ISO 45001 is a standard for Occupational Health and Safety Management Systems (OHSMS) and helps organizations by providing a framework to improve employee safety, reduce workplace risks and create better, safer working conditions and is utilized by organizations all around the world. Ensuring employee health and safety is of critical importance for all organizations as it has a significant impact on business continuity, staff absences and the rising cost of insurance premiums. ISO 45001 is designed to be compatible with other management standards, particularly ISO 9001 Quality Management Standard, ISO 14001 Environmental Management Systems and ISO 50001 Energy Management.
What’s New in the International Standard? With the new standard, you can ensure your health and safety management is aligned with the strategic directions of the organization. The key changes in the standard focus on:
- Context of the organization
- Understanding the needs and expectations of the worker and other interested parties
- Leadership , culture and commitment
- Polices linked to overall strategic objectives and direction of the organization
- Participation and consultation
- Risk and opportunities
- Performance evaluation
- Evaluation of compliance
- Management review
What is ISO 45001?
ISO 45001 is the new international standard for occupational health and safety management, replacing OHSAS 18001. Implementing the ISO 45001 standard will reduce workplace risks and improve employee safety. By gaining certification, you'll be able to show that your business follows best practices for Occupational Health and Safety Management Systems. This reduces the likelihood of accidents, and compliance issues, and improves your organization's performance as a whole.
This Standard is more comprehensive than many existing health and safety standards because it was developed by a committee of occupational health and safety experts. The committee members considered other international standards in this area, such as OHSAS 18001, the International Labour Organization’s ILO-OSH Guidelines, various national standards, and the ILO’s international labor standards and conventions. This makes it one of the most valuable Health and Safety Management Systems available to date.
Business Challenge
ISO 45001 is suitable for any organization looking to improve health and safety risk management, drive productivity and protect its reputation. A business looking for ways to become more efficient, reduce absenteeism, or decrease accidents in the workplace that can be common without proper procedures in place.
Business Solution
ISO 45001 can help to protect your staff from accidents, illness, and injury by reducing the risks and hazards of your workplace. This will also put in place controls to ensure legal compliance relating to any accidents or injuries, as well as increase employee awareness of health and safety as a whole. Having a safe work environment will improve your business reputation resulting in improved staff loyalty and morale, fewer accidents, and reduced employee absenteeism for more efficiency overall.
The Key Benefits of ISO 45001 for your business
Here are the top benefits of using the ISO 45001 framework:
- Establish controls to ensure legal compliance – ISO 45001 can help you to establish operational controls which take into account risks and opportunities, as well as legal and other requirements
- Increase Health and Safety Awareness – the OH&S management system helps organizations to increase employee awareness of Occupational Health and Safety risks, ensuring workers take an active role in health and safety matters
- Enhance your Reputation – Achieving certification to this standard is a recognition that you have achieved an international benchmark, getting you noticed by customers who are concerned about their social responsibilities
- Reduce Absenteeism – by better managing H&S risks in the workplace you will be able to protect employees, reducing absenteeism and turnover rates
- Reduce Insurance Premiums – By demonstrating that you have an effective occupational health and safety management system in place, many businesses can go on to benefit from reduced insurance premiums
- Improve Management of H&S Compliance Issues – ISO 45001 helps to improve your ability to respond to regulatory compliance issues, reducing the overall costs of incidents and downtime
- Better Manage Health and Safety Risks – the standard will help you to determine hazards and the health and safety risks associated with your activities; seeking to either eliminate them or put controls in place to minimize their effects
How to Get ISO 45001 Certification
Being certified with ISO 45001 is not as complicated as one might think. The International Standards Organization (ISO) does not offer certification, but rather it is done through an accredited third party, such as NSAI. If you are wanting to get your company certified, here are a few easy steps to follow.
Developing and implementing an ISO 45001 management system includes these necessary steps:
- Schedule an audit with a trustworthy third party.
- An auditor will review your processes and implementation to ensure you are compliant with the standards required for certification.
- If needed, fix any compliance issues identified in the audit per the requirements of ISO 45001.
- Once all requirements are met, you’ll receive an ISO 45001 certificate as confirmation of your organization's commitment to safety in the workplace.
The Requirements OF ISO 45001 Certification
The requirements you will need to take into consideration in order to achieve ISO 45001 certification are as follows:
- Context of the Organization – The context of your organization is determined by internal and external factors that affect your business. In order for the OH&S management system to be relevant and practical, you need to take these into account. This includes determining who will be affected by these issues and how including visitors and sub-contractors.
- Management Leadership – In order to achieve OH&S objectives, everyone in the organization needs to be on the same page regarding roles and responsibilities. The leadership team should take charge of the OH&S management system while also making sure that all staff members have what they need to run it effectively.
- Risk Planning – This requirement underscores how important it is for your business to be adaptable. You will need to have a plan in place for identifying, assessing, and controlling OH&S risks. This plan should include how you will communicate the risk management procedures to key personnel as well as what documentation you will use.
- Employee Support – Tools and resources are necessary to establish, operate and maintain your OH&S management system. This might entail conducting training sessions for key personnel, procuring personal protective equipment (PPE) or plainly communicating your objectives.
- Business Operations –Assessing existing procedures and noting legal obligations is what this requirement asks of you. After gaining the necessary information, you will have to plan out how best to respond to emergency situations, risks, and opportunities. Risk assessments conducted on a regular basis can help fulfill this requirement.
- Performance Evaluation – In order to evaluate your company's success with Occupational Health & Safety (OH&S), you will need create specific performance criteria. Doing so provides evidence that your current OH&S management system is functioning well.
- Continuous Improvement – This Standard requires that you are always seeking to improve and better your performance. You can do this by frequently monitoring and assessing yourself as well as taking the appropriate corrective actions when needed.
How to start ISO 45001 Registration with NSAI
The ISO 45001 Registration Process comes after your company’s ISO 45001 audit. The purpose of registering your company is to show that you’ve met the requirements. And to do this effectively, you will need to follow essential steps. NSAI can guide your company through this ever-changing world of Health and Safety Management and assist you through these steps. Contact us today or fill out our RFQ form to find out how NSAI can help. One of our experts will get back to you within 24 hours – guaranteed.
