SGS United Kingdom Ltd (SGS) is looking to engage with visitors on the typical pitfalls of the new ISO 45001 standard, and how to overcome them at Safety & Health Expo this month.
UK Product Manager at SGS, Kate Breslin, will host a session on Wednesday 20 June to review the processes involved in migrating from an OHSAS 18001 management system to the new ISO 45001 system. She will consider in particular the shift in structure to the widely used Annex SL format of the existing ISO standards.
Kate Breslin explains: “For companies used to the OHSAS 18001 standard, it’s important that they are made aware of anticipated challenges that will arise from this new standard.
“The SGS team will be on hand for the full expo event at stand S350 to answer any questions about ISO 45001, and to provide organisations with a clear understanding of the requirements it places on them.”
The Annex SL structure has been widely adopted by the majority of ISO standards, and as a result allows organisations to better integrate a number of different ISO standards. The Annex SL structure of the new ISO 45001 is also more accessible to an organisation’s workforce, and requires the active commitment and input from senior management, as well as the relevant department team members.
This necessity for company leaders to be involved in the process is a key marker in the success of the management system, and the continued improvement of an organisation’s operational processes.
“The ISO 45001 standard presents organisations with a different style of auditing,” adds Breslin. “Gone are the days when an auditor would primarily focus on paperwork; we will be out talking to people a lot more, and making sure companies are doing what they say they are. It’s a more practical approach that benefits the company, its suppliers and customers.”
SGS – a UKAS accredited certification body – carries out audits in the UK and overseas, and offers group certificates to large multi-national organisations.
Kate Breslin will host the session ‘The Migration from OHSAS 18001 to ISO 45001’ on Wednesday 20 June at 2.45pm, in the Operational Excellence Theatre.
The topic of the session will cover the migration from OHSAS 18001 to ISO 45001 and Kate will be discussing the differences between the 2 standards, the pitfall areas people could experience during the migration process and the benefits of the new ISO 45001 standard.
The session would be relevant to anyone already holding OHSAS 18001 and looking to migrate or anyone considering ISO 45001 certification.