ISO 45001iso 45001

Understanding the new international standard for Occupational Health & Safety

Organisations worldwide recognise the need to provide a safe and healthy working environment, reduce the likelihood of accidents and demonstrate they are actively managing risks. ISO 45001, the new international standard for occupational health and safety will provide an internationally accepted framework that will help protect employees as well as protecting the longevity and health of an organisation.

This week I thought that I, aided by our new team member Peter Bushnell, would talk about this new International Standard.

This week’s 2 recent HSE cases look at:

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ISO 45001

Understanding the new international standard for Occupational Health & Safety

What Is Iso 45001?

ISO 45001:2018 is the replacement to the popular OHSAS 18001 standard and is the international ISO standard for Occupational Health and Safety Management Systems (OHSMS). Not only has the standard superseded OHSAS 18001, it makes integration with other management systems simpler than ever before; because it is directly aligned with the 2015 versions of ISO 9001 and ISO 14001.

WHO IS IT FOR?

ISO 45001 is aimed at almost any organisation, of every size, in any sector. It is intended for those organisations who wish to implement a framework for their occupational health and safety systems and who may also require external certification to a recognised standard. Whether you’re looking to introduce a health and safety management system for the first time or improve an existing one, ISO 45001 can help you to achieve your goals.

WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS OF ISO 45001?

The new standard will help organisations improve their Safety and Health, by developing and implementing OSH policies and objectives and establishing systematic processes. It will create a positive health and safety culture with demonstrable top management leadership and employee involvement.

WE HAVE OHSAS 18001, WHAT WILL WE NEED TO DO?

If you have certification to OHSAS 18001 you will need to migrate to ISO 45001 to maintain the validity of certification.
It is expected that OHSAS will be phased out by 12th March 2021 and therefore there is a 3 year migration period. So there is still time to plan your move over to ISO 45001.

WHY CHOOSE US TO ASSIST?

The Wilkins Safety Group have been assisting organisations both large and small to implement health and safety management systems, such as the current Health & Safety Executive’s HSG65.

Our expert team of qualified Health and Safety Consultants have the experience to assist you, understand and implement, the requirements of the new ISO 45001 standard.

As we reported last time, our latest team member, Peter Bushnell, has completed the ISO 45001:2018 OH&S Management Systems Auditor/Lead Auditor Training Course.  Indeed, we believe he is one of the first to complete this course in the UK.

With Peter we can now assist companies to achieve an ISO 45001 accreditation.  When put into logical steps, making sure each step is understood before moving on, the whole process can be easier to follow and therefore understand. This enables the company to more smoothly achieve their ISO 45001 accreditation. If you are already working towards accreditation but just require an external auditor, Peter can oblige.

Below is an article Peter has written about this and then there is a short film produced by SHP Safety & Health Practitioner

ISO 45001 the Interesting bits “abridged” – by Peter M Bushnell Dip NEBOSH Grad IOSH 

ISO 45001:2018 is an Occupational Health and Safety Management System (OHSMS) which is going to supersede ISO 18001 in the next 2-3 years

  • ISO 45001 is an international standard that is globally agreed/recognised as the same as 14001 & 9001, which use the same file system.
  • ISO 45001 can be used for any size organisation, as the standard is just a frame work, that any organisation/business can use to create their OHSMS.
  • The ISO 45001 has a holistic approach that incorporates all peoples within the scope of the business from “top to bottom, bottom to top”. The business shall show/prove there is a positive, collaborative culture, that promotes a strong safety presence within the work place.
  • The Business shall as a part of its ongoing strategy, continue to reduce the risk of harm to “all” peoples within the scope of the organisation/business.

The basic requirement of ISO 45001 is that the “organisation/business provide a safe & healthy place for all to work.

The way this is done is to prevent work-related injury and/or ill health. To have less injury’s/ill health there needs to be senior management involvement so there is understanding of the issues with workers involvement. A: Top down, bottom up system.

Any organisation/business can implement ISO 45001:

This will if followed, provide a system of management that will eliminate hazards and minimize OH&S risks, understand the deficiencies within the system and take advantage of opportunities, also addressing non-conformities associated with all its activities.

ISO 45001 is there to help the organisation/business to attain the intended outcomes from its OH&S management system, which should be fewer Injury’s & ill health over the coming years, decades. This vision should be the collective vision of all the people at the organisation without exception, Top-Down/Bottom-up.

Is ISO 45001 hard to incorporate in my work place?

  • All things in life that are worth having, can be challenging. However, when put into logical steps, making sure each step is understood before moving on, the whole process can be easier to follow and therefore understand. This enables the company to more smoothly achieve their ISO 45001 accreditation. Senior Management must be present at the work place exercises. ISO 45001 needs full management input and if audited senior managements “shall” be required on the first day of any audit. As for your systems in place, you probably already have most of the paperwork, it may need some organisation, but that will come with the understanding.

Please watch the this short film produced by SHP Safety & Health Practitioner

safety & health practitioner

https://youtu.be/b5G4BwEHpT0

Is there any subject you would like covered in this newsletter? Please contact us by phone 01458 253682, or email

 

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These are also taking a break over July and August although we are always available for “In House” courses