How To Implement ISO 45001
Wondering How to Implement ISO 45001? The international standard for Occupational Health and Safety (OH&S) management systems, is a crucial step for organizations committed to ensuring the health, safety, and well-being of their employees.
About ISO 45001 Occupational Health and Safety (OH&S)
ISO 45001 is a globally recognized standard that sets forth requirements for establishing, implementing, maintaining, and continually improving an occupational health and safety management system within an organization. It aims to provide a framework for preventing work-related injuries, and illnesses, as well as promoting a safe and healthy work environment for employees and other stakeholders. Just like the ISO 9001 and ISO 14001 have provided the framework to achieve better quality management and environmental protection, ISO 45001 helps create the necessary pathway for improving the safety of workers in an organization through utilizing a Plan-Do-Check-Act model.
Benefits of Implementing ISO 45001 Occupational Health and Safety (OH&S)
The benefits of implementing ISO 45001 include:
- Reduction of workplace accidents, injuries, and illnesses
- Improved employee health and well-being
- Enhanced compliance with legal and regulatory requirements
- Enhances company image and international recognition
- Increased productivity and efficiency through better risk management
- Greater stakeholder confidence and trust
- Cost savings from fewer accidents, insurance premiums, and absenteeism
How To Implement ISO 45001 Certification In Malaysia
Implementing ISO 45001 involves a series of structured stages to ensure effective implementation and compliance. Engaging a reputable ISO Consultant / Consulting Firm early in the process can streamline these stages and offer invaluable assistance. Let’s break down the process into 11 key stages:
Stage 1: Understand What is ISO 45001 OH&S Management Systems
The first step toward implementing ISO 45001 is understanding its purpose and how it can be beneficial to your organization. You can start by understanding what an OH&S management system is and how it can benefit both the workers and the organization in improving overall safety and risk management. You will then need to understand and familiarize yourself with the 10 clauses in ISO 45001:2018.
With a deeper understanding of ISO 45001 OH&S Management Systems, you can now develop strong reasoning on why your organization should implement the standard by correlating the requirements and understanding the effect it could have on your organization.
Stage 2: Initial Baseline Assessment
Conduct an initial baseline assessment of your organization’s current OH&S management practices. Identify existing strengths, weaknesses, and areas for improvement related to occupational health and safety. This is important in order to understand how ISO 45001 will fit into the currently used system and the scope of changes needed for their implementation in your organization.
For example, some organizations may have implemented ISO 9001 (quality management) and ISO 14001 (environment protection) which contain the same concepts as ISO 45001. This allows for a less complex integration and the transition to the new standards can be made seamlessly.
Stage 3: Engage With Your Stakeholders
Implementing ISO 45001 standard could lead to some change in the organization and this will affect some individuals and groups in a number of ways. Collect feedback from the entire organization and understand the different perspectives and opinions that people might have about safety and health risks.
This stage is important as it involves engaging with the organization’s leadership and educating them on why it is in the organization’s best interest to implement ISO 45001, and helps create a culture where everyone has a say in managing the safety management system.
Stage 4: System Planning
Develop a comprehensive plan for implementing ISO 45001 within your organization. Define roles, responsibilities, objectives, and targets for OH&S performance improvement. Remember to take into account what you have gained from the previous 3 steps, and include it into your planning.
Remember that planning is a phase that will happen at several points in the framework of an effective OH&S management system. This includes the periodic planning for achieving set goals which are reviewed and revisited, and also in the event of any changes that could be caused by any planned or unplanned situation.
Stage 5: Create Awareness By Training
Create awareness and build capacity within your organization by providing training and education on ISO 45001 requirements, OH&S principles, and the benefits of certification. Ensure that employees at all levels understand their roles in implementing and maintaining the OH&S management system to protect them and others from danger and hazardous practices.
This training should be conducted during initial employment and should be regularly held to refresh their understanding at least once a year. It should include the means to report any incidents, hazards associated with the working environment and processes of work, and ensure they have a clear understanding that it is encouraged to report hazards and any threatening incidents.
Stage 6: System Development
Develop the ISO 45001 OH&S management system tailored to your organization’s unique context and requirements. Define OH&S policies, procedures, and processes to address identified hazards, risks, and opportunities for improvement.
This step is crucial as it will affect the workflow, efficiency, and the effort you and your organizations will put into to make the OH&S management system effective. It is essentially laying the groundwork for a better and safer workplace.
Stage 7: System Adequacy Review
Conduct a thorough review of the developed OH&S management system to ensure its adequacy and effectiveness in addressing ISO 45001 requirements and organizational objectives.Start by identifying any gaps or areas needing improvement and make necessary adjustments between the system and the outlines specified in the ISO 45001 standard.
Once you have identified the gaps and areas which need attention, you can start planning and adding the necessary improvements to ensure it will meet the requirements set by ISO 45001.
Stage 8: Implementation and Monitoring
Implement the planned OH&S practices and procedures across your organization. You will also need to establish mechanisms for monitoring and measuring OH&S performance indicators, such as incident rates, hazard controls, and emergency response effectiveness.
With ISO 45001 executed, you can now track the performance and benchmark it against the goals and objectives that have been identified. This is done to continuously improve both the safety and performance of your organization including the workers and stakeholders.
Stage 9: Internal Audit & Management Review
Conduct internal audits of the implemented OH&S management system to assess compliance with ISO 45001 requirements and identify opportunities for improvement. Engage top management in regular reviews of OH&S performance, system effectiveness, and compliance status.
Ensure there are records of documentation and reports of findings during the audits to ensure transparency and accountability by relevant parties. This will act as a benchmark for improvement, and establish a proactive culture that prioritizes continuous development of the OH&S system.
Stage 10: Implement Corrective Actions
There are bound to be problems in OH&S management system. These could include issues in the process management or findings during internal audits. These issues need to be rectified through appropriate corrective action
It is important to ensure the corrective actions are implemented accordingly to avoid the issues from arising again in the future.
Stage 11: Certification Preparation
Prepare your organization for ISO 45001 certification by engaging an accredited certification body. It is crucial to select a reputable ISO Consultant / Consulting Firm that can effectively guide and support your organization through the audit process. Ensure that all documentation, records, and evidence of OH&S management system implementation are organized and readily available for review.
Tips to Implement ISO 45001 Certification
- Foster a culture of safety: Promote active participation and engagement of employees in OH&S initiatives.
- Continual improvement: Embrace a culture of continuous improvement to enhance OH&S performance over time.
- Leadership commitment: Demonstrate visible leadership commitment to OH&S by allocating resources, setting objectives, and leading by example.
- Communication and consultation: Establish effective communication channels and consult with employees on OH&S matters to foster collaboration and engagement.
- Risk-based approach: Prioritize hazard identification, risk assessment, and risk control measures to prevent workplace accidents and injuries.
Why Regner Consulting
When dealing with the challenges of obtaining ISO certification, partnering with a trusted consulting firm can make all the difference. Regner Consulting is committed at providing a helping hand to our clients by providing a comprehensive range of ISO 45001 consulting and training for organizations to successfully obtain and maintain the ISO certification.
Top 6 Reasons why you should partner with Regner Consulting:
- Award Winning ISO Consultants
Regner Consulting is proud to be recognized as one of the Top 10 ISO Consultants in Southeast Asia for 2023. This esteemed award is a testament to our commitment to excellence and our proven track record of delivering outstanding results for our clients. - Expert Guidance And Support
Our team provides expert guidance and support throughout your ISO certification journey. From initial assessment to post-certification maintenance, we’re with you every step of the way, ensuring that you achieve and sustain ISO compliance with confidence. - Cutting-Edge Technology
Leveraging cutting-edge ISO software and the latest tools and technologies, we streamline the ISO implementation process, making it efficient, cost-effective, and minimally disruptive to your business operations. - Transparent Pricing
No hidden charges. Our training are HRD Corp claimable courses, offering significant savings for your organization. Additionally, we provide assistance in claiming double tax deductions for certification fees. - 100% Success Rate
Our clients have achieved a 100% pass rate for ISO certification on their first application. - Long term Vitality
Proven by our ISO survey, our management system is simple to implement, cuts waste, enhances processes, and guarantees sustainable, long-term vitality for current and future challenges.
Summary
Implementing ISO 45001 certification is a strategic investment in the health, safety, and well-being of your employees. By following a structured approach and leveraging valuable tips, organizations can establish OH&S management systems that not only comply with ISO standards but also drive continual improvement and ensure a safe and healthy work environment for all stakeholders.
If you want to know more about how to implement ISO 45001 certification in Malaysia, feel free to contact us. Our ISO experts will provide you with the necessary guidance to navigate the certification process effectively.
Frequently Asked Question
1. How long would it take to implement ISO 45001?
The duration will depend on the knowledge, resources, and expertise of the people involved in implementing the standards. However, the general consensus is it would take at least 6 months to fully implement ISO 45001 for most organizations.
2. How long will the certification be valid for?
As with other ISO certifications, the ISO 45001 certification is valid for three years from the approval date. During this validity period, two surveillance audits will be conducted – one each year, to verify that you’re meeting the requirements for the standards. Once the 3 years validity period ends, you must recertify to maintain your certification.
3. What are the 10 clauses in ISO 45001:2018?
ISO 45001:2018 contains 10 clauses, which aim to help organizations create an effective OH&S system that can successfully reduce work-related injuries and diseases
a. Clause 1 – Scope : Contains the introductory information about ISO 45001 as a standard for an OH&S management system.
b. Clauses 2 & 3 – Terms and terminology : These two clauses summarize the ISO 45001 requirements, with Clause 3 featuring a list of terms and definitions that apply to the ISO 45001.
c. Clause 4 – Context of the organization : This clause mandates that organizations evaluate their issues and risks in terms of Occupational Health and Safety and document the needs and expectations of relevant parties.
d. Clause 5 – Leadership : The clause requires top management of the organization to show leadership and commitment to the OH&S management system, and to implement, monitor, and maintain an OH&S policy that is unique to them.
e. Clause 6 – Planning : This clause involves establishing the goal of your organization’s Health and Safety Management Systems and how to achieve them.
f. Clause 7 – Support : This clause requires your organization to provide the support including resources, communication methods, and documented information required to implement, manage, and continually improve the Occupational Health and Safety Management System.
g. Clause 8 – Operation : This clause briefs the control in operation that the organizations must go into such as the subject of emergency response and eliminating hazards.
h. Clause 9 – Performance evaluation : This clause touches on the performance evaluation that encompasses the system involved in monitoring and assessing compliance to ensure the effectiveness of the overall system.
i. Clause 10 – Improvement : This clause covers how your organization should handle the OH&S system noncompliance, incidents, and implementation of corrective actions for continuous improvement.
4. What are the costs associated with getting and maintaining ISO 45001 certification?
There are several costs associated with getting the certifications for your organization. This includes:
- Consultancy fees for developing and implementing the OH&S management system in your organization.
- Certification fees for the assessment, surveillance audits, and recertification audits once every 3 years.
- Internal running costs for maintaining the OH&S management system.
- Applicable OHS monitoring such as Noise Risk Assessment, Chemical Exposure Monitoring, Chemical Health Risk Assessment (CHRA), Air Monitoring, etc.
5. What are the courses related to getting an ISO 45001 certifications?
There are two courses provided by us that are related to ISO 45001 certifications, which are “ISO 45001 Awareness and Requirements Training” and “ISO 45001 Internal Auditor Training”. These courses will help your organization improve the knowledge and awareness of the standards and help achieve the ISO 45001 certifications.