I know implementing international standards such as ISO 45001 might be intimidating, especially if you’re a beginner (like I used to be!) and don’t know much about health and safety management practices. In this guide, I’m going to help you understand every step of its implementation. By the end of this guide, you should be able to demonstrate what ISO 45001 is, why it’s important, step by step implementation process, common mistakes to avoid, certification process and some common questions I get asked. I have also included a free ISO 45001 PDF downloadable guide to help you take the knowledge.
Having worked as an ISO 45001 auditor in Melbourne Australia, I get a lot of questions from many companies about how to implement ISO 45001 Occupational Health and Safety Management System (OHSMS) standard.
Whether you manage a small family run business or a large construction group, ISO 45001 OHSMS aims to enhance workplace safety and prevent accidents.
ISO 45001 also helps companies maintain legal and contractual compliance.
Over the past ten years, more than 1,850 people have lost their lives due to serious workplace related injuries in Australia. That’s a big number and shows how important it is to have a reliable health and safety management system in place.
Now, let’s start this comprehensive guide that will assist you in implementing ISO 45001, complete with real-life examples and simple-to-follow steps. I’ll break it down so you can understand every part of it.
ISO 45001 is a global standard for Occupational Health and Safety Management Systems. The International Organization for Standardization (ISO) introduced this standard in 2018 to replace the previous version 18001:2007 OHSAS.
The new standard is based on risk-based approach and caters wider supply chain related OHS risks. For example, if you have a contractor, therefore the standard now requires you to manage OHS related risks as well as competencies. Similarly, if you’re purchasing a large equipment, OHS must be considered to identify any potential risks.
Overall, it’s an excellent management system that helps companies not only meet legal requirements but also keeps workers safe and prevents accidents and injuries at work.
For example, if you run a factory in California, following ISO 45001 standards will help you stay in compliance with OSHA rules and keep your business safer.
Think of it as a roadmap for a safer work environment. For example, in a construction company in Los Angeles, ISO 45001 could help reduce worker accidents by 40% within one year.
It’s not just about preventing fines but improving your overall safety performance, which can lead to increased productivity and employee morale.
The benefits of ISO 45001 go beyond compliance; it creates a culture of safety that protects both your employees and your business in the long run.
Implementing ISO 45001 requires following some clear steps. Here’s how you can get started:
Having support from upper management is an absolute must. As a lead auditor, I’ve seen companies fail to implement ISO 45001 because the top leaders weren’t taking part.
If the CEO of a small tech firm takes the lead in promoting safety, it becomes a priority across the organization. Management should be involved, set goals for safety, and make sure there are enough resources to support the implementation.
Another big step in building your OH&S Management System is to figure out what the risks are in your workplace. Like, an Australian company that processes food found many places where people could slip and fall on its production line.
By using ISO 45001’s risk-based approach, they were able to reduce injuries by 30%. Do a risk assessment first and make a list of all the possible risks along with their level of severity.
Establishing goals for health and safety comes next, after the risk have been identified. These should be measurable and aligned with your organization’s goals. Having these objectives in mind will help you concentrate on what matters most to the company.
ISO 45001 follows the Plan-Do-Check-Act (PDCA) cycle. After setting your objectives, create a detailed plan on how to achieve them. Following should be in this plan:
Now that you have a plan, it’s time to put it into action. Train your employees and ensure they are aware of the risks and safety measures. A Melbourne construction site I visited had signs and short movies to teach workers how to detect hazards.
It’s important to communicate clearly and to keep everyone up to date, use simple wording and send out regular reports.
Keeping an eye on your work is important if you want to meet your OH&S goals. Conduct regular audits and inspections.
Use data to track incidents, near-misses, and any improvements. This is where you decide if your plan is working or if it needs to be changed.
ISO 45001 is not a “one and done” standard. It’s built on continuous improvement. So, you should always be looking for ways to improve your safety performance and look at it often.
As an example, a pharmaceutical business lowered the risks of chemical exposure by installing better ventilation systems. Each year, this helped them get a higher safety score.
When implementing ISO 45001, I often see organizations make some avoidable mistakes:
Once you have your OH&S management system in place, the next step is certification. You’ll need to hire the best accredited certification body to perform an audit. They will:
After receiving your certification, it’s crucial to verify it to ensure it’s valid. This is simple to do online. We even have a helpful guide on “How to Verify (Check) Your ISO Certificate Online” that will walk you through the process step by step, so you can be sure that your certification is legitimate.
ISO 45001 is a safety standard that helps businesses create safer workplaces and prevent accidents.
It depends on the size of your organization. On average, it can take 6 to 12 months.
You don’t need one but having a consultant or trained internal auditor can make the process smoother.
No, but many industries, like construction and manufacturing, strongly benefit from it.
Continual improvement is key. You should review and update your system regularly, especially after incidents or regulatory changes.
I understand that implementing the ISO 45001 standard is never easy, but believe me, it’s well worth it. It is not simply a case of ticking boxes; it is about making workplaces far better and healthier.
Start by getting leadership on board, identifying risks, and setting some clear safety goals. The good things will start to happen soon. And if you need any help along the way, finding an ISO 45001 consultant or visiting CertBetter for guidance can make the process much smoother.
🎯 ISO Certification Auditor – QHSE Professional
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