ISO 45001
ISO 45001 is the new Occupational Health and Safety Management System developed to reduce and prevent accidents and accident-related loss of lives, equipment, and time.
Certification to ISO 45001 demonstrates an organisation's commitment to a safer working environment and protecting employees against work injury. ISO 45001 certified organisations have identified and operate to regulatory requirements through enforcing procedures for compliance with legislation. Improved identification of hazards and risk management, involving all levels of the organisation through setting objectives, targets and documented responsibilities are recognised by regulators as a commitment to safe working conditions and continuous improvement.
Benefits of ISO 45001:
Higher customer satisfaction
Improved chance of winning contracts
Lower the risk of product/service problems
Streamlined business processes
Increased consistency in business practices
Frequently Asked Questions
1What is ISO 45001 Certification?
As part of the global initiative to improve occupational health and safety, ISO 45001 was introduced in March 2018. It is the world's leading standard for occupational health and safety. Considering the guidelines for an occupational health and safety management system, ISO 45001 aims to create a healthy, safe working environment for employees and visitors.
Organisations can use the standard to proactively prevent injury, reduce ill health and increase worker longevity. Through ISO 45001, occupational health and safety measures can now be developed more robustly and comprehensively for businesses of all sizes.
Organisations can use the standard to proactively prevent injury, reduce ill health and increase worker longevity. Through ISO 45001, occupational health and safety measures can now be developed more robustly and comprehensively for businesses of all sizes.
2Why Is ISO 45001 Important?
The ISO 45001 certification is crucial for meeting regulatory requirements and designing a tailored occupational health and safety system. The ISO 45001 safety system is designed to be applied specifically to your operations, allowing you to identify and mitigate problematic or risky areas. In a growing organisation, risks can arise in regions that are hard to predict. Using the system, you can inform management teams about these areas, allowing them to analyse their operations and plan for future dangers.
Additionally, ISO 45001 certification allows you to plan, implement, check and act across all safety and health procedures, enabling you to measure your progress and make improvements as needed. When top managers commit to keeping themselves accountable and consult with their employees, health, safety and cooperation are nurtured from the top down. This enhances a business's value and fosters a safe, nurturing work environment.
Additionally, ISO 45001 certification allows you to plan, implement, check and act across all safety and health procedures, enabling you to measure your progress and make improvements as needed. When top managers commit to keeping themselves accountable and consult with their employees, health, safety and cooperation are nurtured from the top down. This enhances a business's value and fosters a safe, nurturing work environment.
3Who Can Be ISO 45001 Certified?
ISO 45001 is suitable for any organisation that wants to improve safety management, increase efficiency and safeguard its reputation. Regardless of the organisation's size, type and activities, ISO 45001 is designed to benefit everyone. The standard is intended to decrease workplace injuries and illnesses worldwide, providing a proactive approach to companies of all sizes.
An organisation wishing to develop, implement and maintain an OHS management system can get certified to enhance occupational safety, reduce OHS risks and eliminate hazards, maximise OH&S benefits and address nonconformities in its OHS management system.
Organisations can attend ISO 45001 training to understand ISO 45001 requirements and methods and the skills needed to implement ISO 45001 successfully.
An organisation wishing to develop, implement and maintain an OHS management system can get certified to enhance occupational safety, reduce OHS risks and eliminate hazards, maximise OH&S benefits and address nonconformities in its OHS management system.
Organisations can attend ISO 45001 training to understand ISO 45001 requirements and methods and the skills needed to implement ISO 45001 successfully.
4What Are ISO 45001 Requirements?
ISO 45001 comprises ten clauses designed to provide the user with a clear and defined structure and a set of requirements for implementing an occupational health and safety management system (OHSMS). Three sections of the standard are intended to explain the standard's scope, provide normative references, and explain terms that will make the standard more manageable for you to understand. As a result, the requirements can be found in sections 4 to 10 of the document.
Clause 4
According to the ISO format, organisations must first determine their OHS context. Organisations can identify their positioning and develop a clear vision for their OHS management system by analysing the factors that impact their teams' efficiency, effectiveness, and well-being.
A company's OHS management system must also be defined, identifying its needs and procedures and defining control boundaries.
Clause 5
This section serves the purpose of encouraging employee involvement as well as commitment on the part of managers. Due to this, health and safety must become integrated into the organisation's activities rather than solely being one individual's responsibility, as OHSAS 18001 did in the past.
Clause 6
Once the bones of the system have been established, companies can start planning to implement their ISO 45001-compliant OHS management system. ISO's PDCA cycle (Plan, Do, Check, Act) begins with this step.
Once a framework has been defined, companies can begin developing processes that will help them achieve the goals of their system and foster a culture of continuous improvement and safety.
Clause 7
This covers support elements such as communication, competency and awareness, documentation, and resources. With these specific requirements, OHS management should better align with the business's activities than under OHSAS 18001:2007. Top management should lead the communication process in your organisation, and key information should be documented with employees' input.
Clause 8
There is a need for management to retain responsibility for risk rather than passing it on to contractors and subcontractors.
Clause 9
Managing the OHS management system effectively requires regular reviews of the system's performance to maintain adequate performance.
Clause 10
The OH&S management system of an organisation must ensure that continuous improvement is incorporated into its activities. A good plan for correcting non-conformances can include effectively addressing non-conformance and implementing a good system for addressing them.
Clause 4
According to the ISO format, organisations must first determine their OHS context. Organisations can identify their positioning and develop a clear vision for their OHS management system by analysing the factors that impact their teams' efficiency, effectiveness, and well-being.
A company's OHS management system must also be defined, identifying its needs and procedures and defining control boundaries.
Clause 5
This section serves the purpose of encouraging employee involvement as well as commitment on the part of managers. Due to this, health and safety must become integrated into the organisation's activities rather than solely being one individual's responsibility, as OHSAS 18001 did in the past.
Clause 6
Once the bones of the system have been established, companies can start planning to implement their ISO 45001-compliant OHS management system. ISO's PDCA cycle (Plan, Do, Check, Act) begins with this step.
Once a framework has been defined, companies can begin developing processes that will help them achieve the goals of their system and foster a culture of continuous improvement and safety.
Clause 7
This covers support elements such as communication, competency and awareness, documentation, and resources. With these specific requirements, OHS management should better align with the business's activities than under OHSAS 18001:2007. Top management should lead the communication process in your organisation, and key information should be documented with employees' input.
Clause 8
There is a need for management to retain responsibility for risk rather than passing it on to contractors and subcontractors.
Clause 9
Managing the OHS management system effectively requires regular reviews of the system's performance to maintain adequate performance.
Clause 10
The OH&S management system of an organisation must ensure that continuous improvement is incorporated into its activities. A good plan for correcting non-conformances can include effectively addressing non-conformance and implementing a good system for addressing them.
5What Are ISO 45001 Benefits?
Enhances employee safety
Injuries and illnesses at work can be significantly reduced by implementing ISO 45001. The standard enables your organisation to prevent injuries and save lives.
Makes your business a leader in its field
If your organisation implements the latest occupational health and safety standard, it will stand out among other businesses and gain international recognition.
Boosts productivity
Injuries preventing workers from returning to work impact productivity. Hiring and training a replacement takes time. Meanwhile, operations may have to be temporarily halted in case of an accident and equipment damage. Getting ISO 45001 certified can help you address such concerns.
Injuries and illnesses at work can be significantly reduced by implementing ISO 45001. The standard enables your organisation to prevent injuries and save lives.
Makes your business a leader in its field
If your organisation implements the latest occupational health and safety standard, it will stand out among other businesses and gain international recognition.
Boosts productivity
Injuries preventing workers from returning to work impact productivity. Hiring and training a replacement takes time. Meanwhile, operations may have to be temporarily halted in case of an accident and equipment damage. Getting ISO 45001 certified can help you address such concerns.
6What Are the ISO 45001 Clauses?
Clause 1 to 3: Terminology and scope
Clause 4: Context of the organisation
Clause 5: Leadership and worker participation
Clause 6: Planning for the OH&S system
Clause 7: Support
Clause 8: Operation
Clause 9: Performance evaluation
Clause 10: Improvement
Clause 4: Context of the organisation
Clause 5: Leadership and worker participation
Clause 6: Planning for the OH&S system
Clause 7: Support
Clause 8: Operation
Clause 9: Performance evaluation
Clause 10: Improvement
7Is ISO 45001 Mandatory?
Implementing ISO 45001 or a similar management standard, while not required by law, provides a structure for promoting employee safety and health on the job.
8Does ISO 45001 Replace OHSAS 18001?
OHSAS 1801, the earlier occupational health and safety standard, is now replaced by ISO 45001, an updated standard. Since it uses the new structure defined in Annex SL, it corresponds directly to ISO 9001 and ISO 14001. It is also worth noting that ISO 45001 simplifies integration with other management systems and supersedes OHSAS 18001.