Boost Workplace Safety with ISO 45001: Everything You Need to Know About Occupational Health & Safety
Over 2.78 million people die annually as a result of work-related incidents, according to The International Labour Organization (ILO). Behind every number, families, colleagues and communities are affected. For the business, it also means fines, loss of production and reputational risk.
ISO 45001 is the international standard designed to counteract this. It provides organisations with a framework for working systematically with the working environment, rather than putting out fires after something has gone wrong.
What Is ISO 45001?
ISO 45001 is an international standard for the working environment, developed to provide a continuous focus on employees' physical and mental health. It is structured in the same way as ISO 9001, making it easy to integrate into a company's existing management system.
When policies, objectives, and procedures for the working environment become part of the management system, it becomes easier to manage HSE risks and measure the effect of measures. You can set goals for employee safety and health, and
actually monitor whether the measures are working.
ISO 45001:2018 erstatter OHSAS 18001 from the British Standards Institution. The difference? OHSAS 18001 was procedure-based and only dealt with risk. ISO 45001 places greater emphasis on processes and different stakeholders
and both risks and opportunities. The approach is more holistic.
Five reasons to work to ISO 45001
1. Lower throughput
Employees who experience that their employer takes health and safety seriously stay longer. A safe working environment is also one of the strongest arguments when you recruit.
2. New business opportunities
Many customers and tenders require documented HSE work. Particularly in oil/gas, construction and industry, a lack of documentation can mean that you won't even be considered.
3. Fewer fines and sanctions
ISO 45001 provides you with a framework for complying with current laws and regulations. It reduces the risk of costly surprises from the Health and Safety Executive.
4. Stronger reputation
Systematic HSE (Health, Safety, and Environment) work shows that you take responsibility. This is noticed by customers, partners, and potential employees.
5. Competitive advantage in tenders and recruitment
Companies that can document quality and safety are more likely to win contracts. And attract better people.
The Path to ISO 45001 Certification
The process doesn't have to be overwhelming. Here are the steps:
Do you really need certification?
Not necessarily. Many of the benefits can be realised simply by working according to the principles of the standard. A better working environment and higher safety do not require a stamp from a certification body.
But certification can provide an advantage in situations where customers or partners request it. Consider what your customers expect.
Want to see what this looks like in practice?
Lie Blikk received three ISO certifications at the same time as they introduced Business Online. The quality control plans were what tied the system together.
Document how you work
Good HSE management requires people to actually report deviations, follow procedures and have access to up-to-date documentation. It doesn't happen by itself. It requires tools that are simple enough for everyone to use.
Business Online gives you KHMS tools integrated with Microsoft 365. You can handle non-conformity registration, risk assessments and audits without switching systems. This makes it easier to work according to ISO 45001, whether you're aiming for certification or just want better control.
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