ISO 45001 is an international standard for occupational health and safety management systems (OH&S). It provides a framework for organisations to establish, implement, maintain, and continually improve systems and processes aimed at ensuring a safe and healthy workplace. ISO 45001 is designed to be applicable to organisations of all sizes and industries.
Key elements and principles of ISO 45001 include:
Scope and Applicability
Identifying the boundaries and applicability of the occupational health and safety management system within the organisation.
Leadership and Worker Participation
Ensuring leadership commitment to occupational health and safety, and involving workers in decision-making processes.
Planning
Identifying hazards, assessing risks, and determining necessary controls to ensure the health and safety of workers and others affected by the organisation’s activities.
Support and Resources
Providing the necessary resources, including training and awareness programs, to implement and maintain the OH&S management system.
Operational Planning and Control
Implementing processes to manage the organization’s operations in accordance with its OH&S policy, objectives, and legal requirements.
Performance Evaluation
Establishing processes for monitoring, measuring, analysing, and evaluating OH&S performance, including the effectiveness of controls.
Improvement
Implementing processes for continual improvement of the OH&S management system to enhance overall safety and health performance.
ISO 45001 places a strong emphasis on the involvement of workers in the identification and control of hazards, fostering a proactive approach to occupational health and safety. The standard also encourages organisations to consider the context in which they operate, taking into account the needs and expectations of interested parties.
Achieving ISO 45001 certification involves a comprehensive audit by an accredited certification body. Certification demonstrates an organisation’s commitment to the well-being of its employees and others affected by its activities, and it provides assurance that the organisation is actively managing occupational health and safety risks.
ISO 45001 is intended to integrate seamlessly with other management system standards, such as ISO 9001 (Quality Management) and ISO 14001 (Environmental Management), allowing organisations to create an integrated approach to managing quality, environmental, and health and safety aspects.