The ISO 45001:2018 management system

ISO 45001:2018 is organised into ten clauses. Clauses 4 to 10 contain the requirements and follow the plan, do, check, act pattern.

Clause 1, Scope. Sets out the requirements for an OHS management system and gives guidance on its use, so that organisations can provide safe and healthy workplaces by preventing work-related injury and ill health and by improving OHS performance proactively. It suits any organisation that wants to establish, implement and maintain such a system in order to improve OHS, remove hazards, reduce OHS risks (including weaknesses in the system), take advantage of OHS opportunities and deal with nonconformities in its OHS management system.

Clause 2, Normative references. The standard has none.

Clause 3, Terms and definitions. Defines the main terms used in the standard.

Clause 4, Context of the organisation. Context is the most notable new feature of ISO 45001:2018. A good grasp of the organisation and its surroundings, and of the needs and expectations of workers and other stakeholders, is essential to designing and running a suitable system. Workers here means everyone working for or on behalf of the organisation, but the scope must also take in every relevant stakeholder and what they need and expect. Management's focus on controlling processes is a basic part of deciding the scope.

Clause 5, Leadership and worker participation. Covers roles, responsibilities, accountability and authority. Responsibility and authority can be assigned, yet senior management remains ultimately responsible for how the system operates. Senior management must lead clearly and show commitment. It must establish the OHS policy, see that it is carried out and communicated to everyone, and assign the roles and responsibilities that go with it. There is a strong emphasis on processes that allow workers to take part and be consulted, especially in finding existing risks.

Clause 6, Planning. Risk determination is the key feature. Hazard identification must look at processes such as product and service design and research and development. Actions to address risks and opportunities are a basic element. Hazard identification must take in routine and non-routine activities, human factors, new or changing hazards, emergencies, people, possible changes, previous incidents, and the organisation of work or social factors. Opportunities to improve health and safety can arise from a better organisational culture, new technology, more training and knowledge, and greater employee participation.

Clause 7, Support. Deals with the resources needed to build and sustain the system: people, infrastructure, technology, competence, awareness, information, training and communication, both internal and external. Workers need to be competent to identify risks, because they must take a more active part in that task. Workers, contractors, visitors and others should be able to recognise serious or imminent risks to life or health.

Clause 8, Operation. Puts great weight on eliminating hazards and reducing risks. Its main processes are operational control (procedures and the hierarchy of controls, with elimination as the first choice), management of change, procurement, contractor management and emergencies. There is special emphasis on procurement controls and on defining requirements when buying products and equipment, and on controls for contractors and the coordination of business activities. Emergencies, whether from natural or human causes, must be assessed on the basis of the health and safety risks already identified.

Clause 9, Performance evaluation. Includes monitoring and measurement, internal audit, evaluation of legal compliance and management review. The management review should not be a simple presentation of results. It should be a strategic evaluation by senior management to decide on improvements and analyse the outcomes.

Clause 10, Improvement. Deals with incidents, nonconformities and corrective action. After an incident, the organisation must assess the OHS risks before it takes action that could create new or changing hazards. It also covers continual improvement and the inputs that must feed it, and stresses the idea of regular improvement in the organisation's health and safety behaviour.

Summary notes for Element 2 · Cheat sheet · Glossary. A study aid, not published or endorsed by NEBOSH.