Occupational Safety and Health (K3) regulations in Indonesia have existed since the Dutch East Indies government. At that time the applicable occupational safety and health regulations were Veiligheids Reglement. After independence and the enactment of the 1945 Constitution, several regulations including safety regulations were revoked and replaced with regulations governing occupational safety and health, namely the Work Safety Law No. 1 of 1970.
According to Mangkunegara (2002:163) Occupational Safety and Health (K3) is a thought and effort to ensure integrity and perfection, both physically and spiritually. This integrity and perfection is aimed specifically at workers and humans in general, so as to produce work and culture towards a just and prosperous society.
The history of K3 development from pre-historic times to modern times like now, the summary is as follows:
1. Pre-History
In the prehistoric era, humans living in this era began to make axes and spears that were easy to use for hunting and self-defense. The designs of the spears and axes they made generally had larger proportions on the ax blade or spear tip. This means that using an ax or spear does not require a lot of energy because with a slight swing the momentum generated is quite large. The reduced design on the handle is intended so that it is not dangerous for the user when swinging the axe.
2. Age of the Babylonians (Summerian Dynasty) in Iraq
At this time, people made ax sheaths so that they were safe and not dangerous for the person holding them. At this time, people are familiar with various types of equipment used to help their work. Development occurred after the discovery of copper and atmosphere around 3000-2500 BC. In 3400 BC, people were familiar with construction using clay bricks which were made by drying in the sun. During this time, people began to build stone water channels as sanitation facilities. In 2000 BC the “Hammurabi” regulations were issued which became the basis for insurance compensation for workers.
3. The Age of Ancient Egypt
During the reign of Pharaoh, many gigantic jobs were carried out involving many people as workers. In 1500 BC, during the reign of King Ramses II, work was carried out to build a canal from the Mediterranean to the Red Sea. Then King Ramses II also asked his workers to build a Rameuseum “temple”. In order for his work to run smoothly, King Ramses II provided healers and servants to look after and care for the health of his workers.
4. Ancient Greece
In this era one of the most famous figures is Hippocrates. Hippocrates discovered a tetanus disease in the crew of the ship he was on.
5. Roman period
Experts such as Lecretius, Martial, and Vritivius began to reveal the existence of health problems caused by exposure to toxic materials from the workplace such as lead and sulfur. During the reign of General Alexander the Great, health services were provided for the army.
6. Middle Ages
In this century, payment or compensation has been applied to workers who experience accidents that cause disability or death. Workers are aware of the dangers of vapor in the workplace, so workers working in environments containing vapor must wear masks.
7. 16th century
At this time, Phillipus Aureolus Theophrastus Bombastus von Hoheinheim or later better known as Paracelsus began to introduce work-related diseases experienced by mining workers. An expert named Agricola in his book De Re Metallica has begun making efforts to control the dangers of lead in mining by applying ventilation principles.
8. 18th century
A classic book written by Bernardino Ramazzini (1664 – 1714) from the University of Modena in Italy, with the title: Discourse on the diseases of workers, which has become a classic reference book for K3 experts to this day. Ramazzini saw that doctors at that time rarely looked at the relationship between work and illness, so there was a sentence that was always asked when diagnosing someone’s illness, namely “What is your occupation?”. Ramazzini sees that there are two big factors that cause occupational diseases, namely the dangers in the materials used when working and the wrong movements made by workers while working (ergonomic factors).
9. Industrial Revolution Era (Traditional Industrialization)
Factors that have influenced the development of K3 implementation are the replacement of animal power with machines such as steam engines which were discovered as a new energy source. Introduction of new methods for processing raw materials (especially industrial, chemical and metal sectors). The organization of work has a greater scope with the development of industry which is supported by the use of new machines. This also includes the development of this technology that has begun to cause diseases caused by exposure to carbon from the remaining combustion materials.
10. Era of Industrialization (Modern Industrialization)
Since the industrial revolution until the mid-20th century, technological developments have made K3 follow these developments. The development and manufacture of personal protective equipment, safety devices, and interlocks and other safety devices were also developed. K3 management is also developing with the existence of regulations relating to the importance of occupational safety and health in each country.
11. Era of Management and K3 Management
Developments in the modern management era began in the 1950s until now. This development began with Heinrich’s theory (1941) which examined the causes of accidents, that generally (85%) occurred due to human factors (unsafe acts) and unsafe working conditions (unsafe conditions). During this time, work automation systems developed to overcome the problem of the difficulty of making improvements to human factors. However, this automation system causes human problems which ultimately have an impact on the smooth running of work because there are blocks of work and they are not integrated into each work unit.
Simultaneously, Frank Bird from the International Loss Control Institute (ILCI) in 1972 put forward the Loss Causation Model theory which stated that management factors were the background that caused accidents. Based on these developments and the accident case in Bhopal in 1984, finally at the end of the 20th century the concept of an integrated OSH management system was developed which aims at coordination and efficient use of resources. The integration of all work units such as safety, health and environment in a management system also requires guaranteed quality improvements from the aspects of input, process and output. This is demonstrated by the publication of international standards such as ISO 9000, ISO 14000 and ISO 18000.
12. The current era of the K3 Management System
The international standard that is used as a reference for the implementation of OSH management is the Occupational Health and Safety Assessment Series (OHSAS) 18001. The objectives of OHSAS 18001 itself are not much different from the objectives of the Permenaker K3 Management System, namely the protection of workers from unwanted things arising from work environment or work activities that affect the health and safety of workers and so that large losses do not arise as a result of work accidents which can create a bad image for the company, and reduce the image and trust in the company. Like many industries or services whose processes have a negative impact on the environment, health and safety of their workers, therefore, Occupational Health & Safety Management – K3 Management is needed so there is guarantee for the workers. This is the reason why large companies, especially oil and gas, require that all their partners must at least implement an OHS Management system or commonly known as CSMS (Contractor Safety Management System) and then to be able to participate in tenders the main requirement is that companies must have K3LL documents.
After the development of the times, ISO 45001 has been formed. ISO 45001 is a new international standard for Occupational Health and Safety (K3 / OH&S) management, which replaces the OHSAS 18001 standard. So what is the difference between the two? ISO 45001 was created by the ISO project committee and was published in March 2018. Some of the main differences between ISO 45001 and OHSAS 18001 are as follows:
- ISO 45001 is based on ISO Guide 83 (“Annex SL”) which establishes a common high-level structure, text and terms, as well as general definitions for management systems (e.g. ISO 9001, ISO 14001, and others). This structure aims to facilitate the implementation and integration process of several management systems in a harmonious, structured and efficient manner.
- In this new standard there is a strong focus on “organizational context”. In ISO 45001, organizations should not only consider what K3 issues directly impact them, but also involve the wider community and how their work can also impact the surrounding community.