ISO 45001 was first published in 2018 by the International Organization for Standardization (ISO). It was developed to address the increasing demand for a unified standard in occupational health and safety.
ISO 45001 is designed to be applicable globally across all industries, providing a framework to help businesses improve workplace safety and reduce risks.
As a widely adopted standard, ISO 45001 supports organisations in demonstrating their commitment to health and safety management.
ISO 45001 outlines the framework for establishing an effective Occupational Health and Safety Management System. The standard focuses on several key areas for a safe and healthy workplace:
These requirements help you build a framework that prioritises employee well-being and minimises workplace hazards, ultimately leading to a safer and more productive work environment.
ISO 45001 certification demonstrates that your organisation’s OH&S Management System aligns with the requirements of the ISO 45001 standard. Employees, partners, and regulators can all feel more secure in the knowledge that your business prioritises safety and effectively manages workplace risks.
Certification evaluates your OH&S Management System and an independent body assesses your policies, procedures, and practices. If they meet ISO 45001 standards, you will achieve certification, which requires periodic renewal to maintain compliance.
To achieve certification, organisations will need to follow these steps:
Though the certification process can be demanding, thorough preparation makes it attainable and advantageous for your organisation.
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The ISO 45001 standard focuses specifically on Occupational Health and Safety Management Systems. Unlike standards like ISO 9001 (which focuses on quality) or ISO 14001 (which focuses on environmental management), ISO 45001 is a framework for managing and improving workplace safety.
The framework helps businesses take a proactive, risk-based approach to identifying and managing workplace hazards. This helps them to foster a culture of prevention.
The standard also highlights the importance of leadership and worker participation. Integrating safety into an organisation’s culture requires active engagement from its leadership team and employees.
Designed to be compatible with other ISO standards, ISO 45001 works with existing management systems. It is used globally, which makes it a consistent framework for organisations operating internationally.
Clause 5.2 addresses the requirement for an OH&S policy, which falls under the broader section of Leadership and worker participation.
The ISO 45001 policy serves as a foundation for setting objectives and targets, guiding the business’s overall approach to managing health and safety risks.
The policy must detail an organisation’s commitment to occupational health and safety as part of its OH&S Management System and should outline the organisation’s intentions and direction regarding OH&S performance. Key elements typically include:
The policy itself should be communicated within the organisation and be available to employees, clients or regulatory bodies.
ISO 45001 and ISO 14001 are different standards with different objectives. Some differences between them include:
Focus and Objectives
Risk and Stakeholder Engagement
The ISO 45001 standard itself provides a comprehensive framework for occupational health and safety management. It is built on several key principles for the organisation to follow, aimed at improving occupational health and safety. These include:
