What Is ISO 45001 and Why Your Business Needs It for Workplace Safety
The need for workplace safety goes beyond fulfilling a legal obligation, as it is an essential aspect that plays into the overall success and sustainability of any organization in today’s fast-paced business world. ISO 45001 is the international standard for Occupational Health and Safety Management Systems (OHSMS) that enables companies to proactively identify, manage, and reduce workplace risks.
What Is ISO 45001?
It is the first global standard to bring attention to employee safety, reduce workplace risks, and improve working conditions, and is ISO 45001 certified. This new standard replaces OHSAS 18001 and is aligned with other ISO management systems, including ISO 9001 (Quality Management) and ISO 14001 (Environmental Management), so that organizations can integrate it seamlessly into their existing systems.
The concept of risk analysis is to identify potential hazards, assess risk and take necessary preventive measures before an accident occurs.
Why ISO 45001 Matters for Your Business
1. Protects Your Employees
Your employees are your greatest strength. ISO 45001 enables health and safety hazards to be more systematically addressed, so workplace accidents are reduced, ensuring less lost time from workplace injuries, illnesses, and fatalities.
2. Improves Legal Compliance
This keeps businesses in compliance with local and international laws concerning health and safety, resulting in fines, penalties and reputational damage.
3. Enhances Workplace Culture
The organization design of ISO 45001 helps to launch a safety culture, focused on the individual, that makes employees happier and more productive.
4. Reduces Costs
By having fewer workplace incidents overall, companies have less downtime, lower insurance premiums and fewer compensation claims to pay out, so this is quite a significant saving over time.
5. Builds Trust and Reputation
It can also function as a demonstration of your dedication to being safe and responsible, which can increase faith in clients, partners, and stakeholders.
How to Get Started with ISO 45001
Achieving ISO 45001 certification involves:
Gap Analysis: The various methods to evaluate your current health & safety practices against ISO 45001 requirements.
Preparation & Execution: Development of safety practices of policy, processes or controls.
Training & Awareness: Ensuring Employee Training & Safety empowered practices.
Audits and Certification: Being internally audited through independent third-party certification.
While there are many options available, Health and Safety Advisors will work with you through the entire process, from assessment to complete certification, to ensure that this is put into place quickly and effectively for both your people and your business!
Bottom Line: ISO 45001 is more than compliance: root for a safer, healthier and more productive working environment. When you invest in it, you’re investing in your people and the overall health of your business over the long term.