ISO 45001 and OHSAS 18001 are both occupational health and safety (OH&S) management systems standards. They provide organisations with a framework for managing their OH&S risks and ensuring the health and safety of their employees. However, ISO 45001 is a newer standard that was published in 2018. OHSAS 18001 was published in 1999 and is based on a different structure. It is also not as widely recognised as ISO 45001. This blog post will explore the major Difference Between ISO 45001 and OHSAS 18001. We will also talk about the benefits of ISO 45001 Certification and how to get certified.
Table of Contents
- What are ISO 45001 and OHSAS 18001?
- Major differences between ISO 45001 and OHSAS 18001
a. Structure
b. Risk management
c. Leadership
d. Communication
3. How to get ISO 45001 certified?
4. Benefits of ISO 45001 Certification
5. Conclusion
What are ISO 45001 and OHSAS 18001?
ISO 45001 is a globally recognised standard that outlines the criteria for establishing an effective occupational health and safety (OH&S) management system. Its primary objective is to assist organisations in enhancing their OH&S performance by implementing a structured framework. This framework enables them to effectively manage risks and safeguard the well-being and safety of their workforce.
OHSAS 18001 is a British Standard that defines the prerequisites for an occupational health and safety (OH&S) management system. While sharing similarities with ISO 45001, it should be noted that OHSAS 18001 is not globally recognised as an international standard.
Major differences between ISO 45001 and OHSAS 18001
Here are some of the key differences between ISO 45001 and OHSAS 18001
Structure
The ISO 45001 standard follows the Annex SL structure, which is a uniform framework utilised in all ISO management system standards. This makes ISO 45001 more consistent with other ISO standards, making it easier for organisations to implement and maintain. OHSAS 18001 is based on a different structure.
Risk management
ISO 45001 advocates for a proactive risk management approach, which entails identifying, assessing, and controlling both risks and opportunities by organisations. OHSAS 18001 focuses more on hazards and risks.
Leadership
ISO 45001 places a greater emphasis on leadership and commitment from top management. It requires organisations to demonstrate their commitment to OH&S by setting clear objectives and providing resources. OHSAS 18001 does not have as strong a focus on leadership.
Communication
ISO 45001 requires organisations to communicate effectively with all interested parties, including employees, customers, suppliers, and the public. OHSAS 18001 does not have as strong a focus on communication.
How to Get ISO 45001 Certified
There are the basic steps involved in getting ISO 45001 certified:
- Assess your current OH&S management system: The first step is to assess your current OH&S management system to determine how well it aligns with the requirements of ISO 45001.
- Implement the necessary changes: Once you have assessed your current system, you will need to implement any necessary changes to bring it into compliance with ISO 45001.
- Get certified: Once you have implemented the necessary changes, you can then get certified by an accredited certification body.
Benefits of ISO 45001 Certification
There are many benefits to ISO 45001 certification. These include:
- ISO 45001 can help organisations improve their OH&S performance by providing a framework for managing their risks and ensuring the health and safety of their employees.
- It can increase customer confidence in an organisation’s commitment to OH&S. This can lead to increased sales and market share.
- It can help organisations reduce their costs by preventing accidents and injuries. It can also help organisations reduce their insurance premiums.
- ISO 45001 certification can enhance an organisation’s reputation as a responsible and caring employer. This can attract and retain top talent.
Conclusion
ISO 45001 and OHSAS 18001 are both important OH&S management system standards. However, ISO 45001 is a newer standard that offers several advantages over OHSAS 18001. If you are considering getting certified to an OH&S management system standard, ISO 45001 is the better choice because it is a newer standard and has global recognition.
