ISO 45001:2018 Occupational Health And Safety (OHS)

ISO 45001:2018 is an international standard that specifies requirements for an occupational health and safety (OH&S) management system. It helps organizations to proactively improve their OH&S performance by preventing work-related injury and ill-health, as well as by providing a safe and healthy workplace.

Here are some key aspects and components of ISO 45001:2018:

1. Scope: The standard applies to all types and sizes of organizations and is intended to be applicable to any organization, regardless of its activities, products, or services.
2. Leadership and Worker Participation: ISO 45001 emphasizes the importance of leadership and worker participation in the OH&S management system. Top management is required to demonstrate leadership and commitment to the management system, while workers should be actively involved in identifying hazards, assessing risks, and suggesting improvements.
3. Planning: Organizations need to identify hazards, assess risks, and establish objectives and processes to improve OH&S performance. This includes setting measurable targets and implementing action plans to achieve them.
4. Support and Resources: The standard requires organizations to provide the necessary resources, including competent workers, training, and infrastructure, to implement and maintain the OH&S management system effectively.
5. Operation: This involves implementing the planned controls and processes to manage OH&S risks. It includes operational planning and control, emergency preparedness and response, and contractor management.
6. Performance Evaluation: Organizations need to monitor, measure, and evaluate their OH&S performance against the planned objectives and targets. This involves conducting internal audits, management reviews, and taking corrective actions when necessary.
7. Improvement: ISO 45001 encourages continuous improvement by identifying opportunities for improvement and implementing corrective actions to prevent the recurrence of incidents and improve OH&S performance.

By implementing ISO 45001:2018, organizations can benefit in several ways:

• Reduced Workplace Incidents: By identifying hazards and implementing controls, organizations can reduce the risk of work-related injuries and illnesses.
• Legal Compliance: It helps organizations comply with OH&S laws and regulations, reducing the risk of penalties and legal action.
• Improved Reputation: Demonstrating a commitment to employee health and safety can enhance an organization’s reputation among stakeholders, including customers, suppliers, and the community.
• Cost Savings: Effective OH&S management can lead to reduced absenteeism, lower insurance premiums, and increased productivity, resulting in cost savings for the organization.

Overall, ISO 45001:2018 provides a framework for organizations to establish, implement, maintain, and continually improve an OH&S management system, thereby ensuring a safe and healthy workplace for all workers.

ISO 45001 is an ISO standard for management systems of occupational health and safety (OH&S), published in March 2018. The goal of ISO 45001 is the reduction of occupational injuries and diseases.[1]

The standard is based on OHSAS 18001, conventions and guidelines of the International Labour Organization, including ILO OSH 2001, and national standards.[2][1] It includes elements that are additional to BS OHSAS 18001 (see below: ISO 45001 changes compared to OHSAS 18001:2007), which it is replacing over a three-year migration period from 2018 to 2021.