In 2018, the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) published ISO 45001:2018 for occupational health and management systems. Organizations currently registered to OHSAS 18001, an older standard, were given three years to transition to ISO 45001 before their certifications would no longer be valid. As a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, ISO extended the transition deadline until September 11, 2021. And, although some elements of OHSAS 18001 were used in its development, it is important to note this is a completely different standard and governing body that, while it is intended to replace OHSAS, is not truly a continuation of that program.

So how do you decide whether or not to implement?

Implementation of a management system such as ISO 45001 is not something to be taken lightly. Each year, organizations expend significant resources in strategic planning and determining which initiatives and continual improvement activities to prioritize. Businesses should give thoughtful considerations to the resources required versus benefit, to understand the return on investment. Although implementation is a distinct phase in the life of a management system, there’s much more to it. The key is noting the word sustainable. While it would be wonderful to have an endpoint and state that the system is “complete”, your system will require ongoing maintenance, correction, and improvement… forever. As your organization, industry, customers, and the economy change, you must revise and adapt your system to meet those changes; thereby proving to be a sustainable system.

Benefits of ISO 45001

An effectively implemented, sustainable ISO 45001 safety management system can provide a great many benefits. The benefits have the potential to far exceed the investment of time and money. Paramount is the improved safety of your associates. Improvements in this area not only protect one of your most valuable assets, your people, but they also provide an opportunity to foster an improved organizational culture built on trust. This one benefit has been shown to reduce employee turnover, enhance morale, and improve employee engagement. The standard also has unique requirements for participation and consultation of employees. Not only does this further support positive changes in an organization’s culture, but it also engrains the requirements and benefits at an early stage and leads to improved employee ‘buy-in’ to the system. Undoubtedly, there are substantial benefits from a business perspective as well. Frequently, organizations with a certified Safety Management System are seen as industry leaders. Their commitment to employee well-being further solidifies their relationship with clients and provides opportunities to expand their overall customer base. Additionally, the return on investment compared to reductions in lost time, lower insurance expense, and decreased direct and indirect expenses resulting from employee injuries could pay for the system many times over.

Keys to Successful Implementation

Commitment - All associates within the organization, from the top down, must be committed to embracing the system. While non-management personnel can be mandated to follow system requirements, support, and commitment from leadership is not only necessary but is a required element of any ISO standard.

Focus - The system must be designed to meet organizational goals and objectives as well as customer requirements.

Assessment - An analysis of the organization’s current systems and methodologies must be completed to fully understand where gaps may exist. Even without a formal management system in place, most organizations have established processes and policies that could be modified for use during implementation.

Flexible - The system must be dynamic and able to adapt to changes in processes, products, and services.

Compatible - The approach of the Management System must be compatible with the culture of an organization to ensure long-term success. In some cases, successful implementation may require a shift in the organization’s established culture.

Improvement - It is important to remember that the continual improvement of a Management System must become an organizational priority and a permanent element in the business’s strategy.

By embracing the above mindset and being fully aware of the benefits and challenges of implementation, your Safety Management System has a much better chance of success. Moreover, your company will continue to benefit from the system for years to come. Cornerstone’s ISO experts can assist with transitioning your current OHSAS standard to ISO 45001 or build one from scratch. Contact us today at info@corner-enviro.com or on our website https://www.cornerstone-ehs.com/contact-us/.