Key Requirements of ISO 45001:2018

ISO 45001:2018 is an international standard for occupational health and safety management systems (OH&S). It provides a framework for organizations to improve employee safety, reduce workplace risks, and create better, safer working conditions. Understanding the key requirements of ISO 45001:2018 is essential for effective implementation. This description explores the main clauses of the standard and their implications for organizations.

Clause 1: Scope

The first clause outlines the scope of the standard, specifying that ISO 45001 applies to any organization, regardless of size, type, or nature. It emphasizes the creation of safe and healthy workplaces by preventing work-related injury and ill health, and by proactively improving OH&S performance.

Clause 2: Normative References

This clause identifies the normative references, which are documents that provide additional guidance and context to ISO 45001. These references are essential for understanding and implementing the requirements of the standard.

Clause 3: Terms and Definitions

Clause 3 provides a list of terms and definitions used in the standard. Understanding these terms is crucial for correctly interpreting and applying the requirements of ISO 45001. Key terms include “worker,” “workplace,” “hazard,” “risk,” and “opportunity.”

Clause 4: Context of the Organization

This clause requires organizations to understand the internal and external issues that can impact their OH&S management system. It involves:

1. Understanding the Organization and Its Context: Identifying external and internal factors relevant to the organization’s purpose and strategic direction that affect its ability to achieve the intended outcomes of its OH&S management system.

2. Understanding the Needs and Expectations of Workers and Other Interested Parties: Recognizing the requirements and expectations of workers, contractors, visitors, and regulatory bodies.

3. Determining the Scope of the OH&S Management System: Defining the boundaries and applicability of the OH&S management system based on the organization’s context and stakeholder expectations.

4. OH&S Management System and its Processes: Establishing, implementing, maintaining, and continually improving the OH&S management system, including the processes needed and their interactions.

Clause 5: Leadership and Worker Participation

Clause 5 emphasizes the critical role of leadership and worker participation in the OH&S management system:

1. Leadership and Commitment: Top management must demonstrate leadership and commitment to the OH&S management system by ensuring integration with business processes and promoting a culture that supports safety.

2. OH&S Policy: Establishing an OH&S policy that provides a framework for setting OH&S objectives and demonstrates a commitment to continuous improvement.

3. Organizational Roles, Responsibilities, and Authorities: Assigning and communicating roles, responsibilities, and authorities to ensure effective OH&S management.

4. Consultation and Participation of Workers: Ensuring workers are consulted and have opportunities to participate in decision-making processes that impact their health and safety.

Clause 6: Planning

This clause focuses on planning for the OH&S management system:

1. Actions to Address Risks and Opportunities: Identifying and assessing risks and opportunities related to OH&S, and planning actions to mitigate risks and exploit opportunities.

2. OH&S Objectives and Planning to Achieve Them: Establishing OH&S objectives at relevant functions and levels, and planning actions to achieve these objectives, including determining resources, responsibilities, and timelines.

3. Planning of Changes: Managing planned changes to the OH&S management system to ensure they do not adversely affect OH&S performance.

Clause 7: Support

Clause 7 addresses the resources needed to implement and maintain the OH&S management system:

1. Resources: Providing the necessary resources, including human, financial, and technological, to support the OH&S management system.

2. Competence: Ensuring workers are competent based on education, training, and experience to perform their roles effectively.

3. Awareness: Making workers aware of the OH&S policy, their contribution to the OH&S management system, and the implications of not conforming to OH&S requirements.

4. Communication: Establishing processes for internal and external communication relevant to the OH&S management system, including what, when, with whom, and how to communicate.

5. Documented Information: Creating and maintaining documented information required by the OH&S management system, and ensuring it is controlled, accessible, and protected.

Clause 8: Operation

Clause 8 focuses on the operational aspects of the OH&S management system:

1. Operational Planning and Control: Establishing processes to implement actions identified in planning and ensuring these processes are controlled to maintain OH&S performance.

2. Emergency Preparedness and Response: Developing and implementing processes for emergency preparedness and response, including testing and reviewing these processes regularly.

Clause 9: Performance Evaluation

This clause outlines the requirements for monitoring, measuring, analyzing, and evaluating OH&S performance:

1. Monitoring, Measurement, Analysis, and Performance Evaluation: Determining what needs to be monitored and measured, establishing methods for monitoring and measurement, and analyzing and evaluating OH&S performance.

2. Internal Audit: Conducting internal audits at planned intervals to ensure the OH&S management system conforms to the organization’s requirements and the ISO 45001 standard.

3. Management Review: Top management must review the OH&S management system at planned intervals to ensure its continuing suitability, adequacy, and effectiveness.

Clause 10: Improvement

The final clause emphasizes the need for continuous improvement of the OH&S management system:

1. General: Continually improving the suitability, adequacy, and effectiveness of the OH&S management system.

2. Incident, Nonconformity, and Corrective Action: Establishing processes to handle incidents and nonconformities, and taking corrective actions to prevent their recurrence.

3. Continual Improvement: Promoting a culture of continual improvement by regularly reviewing and updating the OH&S management system.

Conclusion

ISO 45001:2018 provides a comprehensive framework for organizations to manage occupational health and safety risks effectively. By adhering to its key requirements, organizations can create safer workplaces, enhance compliance with legal requirements, and improve overall OH&S performance. The standard’s emphasis on leadership, worker participation, and continuous improvement ensures that OH&S management becomes an integral part of the organization’s culture and operational processes.