Is ISO 45001 mandatory for my business?

ISO 45001 is an international standard that focuses on occupational health and safety. In order to combat the increasing burden of work-related accidents, injuries and diseases across the globe, the ISO developed the 45001 to ensure the safety of workers/employees.

The ISO 45001 provides a strategic framework to organisations to build an efficient Occupational Health and Safety Management (OHS) system. Additionally, the standard also provides a robust and effective set of processes for improving work safety in global supply chains. Moreover, the system fosters employee safety, reduces workplace risks and creates better, safer and happier working conditions, all over the world.

Although, there is no mandatory obligation to acquire the ISO 45001 certification, many organisations vie for the certification due to its benefits. In this article, we will talk about the benefits of acquiring IS0 45001, going on to emphasise on the implementational and organisational benefits. We provide ISO 45001 consulting services to help you implement and obtain this certificate.

Why is the ISO 45001 important?

According to the World health Organization, every year, more than 2.78 million die as a result of occupational incidence or work related diseases. Moreover, there are approximately 370 million non-fatal work-related injuries each year, which result in more than four days of absence from work, delays in projects and increased premium costs to the organisations. Therefore, it becomes essential for organisations to build a working environment that is hassle free, safe and engaging.

The ISO 45001 mitigate the factors that have the potential to cause businesses and its employees irreparable harm.

In addition to mitigating hazards, the ISO 45001 also helps in continually improving the OHS performance, allowing organisations to seamlessly achieve their objectives and fulfil their legal requirements.

Moreover, the flexible nature of ISO 45001 allows it to be implemented along with other ISO standards such as the ISO 9001 certification and ISO 14001. Another added benefit of its flexible nature and easy adaptability is that the ISO 45001 can be implemented to any organisation, irrespective of its industry, complexity, size or country.

What are the ISO 45001 requirements

Similar to many other ISO standards, the ISO 45001 also focuses on the establishment, documentation, implementation and maintenance of the results as per the Health and Safety Policy and documentation. Additionally, it also emphasises on continual improvement of the OHS management system through regular audits and management reviews. The ISO 45001 requirements  include the health and safety policy objectives, scope of the OHS management system, Hazard Identification and Risk Analysis (HIRA) records and documents for operational controls.

Steps of ISO 45001 implementation

The key steps for implementation include defining the scope and the boundaries of implementation, going on to conduct, in terms of activity, Hazard Identification and Risk Analysis in accordance with the recommendations of the HIRA. The additional steps for implementation include conducting risk management for high impact activities across the organisation, conducting employee awareness and training programmes and implementing operational control programmes.

All these steps have to be in alignment with the OHS objectives and targets. The occupational health and safety management program should adhere to the applicable legal, regulatory and statutory requirements. Lastly, an emergency preparedness program should be created so that the organisation is always prepared for potential adverse events. We provide ISO consulting services to help you implement ISO 45001 and obtain this certificate.

Benefits of ISO 45001 Certificate

When an organisation implements and OHS system to create a safe working environment, it gains a remarkable amount of financial benefits as a direct consequence of reduced accidents. There are certain benefits associated with implementing OHS within the organisation.

The implementation ensures that the safety personnel within your organisation have the competence to perform tasks that may impact the OHS within the workplace. Implementation also ensures that the new system measures are in place to control all identified risks.

Implementation also helps to define plans and procedures to identify the potential for emergency situations, helping organisations to respond appropriately. Additionally, it also helps to formalise the incident investigation process, to monitor and measure the OHS performance regularly, reduce insurance costs by demonstrating better risk management and enhance customer confidence.

Moreover, because of these implementation benefits, organisations can set measures for service providers, helping them to understand the internal and external issues related to the needs and expectations of the interested parties. A better understanding of these expectations and regulatory obligations help to maintain compliance status at all times.

Organisational benefits to implementing the ISO 45001

Similarly, there are many organisational benefits to implementing the ISO 45001 within your organisation. The standard acts as a framework for organisations to identify and control health and safety risks, reduce potential accidents, aid compliance and improve overall OHS performance. Furthermore, the implementation of the OHS management system helps organisations establish clear roles, responsibilities and authorities for personnel who manage, perform and verify activities that have a direct impact on OHS risks as well as the organisation’s activities, processes and facilities. As a result, it leads to a better public perception of your organisation, helping you gain a competitive advantage, leading to improve sales and opportunities.