ISO 45001 is the new international standard for occupational health and safety management, expected to be published in February 2018 and replacing the existing OHSAS 18001 standard. The standard reduces workplace risks to improve employee safety.

Gaining the ISO 45001 certification allows you to demonstrate that your business operates a best-practice Occupational Health and Safety Management System – reducing the likelihood of accidents and breaches of legislation, as well as improving your organisation’s overall performance.

This standard is expected to surpass many existing health and safety standards because it has been developed by a committee of occupational health and safety experts. It will take into account other international standards in this area such as OHSAS 18001, the International Labour Organization’s ILO-OSH Guidelines, various national standards and the ILO’s international labour standards and conventions. This makes it one of the most valuable Health and Safety Management Systems available to date.

Here are some benefits of using the ISO 45001 framework:

• Establish controls to ensure legal compliance – ISO 45001 can help you to establish operational controls which take into account risks and opportunities, as well as legal and other requirements
  
• Increase Health and Safety Awareness – the management system helps organisations to increase employee awareness of Occupational Health and Safety risks, ensuring workers take an active role in health and safety matters
  
• Enhance your Reputation – Achieving certification to this standard is recognition that you have achieved an international benchmark, getting you noticed by customers who are concerned about their social responsibilities
  
• Reduce Absenteeism – by better managing H&S risks in the workplace you will be able to protect employees, reducing absenteeism and turnover rates