ISO 45001: Everything you need to know

ISO 45001 is the new international standard for occupational health and safety in the workplace. Getting certified to ISO 45001 can seem daunting and as an employer, you are likely to have many questions about the process, the procedure, and the benefits.

To help you decide if ISO 45001 is suitable for your business and prepare for the first stages of the implementation, here are all of our most frequently asked questions surrounding ISO 45001 certification:

What is ISO 45001?

ISO 45001 is the new international standard for occupational health and safety designed to help buisnesses worldwide reduce workplace injuries and illnesses. It is a useful framework for employers looking to manage health and safety responsibilities more effectively by providing governmental agencies, industry leaders and other affected stakeholders with usable guidance.

Read our blog for a more specific deep dive into what ISO 45001 is.

Who needs ISO 45001 certification?

Any company that needs to meet the universal standard for occupational health and safety – which is most organisations!

The ISO 45001 certification can be applied to businesses with different systematic complexities. From small companies with low-risk operations to large companies with high-risk thresholds, it is a universal standard that specifically concerns occupational health and safety by addressing and controlling risks.

For a comprehensive look at the 10 fantastic benefits of ISO 45001, take a look at this blog.

How long does it take to get ISO 45001 certified?

Usually, you can achieve certification in three to six months. However, how long it takes your organisation will depend on your size, resources, field etc. Making sure the management system is implemented correctly is more important than being implemented quickly.

Working out how long implementing ISO 45001 will take you depends on a number of mitigating factors, such as the need for training, company size and field of work – book a free consultation with IMSM today and we can give you a customised quote.

Do you need ISO 45001 training?

As part of your implementation with IMSM, you will be trained by an external auditor who will help you to improve occupational health and safety management in your workplace. IMSM also offer internal auditor training for the ISO 45001 standard – find out more here. 

If you want to start improving your health and safety management now in preparation for your ISO 45001 training, read this blog with 9 simple tips to improve health and safety at work.

How do you choose ISO 45001 consultants?

When selecting an ISO 45001 consultant, someone professional and experienced is desirable. Assessing consultants can be a difficult process, but to help you make an informed decision, here are 16 questions you should ask your prospective consultants.

What’s the difference between ISO 45001 and BS OHSAS 18001?

The main difference is that ISO 45001 is an internationally recognised standard whereas BS OHSAS 18001 was a British Standard. OHSAS 18001:2017 is no longer recognised as it was withdrawn in September 2021. ISO 45001 was published in March 2018 and takes into account advances in business, technology and quality management systems.

What are your health and safety responsibilities as an employer?

As a business owner, it is your responsibility to protect the health, safety, and welfare of your employees. An employer’s five main responsibilities are to:

1. Protect the health, safety and welfare of their employees and other people who might be affected by their business. Employers must do whatever is reasonably practicable to achieve this.
2. Make sure that workers and others are protected from anything that may cause harm, effectively controlling any risks to injury or health that could arise in the workplace.
3. Assess risks in the workplace. Risk assessments should be carried out that address all risks that might cause harm in your workplace.
4. Give employees information about the risks in the workplace and how they are protected, also instruct and train them on how to deal with the risks.
5. Consult employees on health and safety issues. Consultation must be either direct or through a safety representative that is either elected by the workforce or appointed by a trade union.

More details about employer and employee responsibility can be found on our blog.

Do construction businesses need ISO 45001?

It is vital that construction businesses prioritise health and safety and ISO 45001 helps you to do just this. The certification process will ensure your organisation is compliant with the law, minimise risks and create a more efficient working environment.