The Health & Safety Event Live: Preparing for ISO 45001

The head of audit and technical lead at the British Safety Council explained on 10th April that the new international standard, which was published in March 2018, has been designed to improve occupational health & safety management around the world. 

It is also intended for use by any organisation, regardless of its size or the nature of its work. 

According to Rob, the standard represents a step change in approach, and he went as far to say that "ISO 45001 is the most important health and safety management tool ever developed so far".

Delegates were then provided with an understanding of the key requirements. Rob said that Annex SL provides a framework of the requirements which are comprised of ten clauses (and 43 sub-clauses):

1) Scope

2) Normative references

3) Terms and conditions

4) Context of organisation

5) Leadership and worker participation

6) Planning for the management system

7) Support

8) Operation

9) Performance evaluation

10) Improvement

According to Rob, the Annex provides useful guidance on intention rather than implementation. BS 45002: UK guidance on implementation of ISO 45001 was recommended by Rob as an interesting document to have that provides implementation details around the standard. 

Rob then proceeded to go through what each clause specifically entails, but emphasised that Clauses 4 to 10 form the basis of the new standard.

Clause 4 'context of the organisation', for instance, requires an organisation to determine the internal and external issues "relevant to its purpose" and which may influence the effectiveness of the safety management system (SMS). It includes external cultural, social, political, legal, regulatory, technological, economic factors.

Rob then proceeded to highlight the differences between the old standard OHSAS 18001 and the new ISO 45001.

"In ISO 45001 there is an explicit emphasis on 'leadership and commitment' which will need to be demonstrable among top management especially. There is also a focus on how health and safety systems are incorporated into the overall organisational planning."

Rob also emphasised the importance in ISO 45001 on worker participation in the development of an occupational health and safety management system (OHSMS). The new standard includes the prevention of ill health (including mental ill health) and immediate and long term causes of injury / ill health. ISO 45001 also promotes an integrated management approach by closer alignment to environmental and quality standards.

Rob concluded with some words of advice on how to approach the transition to the new standard in a business.

"Leadership and commitment from senior management is absolutely key to the successful implementation of ISO 45001. If you have a problem here you might need to spend some more time on this first.

"When you are ready to go forward, put a plan together if you haven't already - don't jump in with both feet unless you're really confident."

Those certified to OHSAS18001 have a limited time to transition if they want to maintain certification to the new standard.

More free educational seminars will be taking place at The Health & Safety Event on Wednesday 11th and Thursday 12th April. 

To find out more please visit: www.healthandsafetyevents.co.uk