Update on ISO standards

Right now, the ISO standard fixed in everyone’s mind is the pending publication of ISO 45001. At the time of writing this, the International Organisation for Standardisation (IOS) has confirmed that ISO 45001 is only expected to be published in December 2017.

Timeline of ISO 45001’s development

A disappointing delay – but the extra time will help

Because the standard is so highly anticipated, this additional wait may be frustrating, but it will allow health and safety managers extra time to use the existing OHSAS 18001 to certify.

As Matt Gantley, the Managing Director for NQA UK and EMEA says, “Once an organisation has achieved certification to OHSAS 18001 the migration to ISO 45001 will be easier than implementing ISO 45001 from scratch. NQA [can] support every NQA OHSAS 18001 client through the migration between OHSAS 18001 and ISO 45001 to ensure a smooth and painless transition journey.”

Let’s recap – how will ISO 45001 help organisations?

The burden of occupational injuries and diseases is significant, both for employers and the wider economy. ISO 45001 will help organisations reduce the burden of work-related accidents and diseases (resulting in losses from early retirements, staff absence and rising insurance premiums), by providing a framework to:

• improve employee safety
• reduce workplace risks
• create better, safer working conditions, all over the world.

The standard will follow other generic management system approaches, such as ISO 14001 and ISO 9001. It will take into account other international standards in this area such as OHSAS 18001.

How will ISO 45001 benefit your organisation?

• The standard will forge greater links between your HSE strategy and the organisation’s overall strategy.
• There will be greater integration into the core organisational processes.
• You will be more likely to consider your HSE performance in relation to the organisation’s strategic planning process.
• The common terms and definitions will make your work life easier.
• You will enjoy reduced bureaucracy.
• There will be better implementation, integration and maintenance of standards.
• It will be easier to demonstrate the benefits of having robust management systems in place.

Who is it for?

ISO 45001 can be used by any organisation, regardless of its size or the nature of its work, and can be integrated into other health and safety programmes, such as worker wellness and wellbeing. It also addresses many, if not all, legal requirements in this area.

Sources:

http://www.iso.org/iso/iso45001

https://www.nqa.com/en-gb/resources/news/iso-45001-publication-december-2017