Ireland adopts the OSH-MS Guidelines

Ireland became the first EU country to formally recognise the ILO guidelines on occupational safety and health management systems (ILO-OSH 2001) on 30 November 2004, showing its commitment to improve working conditions and reduce occupational accidents and diseases. The Health and Safety Authority will take account of the International Labour Organization guidelines as a framework document which will be considered by the Health and Safety Authority when drafting guidance material.

Whilst several Asian countries (Indonesia, Malaysia, China) and multi-nationals (ABB, Volkswagen, and a number of high profile enterprises in Japan follow the JISHA and similar tailored guidelines, such as Toyota) follow the principles of ILO-OSH 2001, the impact of Ireland adopting ILO-OSH 2001 could push other EU member States and enterprises of European origin to follow suite.