ISO 45001 - Occupational Health and Safety
ISO 45001 is a certification specification for Occupational Health and Safety Management Systems. It is based on BS 8800 and the Management Regulations 1992. ISO 45001 is an audit/certification specification, not a legislative requirement or a guide to implementation.
ISO 45001 is one of the standards in the OHSAS 18000 family.
Why seek certification to ISO 45001?
Registration to ISO 45001 by an independent, third party, certification body demonstrates a commitment to implement, maintain and improve the way in which you manage your Health and Safety system.
Organisations registered to ISO 45001 can be more confident about meeting the requirements of Health and Safety legislation. The setting of targets through the Health and Safety policy, together with the ongoing measurement against it ensures a process of continual improvement.
How do you start to implement ISO 45001? What is involved?
Firstly, evaluate the Health and Safety needs of your staff and visitors.
Then identify the boundaries of your Health and Safety system and document your procedures for meeting the requirements of ISO 45001. Ensure these procedures are fully implemented, then audit and review them.
Once developed, internal audits are needed to ensure the system continues to be effective. Always bear in mind the need to conform to legislative requirements.
Initial Certification Audit (Assessment) to ISO 45001
Once all the requirements of ISO 45001 have been met, it is time for an external audit. This should be carried out by a third party certification body, as Vericert Company. It will review your documentation to ascertain that it meets all the requirements of ISO 45001. This is followed at a later date by an audit to check that records are being kept and documented working practices are being followed.
After a successful audit, a certificate of registration to ISO 45001 will be issued. There will then be continual surveillance visits (usually once a year) to ensure that the system is maintained and continues to be effective.
ISO 45001, ISO 9001 and ISO 14001 Management Systems (Integrated Management System)
There are several common elements between these three systems, such as management review, document control, corrective action and the requirement for trained personnel. These can be integrated into a single, integrated system or a combination of any of the above. Audit of integrated system is available and may be the best method for some companies.
Integrated systems not only help an organisation internally, by reducing duplication and providing a centralised document control system, but may also offer cost benefits for your third-party audit.
Where to obtain further information or help
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