The OHSAS 18001 is applicable to any organization that wishes to:

• Establish an OHSMS to eliminate or minimize risk to employees and other interested parties who may be exposed to OHS risks associated with its activities
• Implement, maintain and continually improve an OHSMS
• Seek certification/registration of its OHSMS by an external organization or make a self-declaration of conformance to the OHSAS 18001

The OHSAS 18001 Specification has been developed to be compatible with the ISO 9001:1994 (Quality) and the ISO 14001:1996 (Environmental) management systems standards.

In addition to the OHSAS 18001, there is a guidance document in this series known as OHSAS 18002 Occupational Health and Safety Management Systems Guidelines for the implementation of OHSAS 18001.

Excerpts from the "Occupational health and safety management systems - Specification". London : British Standards Institution, 1999. p. 1