What you need to know about ISO 45001
It encourages best-in-class risk management
The purpose of the standard is to prevent work related injury and ill health and provide a safer environment to work in. Forward-thinking aspects of ISO 45001 include the identification of health and safety threats and opportunities, the consultation and participation of workers, and the context of the organisation being considered when implementing a management system.
In the current business climate, being a health and safety leader is becoming increasingly respected, so the progressive aspects of the standard are a great selling point to raise with potential clients. Developing and leading a culture of commitment, responsibility and accountability for Occupational Health & Safety is a key driving force behind the revised standard.
It’s universal
Like all ISO standards, ISO 45001 is designed to suit all organisations, large and small, across the globe.
It will replace OHSAS 18001
ISO 45001 will replace the existing British standard for occupational health and safety. This means that everyone currently certified to OHSAS 18001 will need to migrate to ISO 45001 in the next three years.
It will integrate with other ISO standards
Along with ISO 9001 Quality Management and ISO 14001 Environmental Management, ISO 45001 Occupational Health and Safety Management Systems completes the QSHE management system triad. Integration of these standards should now be easier, since ISO 45001 is based on Annex SL, the same management system framework, and is aligned with the 2015 versions of those standards.
What do we need to do?
If you are currently certified to OHSAS 18001, you need to migrate to ISO 45001 within 3 years.
If you are new to Health & Safety Systems Management certification, you should prepare for implementation of ISO 45001 from scratch.
Whatever stage of the journey you are at, you can prepare by speaking to a consultant and attending an Alcumus training course or contacting Alcumus ISOQAR for advice.
