What is it?

ISO 45001:2018 is an international standard that specifies requirements for an Occupational Health and Safety Management System (OH&S). The ISO 45001:2018 system replaces the widely used OHSAS 18001 standard, which was valid until March 12, 2021. Organizations wishing to maintain certification related to occupational health and safety were required to adapt their existing documentation to the requirements of the new ISO 45001:2018 standard.

The ISO 45001:2018 system provides guidelines for a comprehensive and modern approach to occupational health and safety. Its primary objective is to help organizations ensure a safe working environment. The standard emphasizes the safety of both employees and other individuals associated with the organization. To meet ISO 45001:2018 requirements, an organization should identify and analyze factors that may negatively affect human health. It should also define how to mitigate these risks and continuously monitor OH&S-related activities. Implementing ISO 45001:2018 reduces the risk of harm to both the physical and mental health of employees and third parties.

Undoubtedly, having an OH&S management system certificate improves a company’s image and demonstrates how important employee health and safety are to the organization.

Structure

The structure of the ISO 45001:2018 standard is aligned with the requirements of the Annex SL document. The system is compatible with other management systems, such as ISO 14001:2015, which makes integration more efficient.

The ISO 45001:2018 standard is divided into 10 main sections. The first three describe the standard, while sections 4 to 10 contain OH&S management requirements. The structure is as follows:

1. Scope

2. Normative references

3. Terms and definitions

4. Context of the organization

• understanding the organization and its context
• needs and expectations of interested parties
• scope of the OH&S management system
• OH&S management system

5. Leadership and worker participation

• leadership and commitment
• OH&S policy
• roles, responsibilities, and authorities
• consultation and participation of workers

6. Planning

• actions to address risks and opportunities
• OH&S objectives and planning to achieve them

7. Support

• resources
• competence
• awareness
• communication
• documented information

8. Operation

• operational planning and control
• emergency preparedness and response

9. Performance evaluation

• monitoring, measurement, analysis, and evaluation
• internal audit
• management review

10. Improvement

• general
• incidents, nonconformities, and corrective actions
• continual improvement

Who is it for?

Occupational Health and Safety (OH&S) management is intended for any organization, regardless of its size or industry.

Benefits

• Increased trust in the organization
• Enhanced company image
• Improved employee health and safety measures
• Prevention of workplace accidents
• Effective management of occupational health and safety risks