Implement ISO 45001:2018
Many organizations are considering certification of their Occupational Health & Safety (OHS) programs to the ISO 45001:2018 standard.
Your company has likely been focused on employee safety for many years and has many elements of an OHS Management System (OHSMS) already in place. This may include the following:
- Employee safety committees and suggestion programs
- Job Hazard Assessments for production related processes
- Identification of key OSHA legal requirements
- Identification of required training
- Safety communication processes – toolbox talks, safety alerts, etc.
- Written safety procedures and instructions
- Emergency Response Plans
- Safety Performance Metrics
- Safety Inspection Processes
- Incident Investigation Process
- Management review of performance
- Defined Safety Objectives and Improvements
Depending on the degree that these processes are developed and implemented, developing an ISO 45001 OHSMS can be a relatively straight forward process.
The first step will be to review these processes and improve how they are documented to improve conformance with the ISO 45001 requirements. Typically, you will need to improve evidence of employee participation and management leadership.
Next step is to review your current IATF 16949/ISO 9001, ISO 14001, and other management tools to look for opportunities to integrate and document issues related to the ISO 45001 requirements. This can include information related to the Context of the Organization and Interested Parties, and the relevant risks in these areas.
Additional work will be needed in the following areas:
- Incorporate ISO 45001 requirements into your existing IATF 16949/ ISO 9001 or ISO 14001 management systems.
- Expand hazard identification and risk assessment processes to include visitors, contractors, and non-production related activities.
- Expand participation in safety committees and documentation of ISO 45001 related topics.
- May need to improve documentation related to employee safety suggestions.
- Formally document applicable OSHA and other compliance obligations.
- Improved documentation of safety related topics within existing management meetings.
- Possible need to improve / expand safety communication processes.
- Ensure safety related documentation including forms are formally controlled.
- Review existing safety performance metrics and defined leading versus lagging performance indicators.
- Develop formal compliance monitoring program related to legal requirements.
- Expand internal audit process to ISO 45001 requirements.
- Review incident investigation process to insure it meets ISO 45001 requirements.
- Update formal corrective process to include safety related nonconformance.
As with the implementation of any management system, the following will be key to its success:
- Management Support
- Defined Implementation Plan with needed resources
- Cross functional implementation team
EHS Management Strategies has worked with many organizations to help them implement certified OHSMS programs. We started working with the OHSAS 18001 standard and have helped many organizations achieve certification ISO 45001. In January 2023, we will be hosting a FREE “How to implement ISO 45001:2018” workshop. If you’re interested in attending, please click the link below to send us an email.
