A number of the requirements of the new standard are similar to those within OHSAS 18001, so organisations already certified to OHSAS 18001 should find switching to the new standard fairly straight forward.

The new standard offers a slightly different definition of the terms ‘Risk’, ’Worker’ and ‘Workplace’, as well as introducing new concepts, for example:

Context of the organisation – This will identify the external and internal factors affecting the organisation in order to prepare the foundation for the effective management of risk.

Leadership – This will require that top management takes full ownership of, and responsibility for, OHS management and that effective controls are put in place.

Management of change – This will ensure that the organisation effectively plans and manages changes to the OH&S management system in order to avoid any deterioration in performance.

According to the World Congress on Safety and Health at Work, there are 860 000 occupational accidents every day and the direct or indirect cost of occupational illness and accidents at work is estimated to be approximately GBP 1.8 Trillion, worldwide. By introducing the new international standard for OHS Management it is believed that this could help to save more lives, reduce accidents further and improve employee morale around the world.

• Improved risk and hazard management by the identification of potential incidents and the implementation of controls and pro-active measures.
• Compliance with health and safety legislation by understanding how statutory and regulatory requirements impact the organization, its employees, interested parties and others.
• Improving an organizations ability to win more business, particularly where procurement specifications require certification as a condition to supply and PQQ requirements.
• Improved relationships by safeguarding the health and safety of staff, customers, suppliers and other stakeholders and interested parties
• Cost savings by decreasing down-time through incidents, ill health and reducing costs associated with legal fees and compensation
• Improving an organisation’s efficiency by reducing the risk of accidents and incidents leading to increased profitability.
• Minimising the risk of regulatory and liability fines and reducing the risk of non-compliance with legislation and subsequent costs/prosecution.
• Over the last decade customers are requiring organisations adopt stricter health and safety regulations and practices, making certification to ISO45001:2018 a greater necessity for the long-term viability of businesses and providing them with a competitive advantage and improved brand image.
  
  

An ISO45001:2018 Action Plan is available by clicking here

• Implementation and operation of a health and safety management system to ISO45001
• Health and safety policy statement, health and safety objectives and procedures a copy of the MS06 Health and safety Policy is available by clicking here]
• Identifying compliance with health and safety and other regulations
• Development of health and safety management programmes
• Health and safety aspects and impacts management
• Delivery to staff of employee ISO45001 and health and safety awareness training sessions an ISO45001:2018 Awareness Briefing is available by clicking here
• Undertake and manage health and safety internal audit programme, including audits, audit reports and support through to resolution of any issues arising.
• Liaison with the chosen certification body for certification to ISO45001
• Maintenance of the ISO45001 management system post certification.