How Does The Introduction Of ISO 45001:2018 Affect Us?

Many of our customers have raised the above question.

We get it – compliance isn’t easy and you need to focus on what earns you money. So in keeping with our theme of keeping it simple – into todays post, we provide a summary.

ISO communicated that in developing ISO 45001 it would draw on existing OH&S management system Standards (particularly OHSAS 18001).

As a result, ISO 45001:

• Has a very similar intent (continual improvement of OH&S performance; fulfillment of legal requirements).

• Maintains the Plan-Do-Check-Act model.

• Maintains a focus on: OH&S Policy; OH&S Planning; Identify Hazards, Risks, Controls; Identify Legal Requirements; Improvement; Resources, Awareness, Consultation,

• Competency; Monitoring and Review etc).

• Introduces a few new Clauses (where there is no stand-alone equivalent clause in AS/NZS 4801 or OHSAS 18001).

• Makes minor modification to other clauses.

ISO's approach means you can modify your existing OH&S management system, rather than start again, to address ISO 45001.

New Clauses Include:

• Understanding the Organisation and its Context (4.1)

• Understanding the Needs and Expectations of Workers and other Interested Parties (4.2)

• Assessment of Risks and Other Risks to the OHS Management System (6.1.2.2)

• Assessment of OHS Opportunities (6.1.2.3)

• Planning Action (6.1.4)

• Evaluation of Compliance (9.1.2) (compared to AS/NZS 4801)

• Contractors (8.1.4.2) and Outsourcing (8.1.4.3).

Consultation and Participation of Workers (ISO 45001 Clause 5.4) is also emphasized in ISO 45001 with the Clause going beyond requirements of the other Standards. Inclusion of Clause 5.4 in the Leadership Section of the ISO 45001 reflects this enhanced emphasis.

What If we are already Certified to OHSAS 18001:2007?

• British Standards has withdrawn OHSAS 18001:2007 (April 2018).

• There is a three-year transition period meaning all organisations certified to OHS 18001:2007 must migrate to the ISO 45001 by the April 2021.

What if we are already Certified to AS/NZS 4801:2001?

• Standards Australia has announced that it has “commenced the process” of adopting ISO 45001 in Australia (www.standards.org.au/news/process-for-the-adoption-of-iso-45001-commences-in-australia).

• Standards Australia is yet to announce whether it will withdraw AS/NZS 4801.

• If this occurs, there will be a migration period (generally 3 years), to allow organisation certified to migrate to the new Standard.

How can we migrate to the ISO 45001?

1. Understand the changes and new focus areas

2. Educate of your top management team (re: enhanced leadership requirements) and other personnel affected by the changes.

3. Conduct a gap analysis against the requirements of ISO 45001 to identify what you have in place to meet the new or modified requirements and additional work required to address any gaps (refer below).

4. When ready, contact your Certification body and book a Stage 1 Audit.

Next Steps:

We like to keep compliance simple, so we have provided some free resources to get you started, including:

• A clause by clause comparison of ISO 45001 to AS/4801 and OHSAS 18001.

• A summary of all Documented Information required by ISO 45001.

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Our team can provide expert advice to support your migration to the ISO 45001.