Outline the possible advantages AND disadvantages of such a change. (10)

Advantages includes:

- The move from ILO OHS 2001 model to BS OHSAS 18001 would facilitate easier integration with BS EN ISO 14001 and ISO 9001:2000 to produce an integrated management system

- Publicity value;

- Improved customer perception;

- International recognition; a clearer standard for benchmarking and commitment to continual improvement.

- External registration and independent external assessment would be available and that a more prescriptive system is easier to assess.

Examples of possible Disadvantages could have included

- The models like ILO OSH 2001 is the system recognized and used by the regulator and they are likely to audit an organisation against this standard, as much of the published guidance is often directly linked to the model.

- The direct on-costs of changing a system;

- How time consuming the model can be;

- The cost of external registration;

- The likelihood of increased paper work to satisfy assessors and the fact that the model may be too sophisticated for small to medium sized enterprises.

- Additionally, since the 18001 system is often used alongside the other ISO standards of 9001 and 14001, there is a possibility that those auditing it may not be health and safety specialists.