ISO 45001 is an international standard for occupational health and safety (OH&S) management systems, designed to help organisations improve their workplace safety and minimise risks to employees.
During an ISO 45001 audit, auditors evaluate an organisation’s compliance with the standard’s requirements. Nonconformities may be identified during these audits, and addressing them is crucial for maintaining an effective OH&S management system.
Here are the top five nonconformities observed during ISO 45001 audits:
Poor Communication and Consultation with Workers
One common nonconformity is the failure to establish effective communication channels and consult with workers on matters related to occupational health and safety. This includes providing workers with opportunities to participate in decision-making processes and ensuring they have access to relevant OH&S information. Compliance with Clause 5.4 helps ensure workers are actively engaged in improving safety.
Inadequate Management of Contractors and Subcontractors
Organisations must adequately manage the OH&S risks associated with contractors and subcontractors to prevent nonconformities. This includes ensuring that external workers understand and adhere to the organisation’s safety policies and procedures. Clause 8.1.4 requires organisations to manage these relationships effectively.
Insufficient Monitoring and Measurement of OH&S Performance
Organisations need to establish and maintain processes for monitoring, measuring, and analysing their OH&S performance to comply with Clause 9.1.
Failure to do so can lead to nonconformities. This involves collecting data on incidents, near-misses, and other performance metrics to identify areas for improvement and assess the effectiveness of safety measures.
Inadequate Hazard Identification and Risk Assessment Processes
Properly identifying workplace hazards and assessing associated risks is essential for maintaining a safe working environment. Organisations may be cited for nonconformities if they fail to implement comprehensive hazard identification and risk assessment processes in line with ISO 45001 requirements.
Non-compliance with Legal and Regulatory Requirements
Organisations must comply with relevant OH&S laws and regulations to avoid nonconformities during an ISO 45001 audit. Clause 6.1.3 emphasises the importance of understanding and adhering to legal and regulatory requirements to ensure workplace safety and prevent potential penalties or legal actions.
Addressing nonconformities is a critical aspect of maintaining an effective occupational health and safety management system in line with ISO 45001. By prioritising open communication with workers, managing contractors and subcontractors effectively, monitoring and measuring OH&S performance, conducting thorough hazard identification and risk assessments, and ensuring compliance with legal and regulatory requirements, organisations can create safer workplaces and promote a culture of safety.
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