ISO 45001 vs. OHSAS 18001: Key Differences and Why the Transition Matters
Introduction
ISO 45001 replaced the international standardization of the Occupational Health and Safety Management Systems, which is widely implemented in the form of OHSAS 18001. Both of these standards share a similar philosophy aimed at improving workplace safety and reduction of risks; however, ISO 45001 introduces significant changes to make it more comprehensive and proactive regarding occupational health and safety.
In the article, critical differences between ISO 45001 and OHSAS 18001, reasons for transition, and also benefits that an organization finds in the adoption of ISO 45001 are discussed.
OHSAS 18001
BS OHSAS 18001 has been the widely followed standard globally for managing occupational health and safety risks. This standard provides a framework that identifies hazards at workplaces, reduces risk, and continually improves safety performance. However, it is not an international standard, and due to the inability to integrate other ISO management systems, the development of ISO 45001 took place.
Introduction to ISO 45001
ISO 45001 was published in March 2018 as the first international standard for OH&S. It shares the high-level structure (Annex SL) with other ISO standards, such as ISO 9001 for Quality Management and ISO 14001 for Environmental Management. This makes it much easier to implement several management systems at the same time.
Main Differences Between ISO 45001 and OHSAS 18001
1. Proactive Risk Management Approach
OHSAS 18001: It focuses on hazard and risk control after they have been identified.
ISO 45001: Emphasizes the identification of opportunities for improvement and the prevention of risks, rather than just their elimination. The standard fully embeds risk-based thinking within the processes of any organization.
2. Integration with Business Strategy
OHSAS 18001: Mostly covers health and safety as a separate function, without strong integration into overall business processes.
ISO 45001: The OH&S should be integrated into the strategic planning of the organization. It ensures health and safety are not isolated but part of broader business goals.
3. Leadership Commitment
OHSAS 18001: Assigns responsibility for OH&S management to specific roles, including safety officers.
ISO 45001: Greater emphasis is laid on leadership and top management participation. The leadership shall assume accountability for the efficiency of the OH&S system and create a safety culture.
4. Participation of Employees
OHSAS 18001: Safety procedures include involvement; however, employee participation in decision-making processes is not focused enough.
ISO 45001: There is active participation and consultation of workers at all levels. It encourages employees' participation in hazard identification, risk assessments, and system improvement.
5. Structure and Compatibility
OHSAS 18001: The standard has not been drafted upon the Annex SL framework. Integrating it into other standards seems difficult.
ISO 45001: Annex SL high-level structure has been taken into consideration; it assures easy integration into ISO 9001 and ISO 14001 and other management systems.
6. Focus on Organizational Context
OHSAS 18001: Does not have explicit requirements to consider the context of the organization.
ISO 45001: Organizations shall analyze the internal and external factors influencing OH&S, including legal, cultural, and social. This will make sure that the system is suited to the needs of the organization.
7. Lifecycle Perspective
OHSAS 18001: Focuses primarily on workplace activities and existing hazards.
ISO 45001: Considers the whole lifecycle of processes and activities, including supply chain impacts and interactions with external stakeholders.
Why Migrate to ISO 45001?
ISO 45001 migration is not a mere paperwork compliance issue; it's an opportunity to enhance safety, harmonize your processes against global best practices, and strengthen the corporate psyche on employee welfare. Here is why migration is important:
1. Safety Culture Improved
ISO 45001 inculcates safety culture into the organization by taking along the leadership and employees for proactive risk management. This gives rise to heightened awareness and responsibility throughout the organization.
2. Improved Integration
This means the high-level structure of ISO 45001 has made integrations with other ISO standards possible, which reduces duplication efforts and provides a united management system.
3. More Credibility
ISO 45001 is an internationally recognized benchmark related to occupational health and safety. The certificate proves that your organization is set on high standards of performance, thus fostering trust among all stakeholders.
4. Compliance with Modern Requirements
ISO 45001 reflects current workplace safety practices and regulatory expectations, ensuring your organization remains compliant with evolving standards.
5. Long-Term Cost Savings
Proactively addressing risks reduces workplace accidents and associated costs, such as compensation claims, downtime, and legal liabilities. ISO 45001 helps organizations achieve sustainable improvements in safety performance.
How to Transition from OHSAS 18001 to ISO 45001
1. Conduct a Gap Analysis
Identify the gaps between your existing OH&S management system and the requirements of ISO 45001. This will give a fair idea regarding areas for improvement.
2. Develop a Transition Plan
Develop a transition plan that details milestones, responsibilities, and timelines to effect the changes.
3. Train Employees
Educate employees and management about ISO 45001 requirements and what benefits will result from the new standard.
4. Update Documentation
Update all policies, procedures, and records as per the new ISO 45001 requirements. Utilize standardized templates to make the process simpler.
5. Internal Audits
Conduct internal audits to monitor the effectiveness of your newly revised OH&S management system for further improvements.
6. Certification
Accredited certification body to audit the system and issue ISO 45001 certification.
Conclusion
The huge leap forward in occupational health and safety management is from OHSAS 18001 to the ISO 45001 standard. ISO 45001's proactive approach, integration with business strategy, and emphasis on leadership and employee engagement make it superior for modern organizations.
Adoption of ISO 45001 allows organizations to go a step ahead and increase operational efficiency, reputation, and sustainability along with workplace safety. Those organizations still running on OHSAS 18001 need to start migrating, and the benefits will be well worth it. Visit https://www.abishekadhikari.com.np/ for more information about ISO.
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