, Permit to Work & Risk Management
• Contractor selection & management
• Incident Reporting & Investigation
• Audit Management System review & Intervention

Management systems provide a process-oriented approach to documenting & reviewing the structure, responsibilities, & procedures required to achieve effective management. 

A management system provides a process-oriented approach to documenting and reviewing the structure, responsibilities, and procedures required to achieve effective management.

Benefits of a Documented Management System

A management system will help you manage your business easier and more effectively and positively influence your business in numerous ways.

• Increased compliance

  No matter your industry, there are rules and regulations you must follow. Good management systems will help your business comply with regulations in your industry and help avoid fines and non-compliance.

• Improved efficiency

  You can manage your business easier and more effectively with a management system in place. By providing measurable systems that can verify performance, you will reduce the number of potential incidents (and more easily correct and recover from these incidents).

• Higher productivity

  The overall productivity of your team can increase because your staff can more easily maintain safer and more controlled systems of work.

• Gain more business

  Get an increase in confidence in your business, attracting collaborations with larger companies and government agencies. Having effective management systems in place demonstrates your commitment to quality and enables you to enhance your organisation's reputation.

Standards For Management Systems

There are multiple management systems standards (MSS) worldwide. Applicable across multiple industries, these standards can be used as a framework for your system, no matter the size of the organisation.

Many ISO management standards have a similar structure and contain many of the same terms and requirements. Having similar structure makes it easy to integrate multiple standards into one system.

Some commonly used ISO MSS in Australia, New Zealand and throughout the world are:

• AS/NZS ISO 9001:2016 | Quality management systems

  The ISO 9000 family is the quality management standard and guides businesses by equipping them with the tools to improve quality and ensure that customer demands are met. This standard provides a process-oriented approach to documenting and reviewing the structure, responsibilities, and procedures required to achieve effective quality management.

  View a sample of our quality management system

• AS/NZS ISO 14001:2016 | Environmental management systems

  The ISO 14000 family is for businesses and organisations that require practical tools to manage their environmental responsibilities. This standard can assure management and employees as well as external stakeholders that environmental impact is being measured and improved.

  View a sample of our environmental management system

• AS/NZS ISO 45001:2018 Occupational health and safety management systems

  ISO 45001 is the worlds first international OH&S management system. Adopted by Australia and New Zealand in 2018 in now supersedesAS/NZS 4801 as the Australian Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) standard. This standard follows the approach of ISO 14001 and ISO 9001 and intends to assure that OH&S factors are being managed and improved.

  View a sample of our OHS/WHS Management system

• AS/NZS 4801:2001 (available superseded in Australia) Occupational health and safety management systems

  In late 2019AS/NZS 4801:2001 was superseded in Australia by AS/NZS ISO 45001:2018 and Australian companies certified to AS/NZS 4801will require transitioning to AS/NZS ISO 45001 by October 2021. AS/NZS is still currently listed as an active standard in New Zealand as of 02/03/2020, but it is anticipated that it will follow the Australian example an transition to the new 45001 series.

Available for instant download and supplied in fully editable MS Word format for use in your business.

Looking for an integrated (OHS, Environmental & Quality) management system? check out our range of Integrated Systems