- This is the first Cepsa center to adopt the new standard
- It includes new developments, such as workers from all levels actively participating in occupational health and safety
The Tenerife Refinery has become the first Cepsa center to certify its Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) System under the ISO 45001:2018 standard after successfully passing the recent audit by the external verifier, AUDELCO.
The new standard, which was implemented by the Refinery on a voluntarily basis and which replaced OHSAS 18001 (Occupational Health and Safety Assessment), incorporates improvements that consolidate the safe and healthy working conditions of this operating center while strengthening the preventive culture that has always characterized it, eliminating hazards and proactively reducing risks.
Strengthening of the leadership and the commitment of the senior management particularly stand out among the improvements that the implementation of this new certification has brought. Other aspects include promoting the consultation and active participation of workers at all levels, by providing the mechanisms, time, training and resources needed to achieve this.
The organization's responsibility has also been increased, as it must now promote the physical and mental health of its workers, in addition to protecting them. Thus, the worker's wellbeing at work is introduced in terms of their emotions or feelings about their work and professionalism (assessment, respect, development, etc.), as well as in terms of other aspects that can improve the working environment (work-life balance, flexibility of working hours, remote working etc.).
In addition, this standard places greater emphasis on the need for continuous improvement and on the development of indicators to demonstrate this progress, all through ongoing evaluation and monitoring. In addition, it enhances compliance with legal requirements by requiring that said progress is proven.
The auditor AUDELCO recently carried out an audit to certify ISO 45001, giving the Refinery an outstanding rating, which highlights the maturity of its Health and Safety Management System. The audit lasted six days and was carried out mostly virtually through online meetings involving 29 interlocutors from different departments in the company and three auditors.
Cepsa's Canary Islands Director, José Manuel Fernández-Sabugo, stresses that "migrating from the OHSAS 18001 certification to ISO 45001 shows that Cepsa takes an interest in the systematic improvement of occupational health and safety management, as well as the great qualities of our professionals." "Continuous improvement has no limits, so we work every day to eliminate hazards, reduce risks and make the most of health and safety opportunities," he says.
Cepsa expects its remaining operating centers in the Canary Islands to be certified under the ISO 45001 standard this year.
From OHSAS 18001 to ISO 45001
Cepsa has always proactively integrated the occupational health and safety of its employees and auxiliary companies into its management, providing safe and healthy workplaces to prevent work-related injuries and health deterioration, by minimizing risks and eliminating hazards, taking into account the participation of workers and their representatives in the process.
As a result of this focus, the Tenerife Refinery adopted the OHSAS 18001 standard in 2003 as a reference model for managing its hazards and risks, which has now been replaced by the even more demanding ISO 45001.