Based on current information from Standards Australia, ISO 45001 will be adopted in October 2018.
ISO45001 is the new international standard for safety management systems. Published in March 2018 it will replace OHSAS18001 by March 2021. This standard will focus more on identifying and controlling the safety risk when compared to the OHSAS 18001 and AS/NZS 4801.
Organisations already certified to OHSAS 18001 have three years from the 12th of March 2018 to migrate to the new ISO 45001 standard. Your existing certification body will send you information about the migration but you can expect additional audit days to be added to your standard surveillance audit.
Organisations certified to AS/NZS 4801 currently can obtain non JAS-ANZ accredited certification to ISO 45001 with certification bodies planning to reissue the ISO 45001 certificates with the JAS-ANZ logo once it has been adopted by JAS-ANZ. Based on current information from Standards Australia, ISO 45001 should be adopted around October 2018.
What’s in it for you?
This transition is good news for workers and employers. The new standard will focus more on identifying and controlling risks, resulting in safer workplaces.
Organisation that are administering an integrated workplace risk management system incorporating safety, quality and environmental management will, at long last, be able to administer a truly integrated system with the same elements and principals for ISO9001, ISO14001 and ISO45001. For international organisation, there is now a common world-wide standard. Specific benefits will include:
Health and Safety performance will be incorporated into the strategic planning process
Increased organisational resilience through proactive risk prevention, innovation and continual improvement
Strengthening of legal and regulatory compliance whilst reducing business losses
Demonstrates brand responsibility by committing to safe, healthy and sustainable work
One global occupational health and safety system for all businesses, of all sizes
Where to from here?
Familiarise yourself with the new standard and how it compares to the one you are/were planning to be certified against.
Start planning for the transition. We can assist with a gap analysis and plan for migration.
Inform your team – senior management and other interested parties, including workers. This will be a journey for the whole organisation.