2 The Standard

2.1 UL 904Z addresses the following needs:

a)    WHY: A clearer demonstration of the value proposition for health and safety integration and a better definition of the components that make up integrated health and safety programs.

b)    WHAT: A set of key metrics that could be used to measure the effectiveness of integrated health and safety strategies and programs and determine their value for employers, investors and policy makers, coupled with the development of a health and safety index that could rate a company's performance in integrating programs.

c)    HOW: A set of practical, scalable, comprehensive guidelines for employers, and specifically, for their health and safety teams offering step-by-step advice on how to integrate strategic health and safety programs across operational silos.

2.2 UL 904Z offers a standardized definition of the needs in 2.1 and set of components that should be considered a part of integrated health and safety programming; a new measurement tool for integration, based in part on the concept of the triple bottom line popularized by the well-known Dow Jones Sustainability Index; and a basic how to framework for employer teams seeking to better align health and safety strategies across silos and better integrate their health and safety functions.

2.3 The concept of Integrated Health and Safety is inclusive of occupational health and safety, but not limited to it. The concept is overarching, encompassing traditional occupational health and safety and human resources elements, while expanding their impact through synergy to a wider spectrum of individual and population health and well-being outcomes. A workplace with a single, cross-divisional integrated health and safety strategy can magnify the effectiveness of its programs dramatically.

2.4 The key point is that typical workplaces deploy diverse health and safety initiatives each of which must be integrated as part of a continuum of well-being for their full potential to be achieved (see Figure 2.1.)

2.4 Figure 2.1

SUMMARY OF TOPICS

The following Standard has been published:

1. Guidelines for Integrating Health and Safety in the Workplace, UL 904Z