OH&S management System: ISO 45001:2018

In March 2018, the International Organization for Standardization published ISO 45001:2018 – Occupational Health and Safety Management System Requirements (OHSMS). This international standard will give organizations a framework to improve employee safety, reduce workplace risks and create better, safer working conditions, all over the world. It follows other management system approaches such as ISO 14001:2015 and ISO 9001:2015 and takes into account other International Standards in this area such as International Labor Organization’s ILO-OSH Guidelines, various national standards and the ILO’s international labor standards and conventions. The most significant change to ISO 45001:2018 is the move to an annex SL structure. The standard structure is based on ten sections, and focuses more on harmonization with other ISO standards as ISO 9001, ISO 14001, ISO 50001, etc. Those standards –with ISO 45001:2018-shared approximately 35% of the same requirements. Organizations using multiple management systems (e.g. Quality, Environmental, and OH&S) will benefit from integration of these systems
In addition, professional auditors’ feedbacks and discussion –as in FQC company- shall help organization in determining the required improvement and sustainable ways for achieving its objectives. Organizations that integrate two or more systems will enjoy a cost reduction up to 20%, depending on the degree of integration.

ISO 45001:2018 Highlights

  • New Annex SL Structure like other ISO standards
  • Clear understanding of organization’s context regarding OH&S
  • Understanding the expectations and needs of interested parties

  • Emphasis on leadership to ensure support and on-going commitment from top management down (close the barriers between up and down streams), by evident participation from non-managerial workers

  • Assessment of risks and opportunities including hazard identification considering weakness and threats of the organization
  • Ensure the supply chain, including outsourcing, procurement, and contractors affecting the OH&S management system are controlled using the Hierarchy of Controls
  • On-going, thorough OH&S performance evaluation

What are the Benefits of ISO 45001:2018?

International Organization for Standardization has created the OH&S standard that easily integrates with other ISO standards as they all use the Annex SL structure. The benefits of implementing an effective health and safety management system can include:

  • Improving management commitment and employee involvement with clear evidences

  • Providing ways to measure the effectiveness of a health and safety program
  • Opportunity to introduce other OH&S aspects such as worker wellness/well-being

  • Improving worker protection by eliminating serious hazards

  • Reducing worker risk of death, injury and illness on the job
  • Reducing workers’ compensation rates and other costs, lowering absenteeism, and increasing productivity and morale
  • Reducing damage to company property and costs associated with idle periods
  • Helping keep turnover down and attract new employees
  • Stimulating employees to continually improve systems
  • Improving relationship with OSHA

Reasons to Register Your OHSMS

  • Demonstrate and verify your commitment to provide safe working conditions
  • Verify execution of OH&S strategies
  • Facilitate compliance with legal requirements
  • Increase Union and employee cooperation
  • Reduce insurance and lost time costs
  • Establish leadership position in the industry
  • Improve OH&S performance
  • Improve or maintain public image

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