Manage occupational health and safety (OH&S) risks to ensure stable operations
Manage occupational health and safety (OH&S) risks to ensure stable operations
ISO 45001 is an international standard that specifies requirements for an occupational health and safety (OH&S) management system, which will improve the safety and health of both employees and other personnel.
Introduced in March 2018, ISO 45001 marks a significant step forward in the overall effort to improve OH&S worldwide. Published by the International Organization for Standardization (ISO), the standard enables organizations to proactively improve injury prevention and reduce sickness or illness, while protecting their longevity.
ISO 45001 supersedes previous occupational health and safety standards, including OHSAS 18001.
To survive in the competitive global marketplace, organizations must proactively manage all types of risk to the business, and the issue of occupational health and safety is no exception. Being ISO 45001 certified will provide new impetus for occupational health and safety practices in organizations and will help improve safety for employees and contractors. This translates into additional opportunities for protecting and promoting worker’s health and performance, boosting employee motivation to follow safety best practices.
Implementing ISO 45001 helps organizations effectively manage occupational health and safety risks while demonstrating a strong commitment to worker wellbeing. Key benefits include:
Structured OH&S risk management – Provides a globally recognized framework for identifying hazards, implementing risk controls, and reducing workplace incidents, injuries, and illnesses.
Commitment to worker safety – Enhances trust among employees and stakeholders by demonstrating a proactive approach to health, safety, and wellbeing.
Regulatory compliance – Helps organizations meet OH&S legal requirements while promoting proactive risk management, which may also reduce insurance costs.
Enhanced resilience – Strengthens emergency preparedness and response, improving the organization’s ability to manage safety threats and crises.
Continuous improvement – Uses the Plan-Do-Check-Act approach to refine and develop OH&S systems, ensuring long-term safety performance.
ISO 45001 is an essential standard for your organization if you want to protect workers, reduce risks, and foster a culture of safety.
Although ISO 45001 constitutes a fully new standard, its foundations already existed in its predecessor, OHSAS 18001. Companies that have already implemented an occupational health and safety management system in accordance with OHSAS 18001, and actively apply it in everyday company practice, can expect a smooth transition to ISO 45001.
Implements the high level structure a common framework with other management systems, such as ISO 9001 and ISO 14001.
Places great emphasis on the responsibility of senior management which has already been implemented in the revised ISO 9001 and ISO 14001 standards.
Explicitly includes persons who are not permanently employed Those working under the responsibility of the organization, such as subcontractors and processes outsourced in their entirety are included.
Introduces the term “opportunities” as a new aspect in the field of occupational health and safety. This covers issues that go beyond the mere elimination or minimization of OHS risks and hazards.
Learn more about the ISO 45001 requirements on the ISO website.
TÜV SÜD is an internationally accredited certification body for a wide range of ISO standards, including ISO 45001 and we have extensive experience in auditing and certifying against ISO management systems.
In addition to offering comprehensive evaluations and reports, we can provide you with our TÜV SÜD certification mark, which is globally recognized and synonymous with quality and safety.
Years of experience: TÜV SÜD is a leading provider of management systems solutions, having issued tens of thousands of management systems certificates to businesses of all sizes across the globe.
International presence: Take advantage of our global reach, providing you with consistent and standardized audit practices across multiple regions, enhancing compliance and oversight.
Customized solutions: We can act as a one-stop provider for all your management system certification needs by offering integrated management system services.
Expert partnership: TÜV SÜD’s experts are recognized by authorities, both nationally and internationally, and have a history of completing successful audits across various industries.
Dedicated project manager: Enjoy the convenience of having a single point of contact with a dedicated project manager who ensures your audit project is managed efficiently and delivered on time.
As an internationally accredited Certification Body, we have the expertise to assess your organization against the ISO 45001 standard requirements. Before the certification audit can take place, the management system must be implemented, and its effectiveness documented against compliance requirements. We have experience with assisting organizations in both stages of the ISO 45001 certification process.
If you need help with getting ready for your ISO 45001 audit, trust us to provide the insights and assurance necessary to help you achieve the required ISO standard with our pre-audit assessment service.
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ISO 45001 certification offers several operational benefits.
It is an international benchmark and a sign of being socially responsible.
You can set up operational controls that consider risks, opportunities, and legal requirements.
Effective occupational health and safety (OH&S) at the workplace can help you reduce your insurance premiums.
The certification helps increase employee awareness about OH&S risks, ensuring workers’ active participation in health and safety matters.
Better management of health and safety risks not only helps protect employees, but also reduces absence resulting from poor health and safety management systems at the workplace.
The standard enables you to identify potential hazards, establish controls and implement measures to minimize risk, mitigate the impact, and ensure the safety of employees, customers, and visitors at the workplace.
The certification enhances your ability to respond to regulatory compliance issues, thus reducing the overall incident downtime and cost.
ISO 45001 is important because it sets international standards for occupational health and safety management systems. It helps organizations reduce workplace risks, prevent injuries, and improve employee well-being. Compliance boosts safety culture, ensures legal conformity, and enhances reputation, leading to fewer incidents and higher productivity.
Any organization that wants to improve workplace safety, reduce risks, and comply with occupational health and safety laws can seek ISO 45001 certification. It applies to businesses of all sizes and industries, including manufacturing, construction, healthcare, and services, to protect employees and enhance operational efficiency.
ISO 45001 is not a legal requirement. It is a voluntary international standard that organizations adopt to improve occupational health and safety. While not mandated by law, achieving certification can help meet legal obligations by aligning safety management systems with regulatory requirements and best practices.
The main difference between OHSAS 18001 and ISO 45001 is that ISO 45001 is an updated, internationally recognized standard aligned with the ISO High-Level Structure, making it easier to integrate with ISO 9001 and ISO 14001. ISO 45001 emphasizes risk management, worker participation, and proactive hazard prevention, while OHSAS 18001 focused more on hazard control.
ISO 45001 certification is an official recognition that an organization’s occupational health and safety management system meets the requirements of the ISO 45001 international standard. It verifies that the organization effectively manages workplace risks, prevents injuries, and promotes employee well-being through structured safety processes.
The benefits of ISO 45001 certification include reduced workplace accidents, improved legal compliance, and enhanced employee safety culture. It increases operational efficiency by identifying and controlling risks, boosts stakeholder trust through proven safety standards, and can lower insurance costs by demonstrating a proactive approach to occupational health and safety.
The main difference between ISO 45001 and ISO 9001 is their focus. ISO 45001 sets requirements for occupational health and safety management systems to reduce workplace risks and improve employee well-being. ISO 9001 focuses on quality management systems to ensure products and services consistently meet customer and regulatory requirements.
Get ISO 45001 certified by implementing an occupational health and safety management system that meets ISO 45001 requirements, conducting internal audits, and completing a management review. Then, hire an accredited certification body such as TÜV SÜD to perform a certification audit. Upon passing, the organization receives official ISO 45001 certification.
Learn how you can help bring better practices to your organization with ISO 45001
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