OHSAS 18001 / ISO 45001

Occupational Health and Safety (OH&S) is a "connecting thread" that goes through all the processes of the organization. OHSAS 18001 lays down requirements for the OH&S management system and improvement of its performance. It does not provide specific performance criteria, or a detailed instruction on the implementation of the management system, but it defines general principles for the implementation, maintenance and continuous improvement of the OH&S management system. This standard is applicable to all organizations which have an intention of developing a system for OH&S risk management linked to the activities of the organization concerning its employees and other interested parties. It fully aligns with ISO 9001 and ISO 14001 standards. The result of an OHSAS certification is a globally recognized certificate proving the implementation of an effective OH&S management system. A stand-alone certificate is issued after the certification audit has been completed to confirm the compliance with all the OHSAS 18001:2007 requirements. The audit can be planned separately or as an integrated audit with other abovementioned ISO 9001 and 14001 standards.

In March 2018, the long awaited ISO 45001 standard was published On 12th March 2018, the international standard ISO 45001 Occupational Health & Safety Management Systems – Requirements & procedures was published. Since the beginning of the millennium, the International Organization of Standardization has now made the second attempt to publish this standard. However, the previous draft did not succeed. Therefore the British Standards Institution (BSI) published the BS OHSAS 18001, which became - soon after it has been published in 1999 - the standard used globally for the accredited certification. (Its ČSN version was published in 2004). After a year-long delay, the ISO 45001 standard was successfully published and BSI announced that ISO 45001 will replace the OHSAS 18001 standard, over a 3-year migration timeframe. In practice it means that the accredited certification according to OHSAS 18001 will be terminated by March 11, 2021.

What are the anticipated benefits of ISO 45001 for the OH&S management system?

First of all, it fully aligns with existing ISO standards for management systems – in particular with ISO 9001 and ISO 14001. This standard has a generic structure into the new high level structure for management systems standards. The High Level Structure is a set of 10 principal clauses. The new standard is based on an OHSAS 18001 concept, adding details recommended by the International Labour Organization (ILO). In particular, it concerns the concepts of employee’s consultations and their participation in OH&S matters, also the application of hierarchy risk management tools that include the elimination of hazard, the reduction of risks by substitution of hazardous processes, activities, materials, equipment. Also, it concerns the use of technical, organizational and administrative tools, including the training, and, finally, the use of appropriate protective equipment. Greater emphasis is being placed on the purchasing process, outsourcing in particular. EU law and Czech legislation fully support these principles; therefore the biggest innovation for certified organizations represents the integration of existing tools of the OH&S management system within a new concept of ISO standards for management systems, that includes strategic management through a context of the organization, fulfilment of requirements and expectations of interested parties, and risk & opportunities identification for strategic goals. Certification according to the new standard will therefore benefit from the prior certification according to 2015 versions of ISO 9001 and ISO 14001 amendments.

News!

On 1.10. 2018 the Czech Agency for Standardization issued the standard ČSN ISO 45001 Occupational health and safety management systems - Requirements with instructions for use.

After a 3-year transition period, this standard will completely replace the ČSN OHSAS 18001 standard. TÜV NORD already has the appropriate accreditation and also fully qualified auditors to perform audits in accordance with this new standard

For more information, please, contact: Mgr. Viktor Šaroch, Mobile: +420 602 664 895, Email: saroch@tuev-nord.cz

If you are interested in training sessions (possible in English as well), please contact: Klára Svěráková, Mobile: +420 731 701 992, Email: sverakova@tuev-nord.cz