In March 2018 the International Organization for Standardization published ISO 45001:2018, the first international standard for occupational health and safety (OH&S) management systems. It is designed to replace OHSAS 18001 and gives organisations one globally recognised framework for protecting workers and visitors.
Why ISO 45001 matters
Work-related injuries and diseases cost lives and money everywhere. ISO 45001 helps you move from reacting to incidents to preventing them through leadership, participation and risk-based thinking.
Structure: the High Level Structure
Like ISO 9001 and ISO 14001, it follows the common ten-clause structure, so it integrates easily with other management systems:
- Scope
- Normative references
- Terms and definitions
- Context of the organisation
- Leadership and worker participation
- Planning
- Support
- Operation
- Performance evaluation
- Improvement
What is different from OHSAS 18001?
- Leadership: top management is accountable and must promote a positive safety culture.
- Worker participation: consultation and participation of workers — including non-managerial workers — are explicit requirements.
- Context: understand the needs of workers and other interested parties.
- Risks and opportunities: plan to address both OH&S risks and opportunities for improvement.
- Hierarchy of controls is required when determining controls.
- Contractors and outsourcing: control of procurement, contractors and outsourced processes.
- Management of change and emergency preparedness are stronger.
Benefits
- Fewer incidents, less downtime and lower insurance costs
- Legal and regulatory confidence
- Better engagement and morale
- A strong credential for tenders and international clients
Migration from OHSAS 18001
- Obtain the standard and compare it with your current system.
- Brief leadership and plan worker participation.
- Review context, interested parties and risks/opportunities.
- Update the hazard register, objectives and operational controls.
- Train internal auditors.
- Agree the transition audit with your certification body within the published transition period.
Key takeaway: ISO 45001 puts workers at the centre and makes safety a leadership responsibility.
Frequently asked questions
Is ISO 45001 certification mandatory?
No, but many clients and tenders now request it.