Overview of ISO 45001:2018

ISO 45001:2018 is the international standard that provides a framework for establishing an Occupational Health and Safety Management System (OHSMS).

It provides a structured approach that assists an organization of any size, type, or nature to evaluate and enhance their health and safety management leading to improvements in safety performance.

The standard employs the Plan > Do > Check > Act (PDCA) cycle to ensure delivery of improvement and includes ten sections; with requirements to be fulfilled described in in sections 4-10.

Jump to section

Section 04: Context of the organisation

Organizations must understand their context, including external and internal factors impacting their Occupational Health & Safety Management System (OHSMS). Organizations should:

Identify occupational safety conditions affecting the organization.
Determine needs and expectations of stakeholders and regulators.
Define the OH&SMS scope, industry processes, and services ensuring alignment with strategic direction specifying any limitations or exclusions.

Simply, what the organisation needs to do is have an appreciation of the wider world within which it operates – what outside the business might influence safety and what internal issues need to be considered when establishing the management system.

Section 5: Leadership

Top management commitment to safety must be demonstrated; without it the organisation will always have difficulties in the application of key safety controls and requirements. Top management must establish and communicate the H&S policy. Their commitment is demonstrated by attending safety meetings, allocating resources, and promoting consistent practices, such as organising safety campaigns.

An effective H&S policy must be implemented and maintained to reflect the organisation’s mission and values. This includes a commitment to meeting legal and other requirements, as well as providing a framework for setting OH&S objectives. For instance, a manufacturing company could improve workplace safety by reducing accident rates, implementing rigorous safety training programs, ensuring all equipment meets safety standards, committing to regular safety audits, and risk assessments.

Top management must define and communicate roles, responsibilities, and authorities but will stay accountable for the safety management system. This includes appointing relevant competent responsible personnel such as safety manager/advisor, designating employees to manage safety procedures such as conducting risk assessments and safety reporting and fire warden duties. Each role should have specific duties and decision-making authority related to safety management.

Section 6: Planning

The organisation must establish processes to identify risks and opportunities by considering context, scope, and internal and external factors. Regular assessments and audits should be performed to detect hazards. Health and safety studies can reveal how business operations affect employees and customers. The organisation should engage with stakeholders for insights and feedback. Keeping track of regulatory changes and industry standards is essential for compliance and the well-being of all involved.

Section 7: Support

Top management must allocate resources, assign competent personnel, and supply necessary equipment and technology for the health and safety program.

Regular assessments will ensure effective resource use and identify areas needing support. The organisation must verify all personnel’s competence, including sub-contractors, and keep their skills updated. Evaluate training needs, establish procedures to up-skill staff, and monitor skills via a training matrix.

Employees and stakeholders must be aware of health and safety goals and responsibilities through meetings, emails, noticeboards, toolbox talks, newsletters, memos, intranet, and social media. Progress towards meeting safety objectives needs to be demonstrated.

Establish effective internal and external communication channels with a comprehensive strategy using meetings, reporting protocols, and digital tools. Promote open dialogue and ensure external partners access essential information

Document OH&S-related information thoroughly using digital systems like Q-Hub, Q-Pulse. Establish procedures for regular reviews and audits to ensure accuracy and compliance.

Section 8: Operation

Organisations must manage processes to meet OH&S objectives. Controls may include creating SOPs for health and safety, conducting emergency drills, and ensuring compliance of outsourced processes with OH&S standards.

Standard Operating Procedures provide consistency and compliance with health and safety regulations. They include inspections, maintenance, hazard identification, and injury prevention.

Emergency response drills train employees to handle incidents like workplace accidents or natural disasters, including scenario simulations, emergency equipment training, and evaluating evacuation routes and communication plans.

Regular supplier audits for OH&S compliance involve checking subcontractor health and safety practices, reviewing documentation, and implementing corrective actions. Clear communication with the supply chain ensures alignment with OH&S objectives.

Section 9: Performance Evaluation

Health and safety performance evaluation involves setting criteria and monitoring them, such as targets for reducing accidents and compliance with regulations. Regularly reviewing safety incident reports by ensuring detailed and accurate descriptions of incidents, identifying root causes, and implementing corrective actions helps track progress.

Conducting risk assessments also aids in monitoring improvements. Internal audits ensure effectiveness through quarterly inspections of safety equipment and procedures, including checks on emergency exits, fire extinguishers, and employee adherence to protocols.

Management reviews are conducted annually by evaluating safety metrics, discussing potential improvements, and deciding on investments for training or equipment upgrades. This aims to enhance overall safety practices.

Section 10: Improvement

Companies can identify areas for improvement by utilising suggestion schemes for employees, conducting regular review meetings, and applying root cause analysis to address nonconformities and corrective actions.

Enhancing health and safety management may include implementing advanced safety technologies to mitigate accidents, fostering safe practices through comprehensive training programs, performing compliance audits, and collaborating with suppliers to guarantee safe sourcing and production processes.

All your questions, answered.

This site has a list of frequently asked questions about ISO 45001 and other standards.

Course Checklist

QCS have prepared a checklist tool that may be useful for you to establish what you already have in place and what your organisation might need to do if it wants to seek certification.

Go HERE to download a copy of our ISO 45001 checklist (registration on this website will be required).

View checklist

part of the phsc group