Fulfilling health, safety, and environmental requirements is a priority for all businesses. Still, workplace accidents and work-related illnesses continue to occur. According to the International Labour Organization (ILO), more than 2.78 million people die each year due to occupational incidents. The consequences are significant for families and communities, while businesses often face major financial costs.
To enhance safety and reduce work-related illnesses, the international standard ISO 45001 was created. It aims to help organizations take proactive measures and make continuous improvements that lead to safer working conditions.
This article provides an overview of what ISO 45001 entails and the advantages of adopting it. You’ll also learn about the steps involved in becoming certified and get answers to whether your company actually needs certification at all.
What Is ISO 45001?
ISO 45001 is an international standard for occupational health and safety, developed to ensure a continuous focus on employees’ physical and mental well-being. It’s structured similarly to ISO 9001, making it easy to integrate into your company’s existing management system.
When policies, goals, and procedures related to workplace safety are incorporated into your management system, it becomes easier to manage OHS (Occupational Health & Safety) risks and track the results of different initiatives. Having a clear picture of OHS challenges allows you to set ongoing targets for employee safety and health, while monitoring how effectively your improvements are working.
ISO 45001:2018 replaces OHSAS 18001 from the British Standards Institution. Whereas OHSAS 18001 was more procedure-based and mainly addressed risk, ISO 45001 takes a broader approach—focusing on processes, various stakeholders, and both risks and opportunities. This makes ISO 45001 more holistic in its approach to workplace safety.
Five Reasons to Comply with ISO 45001
An effective OHS management framework is crucial for preventing work-related illnesses, injuries, and fatalities, as well as helping you comply with regulations and improve overall safety. Here are five benefits you can gain by aligning with ISO 45001:
- Satisfied Employees
Prioritizing health, environment, and safety creates a secure and healthy workplace, reducing turnover and making you more attractive as an employer. - New Business Opportunities
Being able to demonstrate a structured OHS program can open doors to new clients and markets, especially where contracts require OHS certification. - Legal and Regulatory Compliance
The ISO 45001 framework helps ensure compliance with laws and regulations, minimizing the risk of fines or other penalties. - Enhanced Reputation
Systematic OHS efforts improve the overall quality of your organization’s operations and strengthen your company’s standing with both customers and partners. - Competitive Advantage
High-quality products and services, along with satisfied customers and employees, give you a clear edge in the competition for projects and talent.
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The Path to ISO 45001 Certification
Navigating the certification process can seem daunting. Below is a roadmap to help guide you:
- Dive into ISO 45001
Visit the official ISO website for detailed information. - Compliance Assessment
Review your organization to identify possible gaps relative to the standard. Compare current routines and internal controls to the requirements of ISO 45001. - Project Plan
Create a plan for the certification process and set a date for the audit. - Close Non-Conformities
Assign responsibility for addressing any issues and ensure new procedures are properly implemented and understood. - Internal Audit
Conduct a thorough internal audit and resolve any nonconformities before the transition audit. - Transition Audit
Schedule and carry out the audit in collaboration with a certification body. - Internal Follow-Up
Form a team of managers, employees, and internal auditors to maintain and further develop OHS practices.
ISO certifications last for three years, as long as you continue to fulfill the requirements and can document the use of your management system.
Do We Really Need Certification?
It’s entirely possible to follow ISO 45001’s requirements without pursuing formal certification. Many of the benefits—such as a safer working environment—can be gained simply by adhering to the standard’s principles. Nevertheless, certification can offer a competitive edge, particularly if clients or partners specifically request it.
Document How You Work—Simply and Effectively
Practicing strong OHS management and continuous improvement calls for digital tools that make it easy to follow procedures, record deviations and potential improvements, and maintain a realistic overview of the situation. User-friendly systems are crucial so every employee can help create a safer workplace.
With Business Online, you can manage occupational health and safety processes easily, since it integrates with Microsoft 365. You’ll have solid support when implementing ISO 45001 and completing audits.
Choosing a tool designed to meet both employee and management needs lays a strong foundation for a sustainable and efficient OHS practice.