ISO 45001:2018 OH&S management system

The world’s much anticipated ISO 45001 International Standard for occupational health and safety (OH&S) has now been published and is set to transform workplace practices globally.

ISO 45001:2018, OH&S management system provides a robust and effective set of processes for improving work safety in global supply chains. Designed to help organisations of all sizes and industries, the new International Standard is expected to reduce workplace injuries and illnesses around the world.

According to 2017 calculations by the International Labour Organisation (ILO), 2.78 million fatal accidents occur at work yearly. This means that, every day, almost 7 700 persons die of work-related diseases or injuries. Additionally, there are some 374 million non-fatal work-related injuries and illnesses each year, many of these resulting in extended absences from work. This paints’ a sober picture of the modern workplace – one where workers can suffer serious consequences as a result of simply “doing their job”.

ISO 45001 hopes to change that. It provides governmental agencies, industry and other affected stakeholders with effective, usable guidance for improving worker safety in countries around the world. By means of an easy-to-use framework, it can be applied to both captive and partner factories and production facilities, regardless of their location.

ISO 45001 is based on common elements found in all other ISO management systems, therefore, business already utilising such management systems will be well placed should they decide to implement the new ISO 45001.

Should your organisation already be certified to OHSAS 18001, you will have three years to comply with the new ISO 45001 standard, although certification of conformity to ISO 45001 is not a requirement of the standard.

ISO 45001:2018 can be purchase from your national ISO member or through the ISO store.