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© 2024 The Authors. Published by IASE. This is an open access article under the CC
BY-NC-ND license (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/).
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impacted the health of workers and, therefore, could and strengthen its prevention and occupational
mitigate these risks (Gochfeld, 2005; Wyatt, 2008; safety measures to protect workers and reduce the
Zachmann, 2014). incidence of occupational diseases and accidents.
By the 20th century, the conviction was Implementing the OHSMS not only protects
consolidated that it was feasible to prevent employees' health but also contributes to their well-
occupational diseases and work accidents (Dwyer, being and, therefore, benefits society (Karanikas et
2013), and this prompted the appearance of the term al., 2020). This impact is reflected not only in the
today known as occupational health in industrialized economic sphere but also in the social fabric of the
countries. With this approach, the needs and country, which justifies the existence of regulations
characteristics of the work environment are and standards regarding occupational safety and
considered, and the Permanent Commission on health (Salguero-Caparrós et al., 2020).
Occupational Health (known today as the Following the rules set by Colombian laws
International Commission of Occupational Health- (managed by the Ministry of Labor and the Ministry
ICOH) is created to increase public, scientific, and of Health and Social Protection) and the
political awareness about occupational diseases International Labor Organization's guidelines, using
(Soler et al., 2020). the OHSMS offers significant benefits. These include
Considering the previously mentioned, it is better relationships among coworkers, improved
notable that, at a global level, industries have worker well-being, and enhanced quality of life. It
strengthened a high level of awareness about the also helps reduce the number of people missing
importance of providing better working conditions work due to sickness and/or work-related accidents
and guaranteeing the safety of workers in each of the and decreases the number of deaths, which, in turn,
activities they must carry out in their workplaces boosts productivity in Colombia. Moreover, it
(Tetzlaff et al., 2021). Consequently, this approach ensures that companies and contractors meet the
has driven improvements in the standards of the standards and requirements needed for the effective
occupational health and safety management system management of work-related risks (Zhao and Jiang,
(OHSMS). The strategy detailed in ISO 45001 was 2020; Rikhotso et al., 2022). It is essential to
created so that all countries can quickly adopt this highlight that Decree 1072 of 2015, issued by the
standard because it is considered more efficient than Ministry of Labor, establishes that the Occupational
the previous standard called OHSAS 18001, to Health and Safety Management System (OHSMS) is a
guarantee locations of safe and profitable work, logical and staged process based on continuous
reducing and eliminating occupational risks or improvement. This process includes policy,
incidents that may affect the health of workers (Toy, organization, planning, application, evaluation, audit,
2015; ISO, 2018; Hussain et al., 2022). and improvement actions, intending to anticipate,
In Colombia, during the first quarter of 2022, the recognize, evaluate, and control risks that may affect
Real Estate and Property Development Services safety and health at work.
sector registered the highest number of work In this context, companies are interested in
accidents with 20,237 cases (provisional services are reducing the risks associated with their operations.
in the said sector), followed by the manufacturing To achieve this purpose, an organization capable of
industry with 17,753 cases. Regarding occupational identifying and implementing strategies to enhance
diseases, for September 2021 to August 2022, the efficiency and reduce risk and associated accidents is
sector with the highest rate of occupational disease essential. Therefore, this article aims to show the
was social and health services (2912.4); in second design of the Occupational Health and Safety
place is mines and quarries (220.0), and the Real Management System (OHSMS) based on the ISO
Estate and Property Development Services sector in 45001 Standard. This design adapts to the needs of a
seventh place with 98.4, this rate is equivalent to one real estate and property development company
professional ailment for every 100,000 workers. The located in Bogotá, which currently lacks such a
diagnosis is worrying since the data shows that more system.
than 85% of the diseases are related to muscular and The article is dedicated to delving into the aspects
skeletal system problems and acute and chronic of planning, implementation, and management of
diseases, such as respiratory diseases, cancer, and this said system to guarantee the safety and health of
chemical exposure. However, its scale has yet to be workers in the context of the real estate industry in
determined for muscular and skeletal diseases; Bogotá. Likewise, it ensures compliance with the
carpal tunnel syndrome is the most frequent disease standards and regulations to establish a safe and
in this group, representing 30% of cases. Likewise, it healthy work environment. This approach not only
is essential to mention that occupational diseases contributes to significantly improving the
and accidents in the Real Estate and Property understanding and application of workplace safety
development services sector have shown a constant principles but also seeks their practical application
annual increase despite efforts to implement in the real estate sector of the city of Bogotá.
preventive controls. These operations that focus on
the purchase, sale, and rental of properties need help 2. Methods
with worker safety and health. The need to
effectively address this upward trend is becoming The work is focused on a company in the Real
increasingly pressing. The industry must prioritize Estate and Property Development Services sector
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located in Bogotá. The methodology used to design principle (Plan-Do-Check-Act) with a view to
the OHSMS was based on the international standard continuous improvement (Fig. 1).
ISO 45001, whose approach is centered on the PDCA
Planning
Performance
evaluation
Fig. 1: Relationship of the PHVA and the numerals established by the standard (ISO, 2018)
A systematic process will be considered when of likelihood of occurrence in the categories of Low
developing the system design. Said process (L), Moderate (M), High (H), and Very High (VH).
comprises three major stages: the context or initial Performance evaluation: This stage is crucial for
diagnosis, the evaluation of hazards and risks, and the PDCA cycle since, from it, the needs in terms of
the evaluation of the system's performance against Safety and Health at work required by the company
the requirements of the previously mentioned are determined. It establishes all the necessary
standard. For a better illustration of the process that follow-up, measurement, monitoring, analysis, and
will be carried out, each of these stages is defined evaluation processes.
below.
Context or initial diagnosis: In this stage, the 3. Results and discussion
generalities of the company are described, including
information on the number of people involved in 3.1. Context or initial diagnosis
working and everything related to it. This diagnosis
is an essential step since, from this point on, an in- As previously mentioned in the methodology, the
depth evaluation of the processes that can be diagnosis phase focuses on controlling compliance
improved is begun, and the state of the potential with the requirements against the ISO 45001
development areas is also quantified. standard, considering what the company currently
Hazard and risk assessment: At this stage, a risk has. For this, a checklist was established that
assessment matrix is used to detect exposures, their concentrates its requirements on the PDCA cycle. A
probability of occurrence, and the possible checklist was created in alignment with the
consequences of work-related events. This requirements specified by the standard, and the
evaluation will show the significant risks at all levels qualification criteria were given as presented in
in the company. Table 1 shows the risks' Table 4.
classification and their respective definition, which Based on the verification and scoring carried out
were considered during the evaluation process. with the diagnosis, it was established that the ideal
In the evaluation through the matrix, the factors level of compliance with the stipulation of the ISO
of likelihood (L) and severity (S) were considered. 45001: 2018 standard is 960 points, which
Based on the multiplication of these two evaluated corresponds to 100%. Once the evaluation process
parameters (RL=L•S), the risk level (RL) was supported by the score for each standard
established (Castiblanco et al., 2020). Tables 2 and 3 requirement has been carried out, it was identified
show the matrix used for the evaluation and the that compliance corresponds to 466 points,
criteria defining the level of risk. It is essential to representing 49% compared to the ideal score. Fig. 2
consider that the ratings assigned in the risk shows the percentages of compliance concerning
assessment are categorized according to the degree each requirement referenced by the standard.
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70
60
50
Compliance percentage (%)
40
30
20
10
0
1. Context of 2. Leadership and 3. Planning 4. Support 5. Operation 6. Performance 7. Improvement
organization worker participation evaluation
Clauses
When examining the potential causes of the work outside them. The organization is responsible
degree of compliance shown in Fig. 2, the most for guaranteeing the minimum exposure to risks and
significant shortcoming is found mainly in the dangers in all work situations.
numerals of the standard related to Operation and In order to advance in the design of the OHSMS,
Performance Evaluation. This is explained by the interventions are required to allow continuous
lack of a standardized process to prevent accidents, improvement. It is essential to encourage the
which affects workers in administrative offices and participation of all the organization's workers in the
contractors who perform tasks outside the facilities system's construction and implementation
(such as repairs and maintenance). These processes. The initial diagnosis must be considered,
contractors travel to various places where their which allows the identification of existing needs and
services are required. It also applies to visitors since problems. In this way, clear objectives will be
the company must guarantee compliance with established and aligned with the internal objectives
regulations and ensure the safety of these people. of the organization.
Due to this lack of an OHSMS, it is challenging to Considering the identified causes of non-
evaluate performance in this aspect correctly. compliance and the need to strengthen the OHSMS in
Therefore, it is relevant to establish an OHSMS that is the organization as a complement and progress
adapted not only to the facilities but also to towards the solution of the diagnosis results, it is
guarantee the safety of the personnel who must essential to carry out a series of actions. Among
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these actions, it is essential to jointly establish a evaluated. In addition, the measures that must be
written OHSMS policy between the top management taken for control and prevention are established
and the workers. Additionally, the policy should be since they are necessary to reduce or eliminate the
communicated, but only after adopting measures so identified risks. Likewise, it benefits all organization
that everyone (workers and top management) can members (Homann et al., 2022; Wijesinghe et al.,
allocate the time and resources necessary to engage 2023).
proactively in the planning, implementation, Initially, the pertinent information was collected
assessment, and response processes. Immediately with the company's workers to find out the
afterward, the organization process is launched. It is perceptions of each employee about the specific
indispensable to be accountable for what is being functions of their position and the tasks to be carried
developed. Additionally, the employer has the out, the risks they believe they face, the actions that
responsibility to ensure the well-being and safety of could improve the organizational situation and if
all employees and must, therefore, provide OHS they experience any difficulties in the performance
training to each of them. Furthermore, workers must of their duties.
acquire the necessary skills and abilities to identify, Then, the risk matrix was prepared and evaluated
control, and, to the extent possible, eliminate with the information presented in Table 2 and Table
occupational risks through the correct 3. This matrix includes all the tasks carried out by
implementation of the OHSMS. Subsequently, the the Real Estate and Property Development Services
planning and application process begins based on employees. Also, it allows for determining if the
the country's regulations and the clauses of the ISO company has specifications to reduce the risk
45001 standard. This process involves an initial associated with each danger detected with a risk
evaluation to identify the legal requirements and assessment, that is, the occurrence hypothesis and
establish a system that complies with them. the magnitude of the consequences. In addition, it is
Additionally, it focuses on continuously determined whether the risk could become
strengthening the system, ensuring it is constantly acceptable. This study was carried out to implement
evolving and improving to stay aligned with the precautionary and control measures appropriate
changing occupational health and safety standards to each risk or exposure to minimize the severe
and needs in the work environment. consequences for the health of the company's
On the other hand, the objectives of the system, employees. Table 5 presents the matrix that was
the prevention and control measures, and the developed for the company. It is essential to clarify
changes that this will bring to the company are that the evaluation is only presented for risks whose
formalized. Finally, in the evaluation process, level is greater than or equal to 100.
guidelines are established to periodically control the From the risk levels obtained in the evaluation
results through their measurement, supervision, and with the matrix, the respective measures for the
compilation (Xu et al., 2023). An investigation of the corrections and control of the respective risks of the
causes and origin of the accidents and/or existing company were presented. It is essential to highlight
risks is carried out so that the committee formulates that interventions focused on contractors have been
the pertinent recommendations, and audits are considered since their commitment is also crucial to
carried out in order to verify that the system has guarantee security within the organization.
been put into practice and that it is adequate to
protect the health and safety of collaborators (ILO, 3.3. Performance evaluation
2023).
In this stage, an internal audit procedure has been
3.2. Hazard and risk assessment created to ensure compliance with the system. It
emphasizes assessing whether the system is being
According to Colombian Technical Guide CTG 45, implemented, maintained, and executed according to
an evaluation matrix is a management and control the company's set criteria, which is in line with the
tool used to identify the processes, the type, and the country's regulations. In addition, the legal
scope of the inherent risk. The precise design of this requirements matrix was used to support this
matrix, which evaluates both the severity and the process.
probability of occurrence, allows for estimating the Within the cycle of this phase, the previously
effectiveness of adequate management to confront defined procedure for control, monitoring, and
these threats. Nevertheless, the evaluation matrix operational improvement was also used. An
provides each OHSMS participant with a clear view instructive manual was prepared for the
of the necessary interventions to avoid incidents, investigation of incidents and occupational
work accidents, and even occupational diseases. accidents, which includes an exhaustive description
However, it is essential to highlight that risk of the events and the losses that they entail in
identification does not automatically guarantee the human, material, environmental, or equipment
selection of these interventions. One of the terms, in addition to providing context and
advantages of this matrix is that it does not have to observations related to the incident and accident, its
wait for situations of force majeure to take the causes and prevention measures necessary to
appropriate measures, and all possible threats establish the required corrections.
within the organization are identified, valued, and
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Likewise, the process designed to address quality of life and health. At a global level, in the past,
incidents and non-conformities was launched, taking the labor system used to present precarious
corrective measures to eliminate the roots of the conditions that negatively affected workers.
deviations and improve the efficiency of the However, currently, thanks to greater awareness
processes through the implementation of about the importance of Occupational Health and
improvements. It was agreed to carry out this Safety (OSH), strategies have been developed to
procedure monthly since action plans derived from improve occupational health standards.
various security inspections will be originated to Therefore, this article highlights the importance
verify compliance and integration of the system in of the Occupational Health and Safety Management
total fulfillment with the requirements established in System (OHSMS) based on the ISO 45001 Standard,
the standard ISO 45001. proving to be an essential tool to guarantee safe and
All the above aligns with the PDCA cycle, ensuring healthy working conditions. This system was
that the route traced allows the objectives specifically designed to address the needs of a Real
established within the organization to be achieved Estate and Property Development company in
and progress towards their achievement to be Bogotá, which was characterized by a lack of an
measured. effective system to prevent occupational risks, which
could lead to injuries, illnesses, accidents, and even
3.4. Implementation of the ISO 45001: 2018 fatal tragedies. Furthermore, despite the difficulties
standard and factors for continuous mainly associated with the resistance to change
improvement encountered along the way, this approach benefits
the organization, including office workers,
Finally, considering the previous stage, the contractors, and visitors, in terms of efficiency and
information obtained is verified, and activities are regulatory compliance. It also contributes to the
planned to implement the missing elements and economic and social development of Bogotá and the
comply with the standard's requirements. country.
It is essential to recognize that implementing an In a context where occupational safety and health
OHSMS is continuous and dynamic. Over time, are crucial, investing in a solid OHSMS based on the
changes in the results and initial evaluations may ISO 45001 standard is presented as an essential
occur, so the process of continuous improvement in strategy to ensure a safe and healthy work
the OHSMS seeks to mitigate the risks present in the environment. The prevention of occupational risks,
company increasingly. This process is not the the promotion of worker well-being, and compliance
exclusive responsibility of senior managers. Instead, with standards and regulations are crucial elements
it implies the commitment of each organization that contribute to the sustainable success of the
member to adopt corrective actions and proposed organization in the real estate industry and society
preventive measures, which will allow a progressive in general.
and innovative development of the management
system (Hassall and Lant, 2023). Compliance with ethical standards
The effectiveness of the management system will
decrease over time. Therefore, it is crucial to Conflict of interest
effectively implement each of the continual
improvement requirements established in ISO The author(s) declared no potential conflicts of
45001 to obtain more positive evaluations. interest with respect to the research, authorship,
A critical factor in improving the processes and/or publication of this article.
established in the Management System is the
contribution of ideas by all the participating workers References
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