Article by Jack Sekhon
9 Min Read. Updated June 29, 2024
Understanding ISO 45001:
Meaning & Certification
Have you ever wondered how many work-related accidents happen globally each year? According to the International Labour Organization, there are over 2.3 million work-related deaths annually. ISO 45001 certification is an international standard developed to reduce or eliminate work-related injuries and illnesses and make workplaces safer.
ISO 45001 Certification Process
- Deliver ISO 45001 certification training
- Secure senior management commitment and leadership for OHSMS certification project
- Establish OHSMS certification project scope i.e. complete certification, on-demand consulting/consultant role, on-demand audit management and fractional consulting on contract.
- Engage leadership and functional groups in process approach and risk based thinking concepts
- Lead senior management in establishing/acknowledging strategic direction
- Determine extent of documented information required by ISO 45001:2018 Standard and aligned with strategic planning.
- Develop documented information, train employees on OHSMS and roll it out.
- Evaluate the effectiveness of OHSMS through internal audit, KPIs and management review.
- Registrar conducts Stage 1 Audit.
- Registrar conducts Stage 2 Audit.
- Identify gaps and develop/implement continual improvement plan.
Benefits of ISO 45001 Occupational Health & Safety
Implementing an ISO 45001 Occupational health and safety management system will help you assess the overall context of your organization to define who is affected by your work and what they expect from you. This will enable you to clearly state your objectives and identify new business opportunities. Here are some benefits of implementing ISO 45001 for Occupational Health and Safety:
Worker Safety: Establishes a framework for identifying and controlling workplace risks, significantly reducing the incidence of work-related injuries and illnesses.
Risk Management: Facilitates the systematic identification and management of potential hazards, helping to prevent accidents and minimize business disruptions.
Compliance: Demonstrates adherence to legal and regulatory health and safety standards, helping organizations avoid legal penalties and stay updated with industry best practices.
Improved Stakeholder Relationships: Builds trust and enhances relationships with employees, customers, and investors by showing a strong commitment to health and safety.
Operational Efficiency: Leads to reduced downtime and lower costs related to workplace incidents, improving overall productivity and financial performance.
ISO 45001 Meaning
So, what is ISO 45001? In simpler terms, ISO 45001 helps an organization or a business create a safer workplace by implementing a set of guidelines and policies focused on occupational health and safety.
For example, consider a manufacturing company like XYZ Manufacturing. They might use the occupational health and safetystandard to conduct regular safety audits, provide comprehensive employee training programs on equipment use, and perform risk assessments to identify and mitigate workplace hazards.
Developed by health and safety experts, ISO 45001 is an international standard for occupational health and safety. It integrates approaches from ISO 9001 and ISO 14001, aiming to prevent work-related injuries and illnesses, improve Occupational health and safety performance, and ensure compliance with legal requirements.
Work Related Injuries
Work-related injuries and illnesses can vary widely, but some common examples include:
- Injuries: Slips, trips, falls, repetitive strain injuries, and machinery-related accidents.
- Illnesses: Respiratory conditions from exposure to hazardous substances, hearing loss due to prolonged exposure to loud noises, and stress-related disorders.
Ensure Compliance with Legal Requirements
Compliance with legal requirements is a critical aspect of ISO 45001. Organizations can achieve this by:
- Legal Awareness: Keeping up-to-date with national and international OH&S laws and regulations.
- Documentation: Maintaining thorough records of safety procedures, incidents, and corrective actions taken.
- Regular Audits: Conducting internal and external audits to verify compliance, identify areas for improvement, and ensure ongoing adherence to safety standards.
Improve OH&S Performance
To enhance Occupational Health and Safety (OH&S) performance, organizations can adopt several practices:
- Risk Assessment: Regularly identify and evaluate workplace hazards to implement appropriate control measures.
- Training and Education: Provide ongoing training programs to ensure employees are well-versed in safety practices and aware of potential risks.
- Monitoring and Review: Continuously monitor OH&S performance through regular audits, inspections, and feedback mechanisms. Implement necessary improvements based on these evaluations to ensure ongoing safety and compliance.
The Value of ISO 45001 Certification for Your Business
ISO 45001:2018 certification demonstrates that an organization is committed to maintaining a safe and healthy workplace by adhering to rigorous health and safety protocols. Achieving the OHSMS certification assures an organization and its stakeholders that it has an OHSMS in place and is held accountable for conforming with ISO 45001 Standard by respective Registrars.
During certification process, external Registrar ensures that the organization’s policies, procedures, and supporting documentation conform to the requirements of the Occupational Health and Safety Standard. Being OHSMS certified leads to a disciplined and structured approach for a healthy and safe workplace by preventing OHS
hazards and risks. Being ISO 45001 certified enhances due-diligence, stakeholder perception, cost reduction, OHS improvement, process improvement and overall organizational performance excellence.
- What is Ohsms? – Learn what is OHSMS, its requirements, benefits, importance, how to implement it and more.
- Core Elements of Ohsms – Learn about the 10 clauses of Occupational Health & Safety Management System.
- Difference Between ISO 45001 and OHSAS 18001: Transitioning from OHSAS 18001 to ISO 45001.
OHSMS Case Studies
Frequently Asked Questions
Explore most commonly asked questions which can provide a clearer understanding of how ISO 45001 can empower businesses to thrive in an increasingly complex and competitive landscape.
ISO 45001:2018 is an international standard for health and safety at work developed by national and international standards committees independent of government. Implementing ISO 45001 may help your organization demonstrate compliance with health and safety law.
The cost to achieve ISO 45001 certification depends upon following factors:
- Knowledge and awareness of ISO 45001:2018 Standard
- Extent of existing OHS documents
- Knowledge and awareness of compliance obligations
- Organizational culture
- Knowledge and awareness of process approach and risk-based thinking concepts
- Organizational size and nature of products/services offered
ISO 45001 clauses include:
- Scope
- Normative references
- Terms and definitions
- Context of the organization
- Leadership and worker participation
- Planning
- Support
- Operation
- Performance evaluation
- Improvement
ISO 45001:2018 OHSMS addresses all 10 clauses of ISO 45001:2018 Standard. ISO 45001:2018 based OHSMS enables organizations to provide safe and healthy workplaces by managing its OHS hazards and risks as well as by proactively improving its OH&S performance. In addition, it enables the fulfilment of legal requirements and other requirements.
Verifying an ISO 45001 certificate involves several key steps to ensure its validity. Here’s a simple guide to help you:
1. Check the International Accreditation Forum (IAF): Visit the IAF website to confirm if the certification body is listed. If it’s not on the IAF list, the certificate is not valid.
2. National Accreditation Body: Verify if the certification is issued by a recognized national accreditation body. These bodies are responsible for accrediting organizations within their respective countries.
3. Expiration Date: Look at the expiration date on the certificate. ISO certifications are typically valid for three years. If the date has passed or is missing, the certificate is invalid.
4. Recertification Status: Ensure the organization has undergone recertification. ISO certifications require renewal every three years. Without recertification, the certificate is not valid.
5. Suspension or Revocation: Check if the certification has been suspended or revoked. Suspended certifications indicate non-compliance, while revoked certifications mean the organization is no longer certified.
6. Third-Party Accreditation: Confirm that the organization is accredited by a reputable third party. Not all accreditation bodies are equal, so ensure the accrediting body is well-regarded.
7. Contact the Certification Body: Reach out to the certification body directly. They can provide the most accurate information on the certificate’s status and the organization’s standing.
By following these steps, you can ensure the ISO 45001 certificate you’re verifying is legitimate and current.
Five out of 17 UN SDGs align with the focus of ISO 45001. These are:
- Gender equality, decent work and economic growth.
- Industry, innovation and infrastructure.
- Reduced inequalities.
- Sustainable cities, and communities.
- peace, justice, and strong institutions.
