ISO 45001 was introduced in March 2018, replacing OHSAS 18001 and was the first globally-agreed standard for health and safety management in workplaces.
Among the first adopters of ISO 45001 were CBRE Global Workplace Solutions, which specialises in facilities and project management; building science centre BRE Group; geoscience specialist the British Geological Survey; and Affinity for Business, a water provider to business.
Earlier this month, the Gentoo Group housing association became one of the latest organisations to achieve ISO 45001 certification.
“ISO 45001 is an opportunity for all organisations, whatever size and sector and whether or not going for certification, to ask themselves ‘how can we do health and safety better?’” said IOSH’s Head of Policy and Public Affairs, Richard Jones.
“As well as the health and safety benefits, the current uncertainties regarding international trading arrangements mean those whose systems meet international standards may be advantaged in competitive markets, as they transcend national and economic boundaries,” he added.
“But it’s all about better risk management and not necessarily about winning big contracts or ticking another corporate box. Employers need to do what’s right for their organisations and workers and appreciate that gaining certification isn’t an end in itself – it’s the start of a continual improvement journey.”
In addition, Lloyds Register has launched five new online training courses for ISO 45001.
The courses include two developed especially for OH&S auditors and internal auditors, which combine online digital media with traditional face-to-face methods to give increased flexibility
“It can be difficult to keep up-to-date with the latest industry developments and best practice, so I am delighted that Lloyds Register’s new eLearning courses fit around people’s busy schedules and help them to succeed professionally and to use those new skills to deliver real business benefit,” said Lloyds’ Managing Director, Business Assurance & Inspection Services, Paul Butcher.
We’ve just had our first visit RE: ISO45001 – personally I think it’s over-burdensome for SME’s in particular and breeds a culture of bureaucracy with the new structure, as everything is moving ‘corporate’ to align with the 9001 way of doing things. I have concerns it will eventually compromise safety for productivity if the wrong ethos exists within the business and just gives lipservice to the conditions set down…. plus it repeats a lot – particularly hazard identification. It is a burden to read, apply and continue on with in my opinion. Lots of paperwork generation in an era when… Read more »
Agreed, we need to move away from paper work to paperless.