With its focus on protecting staff and customers from injury or harm, implementing an Occupational Health and Safety management system such as ISO 45001 can be one of the most effective ways for a business to enhance its operations and remain compliant with legal requirements.
Those already implementing a management system certified to the latest Occupational Health and Safety standard (ISO 45001:2018) may have been surprised to see that an updated version (ISO 45001:2023) has now been published.
Before businesses panic that they might have unknowingly fallen behind with the latest best practice standards, we are here to reassure you that these two versions are, in fact, identical. All that has changed is that the existing Standard has been adopted by the European Standardizations body (CEN), leading to the change in title from BS ISO 45001:2018 to BS EN ISO 45001:2023.
The change requires no action from businesses with a management system that is already certified to ISO 45001:2018, but is a sign of how popular this standard has become in a fast-changing world and how the UK is leading the way when it comes to best practices.
So, what is it about an ISO 45001-certified Occupational Health and Safety management system that can be so transformative?
A well-designed management system creates a best-practice roadmap for your people to follow; building a culture of safety and continual improvement into your very core.
As ISO 45001 is focussed on the protection of workers and requires the collaboration of all levels and functions within an organisation, it also works well for a unionised workforce.
And, while a well-designed management system will prioritise the physical safety of their workers, businesses will also want to know that their workplaces enable employees to live healthy lives. That doesn’t just mean limiting employees’ exposure to loud or vibrating machinery to avoid long-term health issues, but could also mean investing in programs to improve their mental health and well-being.
At Mayer, our team of expert consultants can help to design and implement a bespoke management system that helps your business take full advantage of these benefits. Our gap analysis and training can ensure your company is ready when your external ISO auditors arrive on site. Our service offerings also include internal audits and assessments, giving businesses confidence that their facilities meet the strict legal requirements to safeguard employees, customers, and the local community. This can even include a focussed audit of a specific area of legislation such as COSHH compliance.
If, however, you’re confidently running a management system based on ISO 45001:2018, the good news is that the arrival of ISO 45001:2023 means no changes are required and that you’re already meeting the high standards for health and safety that this regime demands.
