ISO 45001:2018 Standard
Occupational health and safety management systems
The ISO 45001:2018 Standard is a globally recognized framework for occupational health and safety management systems. It helps organizations improve employee safety, reduce workplace risks, and create better, safer working conditions. By implementing ISO 45001:2018, businesses can demonstrate their commitment to maintaining a safe and healthy work environment.
Learn what is ISO 45001, its benefits, requirements, how to get certified & more.
What is ISO 45001?
ISO 45001 is an international standard for occupational health and safety management systems (OHSMS). It specifies requirements for a system to manage workplace health and safety, aiming to prevent work-related injuries and illnesses and to provide safe and healthy workplaces.
ISO 45001 is applicable to organizations of all sizes, across all industries. It follows a structured approach to identifying hazards, assessing risks, and implementing controls to improve safety performance. The standard also helps organizations comply with applicable health and safety legislation.
Key Components of ISO 45001:
- Scope
- Normative
- Terms and definitions
- Context of the Organization: Understanding the internal and external factors affecting OH&S performance.
- Leadership and Worker Participation: Top management commitment and active involvement of employees in the OH&S management system.
- Planning: Identifying risks and opportunities, setting OH&S objectives, and planning actions to achieve them.
- Support: resources, competence, awareness, communication, and documented information needed to implement and maintain the OHSMS.
- Operation: Implementing risk controls and managing changes to ensure the system’s effectiveness.
- Performance Evaluation: Monitoring, measuring, analyzing, and evaluating OH&S performance, and conducting internal audits and management reviews.
- Improvement: Identifying opportunities for improvement and taking actions to continually enhance OH&S performance.
Why is ISO 45001 important?
ISO 45001 is crucial for organizations aiming to create a safe and healthy work environment. Here are some reasons why it is important:
1. Proactive Risk Management:
- ISO 45001 promotes a proactive approach to identifying hazards and managing risks before they result in incidents. This shift from reactive to proactive management helps organizations prevent accidents and illnesses.
2. Regulatory Compliance:
- Compliance with legal and regulatory requirements is a fundamental aspect of ISO 45001. The standard helps organizations stay up-to-date with changing OH&S laws and regulations, avoiding legal penalties and improving overall compliance.
3. Enhanced Reputation and Trust:
- Achieving ISO 45001 certification demonstrates a commitment to health and safety, enhancing the organization’s reputation among customers, employees, investors, and regulatory bodies. It builds trust and can lead to better business opportunities.
4. Operational Efficiency:
- Implementing ISO 45001 can lead to operational improvements, such as reduced downtime due to fewer accidents, improved employee morale, and increased productivity. A safe work environment encourages employees to perform at their best.
In a recent issue of the Health and Safety Report, published by the Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety (CCOHS), the importance of workplace safety was discussed in depth. For more information, you can read the article here.
Looking to certify your organization's OHSMS?
Contact JSA Inc. for questions related to your company’s OHSMS certification. Our proven and successful strategies can help you achieve OHSMS certification without any delays and hassles. Hire JSA for certification project!
Benefits of ISO 45001:2018
An ISO 45001:2018 certified OHSMS offers numerous benefits:
1. Enhanced Business Opportunities:
- A strong safety record can help win new business and retain existing clients. Many organizations prefer to work with partners who demonstrate a commitment to health and safety through certification.
2. Regulatory Compliance:
- Facilitates compliance with OH&S regulations, reducing the risk of legal penalties. The standard ensures that organizations are aware of and adhere to relevant laws and regulations.
3. Productivity Improvements:
- Reduces workplace incidents, leading to fewer disruptions and higher productivity. A safe work environment minimizes absenteeism and turnover, contributing to a more stable and productive workforce.
4. Stakeholder Trust:
- Builds trust with employees, clients, and regulatory bodies through demonstrated commitment to safety. ISO 45001 certification signals to stakeholders that the organization values their well-being.
5. Continuous Improvement:
- ISO 45001 fosters a culture of continuous improvement, encouraging organizations to regularly assess and enhance their OH&S practices. This leads to sustained improvements in health and safety performance over time.
Steps to ISO 45001 certification
JSA Inc. can guide your organization through the ISO 45001 certification process:
Scope and Training: Define the scope and provide training on ISO 45001 requirements and risk-based thinking. This ensures that all employees understand the importance of OH&S and their role in maintaining a safe workplace.
Gap Analysis: Identify gaps in your current OH&S practices against ISO 45001 standards. This step involves assessing existing processes and identifying areas for improvement.
OHSMS Design: Develop a comprehensive OHSMS, including policies, objectives, risk registers, and procedures. This phase involves creating the necessary documentation and processes to meet ISO 45001 requirements.
Implementation: Implement the designed OHSMS, ensuring all processes and controls are in place. This involves putting the system into practice and ensuring that all employees follow the established procedures.
Internal Evaluation: Conduct internal audits, management reviews, and address any gaps identified. Regular internal audits help identify non-conformities and areas for improvement.
Stage 1 External Evaluation: External auditor reviews documentation and readiness. This stage involves an initial audit to assess the organization’s preparedness for certification.
Stage 2 External Evaluation: Auditor assesses the implementation and effectiveness of the OHSMS. This comprehensive audit evaluates the practical implementation of the system and its effectiveness in managing OH&S risks.
Certification Issuance: Address any audit findings and achieve ISO 45001 certification. Once any non-conformities are resolved, the certification body will issue the ISO 45001 certificate.
Sustain Certification: Maintain and continually improve the OHSMS through regular audits and reviews. Ongoing surveillance audits ensure that the system remains effective and up-to-date.
ISO 45001 Metrics and KPIs
Tracking key performance indicators (KPIs) is crucial for maintaining an effective OHSMS:
Safety KPIs:
- Total Recordable Incident Rate (TRIR): Measures the total number of recordable incidents per 200,000 work hours.
- Lost Time Injury Frequency Rate (LTIFR): Indicates the frequency of lost-time injuries per million hours worked.
- Near Miss Rate: Tracks the number of near-miss incidents to identify potential hazards.
- Safety Violations: Monitors the number of safety violations to ensure compliance with safety protocols.
Health KPIs:
- Employee Attendance Rate: Measures the overall attendance rate, indicating employee health and well-being.
- Overtime Hours: Tracks the average overtime hours per person to monitor work-life balance.
- Environment Satisfaction Score: Gauges employee satisfaction with their working environment.
Process KPIs:
- Prevention Costs: Calculates the monthly costs associated with health and safety prevention measures.
- Employee Training Rates: Measures the percentage of employees trained in OH&S procedures.
- Risk Resolution Times: Tracks the average time taken to resolve identified risks and issues.
Looking to get certified? We offer online training courses!
Purpose of ISO 45001:2018 certification
ISO 45001:2018 certification signifies an organization’s unwavering dedication to prioritizing the health and safety of its workforce. It serves as a testament to proactive risk management, continuous improvement, and adherence to rigorous standards.
This certification enhances organizational credibility, fostering trust among stakeholders and demonstrating a commitment to employee well-being. Beyond compliance, ISO 45001 certification instills a culture of safety, driving operational efficiency and employee morale.
In essence, ISO 45001 certification is a declaration of safety as a core organizational value, ensuring a workplace where every individual’s health and safety is paramount.
How has the structure of the standard changed?
The structure has been changed to align with the common 10-clause high level structure developed by ISO to ensure greater harmonization among its many different management system standards. The new revision to ISO 45001 will also adopt this same structure, which is built around the PDCA (Plan-Do-Check-Act) sequence. All ISO management system standards are now required to adopt this structure. This will make it easier for organizations to address the requirements of more than one ISO Management System Standard within a single, integrated system.
How have the documentation requirements changed?
The documentation requirements under ISO 45001:2018 have shifted focus. Specific documented procedures are no longer explicitly mentioned. Instead, organizations are tasked with maintaining documented information necessary to support the operation of their processes and to have confidence that these processes are being carried out as planned. The extent of documentation required varies depending on the organization’s business context, allowing for more flexibility in documentation practices.
Why has management review been moved to performance evaluation?
In ISO 45001:2018, management review has been integrated into the performance evaluation process (9.3). This change aligns with the Plan-Do-Check-Act cycle, emphasizing the importance of evaluating the performance of the OH&S management system. By placing management review after the measurement of system performance, organizations can better assess the effectiveness of their quality management systems and make informed decisions for improvement.
What is risk-based thinking and why has it been introduced into the standard?
Risk-based thinking is a key concept introduced in ISO 45001:2018 to address the question of risk systematically. While the concept of risk has always been implicit in quality management systems, ISO 45001:2018 formalizes the approach by emphasizing the importance of considering risks and opportunities in all organizational processes. Risk-based thinking encourages organizations to identify, assess, and mitigate risks in a manner that aligns with their business context. It recognizes that formal risk management methodologies and risk assessments may not be suitable for all situations, emphasizing the need for a flexible and context-specific approach to managing risk.
What has been changed in terms of planning?
ISO 45001:2018 emphasizes the importance of addressing risks and opportunities, quality objectives, and planning of changes throughout the organization. This holistic approach to planning recognizes that organizations must adapt to new products, technologies, markets, and business opportunities while managing associated risks effectively. By integrating risk management into the planning process, ISO 45001:2018 helps organizations balance the pursuit of opportunities with the mitigation of potential risks, ensuring a controlled and sustainable approach to growth and development.
JSA can help you become a Lead Auditor
Unlock Your Potential as an ISO 45001:2018 Auditor/Lead Auditor
Embark on a 36-hour journey towards ISO 45001:2018 Auditor/Lead Auditor Certification with our accredited course, endorsed by Exemplar Global. Developed by industry experts at Jack Sekhon and Associates, this comprehensive program equips you with the necessary skills to excel in auditing Occupational Health and Safety Management Systems (OHSMS).
Upon certification, you gain the versatility to audit either internally within your organization or externally for a registrar. This credential not only enhances your earning potential but also positions you as a catalyst for organizational growth, diligence, and efficiency. Don’t miss out on this opportunity to make a meaningful impact while advancing your career. Enroll today and become a leader in ensuring workplace safety and excellence.
Consult JSA Inc. today to get started!
Health & Safety Resources
Auditor Training Courses
- 2 Day Occupational Health and Safety Requirements – Instructor Led Online Training Course.
- 3 Day Internal Auditing – Instructor Led Online Training Course.
- 4 Day Lead Auditor – Instructor Led Online Training Course.
OHS Articles
- 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.
Successful Case Studies
Frequently Asked Questions
Check out answers to Frequently Asked Questions.
Who needs to be involved in ISO 45001?
ISO 45001 involves everyone in an organization, including permanent and temporary workers, visitors, and neighbors. It spans all departments and divisions, fostering collaborative relationships.
What fundamental concepts support ISO 45001:2018 standard?
Key concepts supporting ISO 45001:2018 include understanding the process approach, applying it through the PDCA cycle, and implementing risk-based thinking.
How do you become an ISO 45001:2018 Certified Auditor/Lead Auditor?
To become certified:
- Complete ISO 45001:2018 Certified Auditor/Lead Auditor Course/Training.
- Accumulate a minimum of 5 years OHSMS experience.
- Gain 20 audit days for Auditor and 15 additional days as lead auditor.
- Have your experience endorsed by a Supervisor/Manager.
- Apply to Auditor Certification body such as Exemplar Global.
What is the difference between OHSAS 18001 and ISO 45001?
OHSAS 18001 focuses on hazard control and compliance with occupational health and safety regulations. ISO 45001 adopts a proactive approach, addressing hazard risks before they lead to accidents. It emphasizes solutions over solely identifying risks.
