Ian Richardson

A Buddhist saying states: if you are facing in the right direction all you have to do is keep on walking.

During the development of ISO 45001, the forthcoming ‘Occupational health and safety management systems’ standard, around 60 countries have been participating. It has sometimes seemed doubtful that everyone would agree exactly what the right direction was, but the participants have kept moving forward and the latest draft of this much anticipated standard is now available for everyone to read.

Despite some ‘political’ differences, one thing binds this project together: everyone involved is passionate about saving lives and making workplaces safer and healthier for all of us. The fact that the first draft sent out for public consultation received majority approval but did not go forward to publication shows that the concerns of the minority are respected. Over the past 10 months some critical issues have been thoroughly explored and solutions found that the majority can support. It is unlikely that anyone will declare the new draft perfect – these things rarely are – but it is another leap forward and testament to international negotiation and consensus-building.

The journey is not quite over of course…

The commenting phase will open in May and across the world users are being invited to read the latest draft and give their view. Regardless of whether the ballot passes or fails, the next meeting will be held in September to discuss these comments and resolve any remaining issues. At this stage, however, we are probably talking fine detail rather than radical overhaul. Those of you who read the 2016 draft may not see quite as much change in the 2017 version as you expect.

Nevertheless, BSI wants to hear from you. The full draft has been made available early in the UK to allow users as much time as possible to thoroughly examine it. The UK committee will also be holding a public meeting in Swansea this June, to give people the chance to talk directly to those who are in the thick of it and who will be taking the UK’s final comments back to ISO.

So let’s keep walking together and make sure that ISO 45001 achieves its goal of helping to save lives across the world.

Access the latest draft via our website: http://shop.bsigroup.com

Ian Richardson, board director, BSIF & standards publishing manager, BSI