ISO 45001

About the Standard

ISO 45001:2018 has taken the requirements of BS OHSAS 18001:2007 and added new insights. All of this is based on the prescribed structure of management system standards. The very introduction of the standard emphasises the importance of management commitment and support in developing, managing and promoting a safety culture that will support the operation of an occupational health and safety management system.

Communication, consultation and cooperation have a special place in the standard. Among other things, the organisation is expected to integrate the Occupational Health and Safety management system into business processes.

ISO 45001 starts by defining terms in a meaningful way, and then goes on to include requirements for context (the context of the organisation) and leadership, where a significant part of the requirements are aimed at engaging with employees. This is followed by sections on planning and scheduling and operations. The operational requirements include, among other things, those relating to procurement and contracting, and the management of functions and processes that are outsourced. The standard logically concludes with an evaluation of performance and improvement and a series of appendices with guidance on the application of the standard.