Introduction to Safety and Health Management System

1. Introduction
Safety management can be traced to as far back as 3000 BC in Egypt and Babylon. In the 18th century, the Factory Act sets standards for safe working conditions and work hours in England. Following that, other laws such as the Explosives Act (1875) and the Safety and Health Act (1974) were passed.
The world’s first workmen’s compensation law was written in Germany in the 18th century in response to the dissatisfaction of workers with increasing hazardous working conditions as a result of industrialization.

Industrialization in North America also brought about activities that exposes workers to risks and as a result, many laws (e.g. Ontario Workmen’s Compensation Act, 1915) were passed to protect workers and compensate them for injuries.

Several major accidents such as the Piper Alpha, England (1988), Flixborough, England (1974), Texas City, United States (1947), Bhopal, India (1984), Seveso, Italy (1976) and Spyros, Singapore (1978) had also triggered a growing concern over safety and health issues.