ISO 45001 Objective And Benefits

The primary purpose of ISO 45001 is to serve as a standard for Company Management Systems and Occupational Health and Safety.

• Assessment and control risks that a company might encounter. At the same time, it also governs possible opportunities.
• It contributes practical solutions for continuous improvement of employees’ health and safety.

What it Means to You as an Employee

As an employee working for an organization with ISO 45001 certification, it means security and proper recognition.

With safety management, you know that you are working in an environment that prioritises its staff. With this in mind, your productivity improves, and the possibility of work injuries becomes minimal.

What it Means to You as a Leader

Implementing ISO 45001 is a step ahead to making your business a great success.

• Leadership Augmentation: showing that you are personally involved gives your staff more confidence and trust in the management. It creates a better working environment, and eventually, it boosts your position as a good leader in the industry.
  

• Encourages Accountability as Well as the Involvement of the Whole Management: it does not only affect you as a leader or your staff but the organizational structure as a whole. This standard does not work with just an individual but as a team.
  

• Risk Prevention and Opportunity Identification: Everyone has a role in implementing the standards and maintaining them. However, those on top of the hierarchy are held accountable for staff injuries. Identifying hazard causes and immediate resolution is your priority as a lead.

Aside from protecting your company and staff, this standard also covers your guests or customers.

OHSAS 18001 vs. ISO 45001

One additional highlight of this certification is its improved Safety Management measure, which is more beneficial for staff and management.

OHSAS 18001 standard only accords with visible risks. For example, an employee slipped or fell down the stairs. By implementing this standard, the company may check the specific staircase flooring if it is slippery and have it changed.

In contrast, using the same scenario, ISO 45001 standard will require the management to assess all the stairs and possibly, include the whole floor plan of the building. Therefore, even before any accidents may happen, the administration will already take immediate action for prevention.

While OHSAS 18001 takes action on known risks, ISO 45001 takes action to prevent the possibility of any risks before it happens.

How to Get Certified

Certifications are not provided by ISO but through an accredited third party. Therefore, an advisable option is to go through a hired consultant. This way, you will have a trusted advisor who will guide you through the process of certification and implementation.

Here are the phases of certification that you may encounter:

• ISO 45001 management system development and implementation
• Schedule an inspection with the accredited third party.
• An auditor will proceed with reviewing your operation to see if you pass the compliance requirement.
• Fixing identified issues in compliance, if any
• Finally, receive your certificate once your organisation passes all requirements.

Is This Certificate Mandatory?

No. However, it is necessary to consider if you are a leader who wants to aim for a safe and healthy work environment for you, your staff and your visitors. Happy and risk-free employees mean good business or corporation. So, what is a minor hassle in the certification process compared to this?