Occupational health and safety system ISO 45001

What is ISO 45001 Standard?

OHSAS 18001 Occupational Health and Safety Management System is the standard that is in force today for occupational health and safety. However, this standard is not an ISO standard and, more importantly, it is not accredited.

As the issue of improving employee rights became increasingly important with the development of industrialization, the BS 1996 Occupational Health and Safety Management System Guide was first published by the British Standards Institute in 8800. This first standard is the first health and safety standard. A number of standards have been developed following their scope and application. However, none of this has been a basis for certification work. In order to overcome these differences, several independent auditing companies and certification bodies came together and started a study. The aim of this study is to establish an internationally valid health and safety standard. The OHSAS 18001 Occupational Health and Safety Management System standard was published in 1999 as a result of these efforts.

The most important factor that distinguishes the OHSAS 18001 standard from the standards such as the ISO 9001 Quality Management System standard or the ISO 14001 Environmental Management System standard is that it is intended for occupational health and safety rather than the safety of the product or service. The OHSAS definition consists of the initials of the Occupational Health and Safety Assessment System, which means an occupational health and safety assessment system in English.

2014 In April, the first efforts to obtain an accreditation of the OHSAS 18001 standard began. A committee established under the International Standards Organization (ISO) was responsible for revising and improving this standard. The Committee immediately commenced the work, gathered and evaluated feedbacks and discussed the problems faced by the companies applying the OHSAS 18001 standard and the related solutions.

The ISO 18001 Occupational Health and Safety Management System standard, which will replace the OHSAS 45001 standard, was first drafted and submitted for approval. However, this draft was not accepted in the first vote and the committee continued its work and drafted the second draft and submitted it for approval once again. This time the general clauses of the standard were adopted and the draft was published in August of 2015.

This draft of the ISO 45001 standard has been prepared in accordance with the new system foreseen by the International Standards Organization for quality systems. The ISO 45001 standard consists of 10 material and is harmonized with other quality systems in accordance with the new structure called Annex SL which will form the roof of the quality systems.

As is known, the latest update of the ISO 9001 Quality Management System standard was released in September of 2015. The latest update of this standard brings a risk-based thinking perspective to all enterprises applying the Quality Management System and all enterprises will have a structure that will integrate their existing business processes with the Quality Management System processes.

The ISO 45001 Occupational Health and Safety Management System standard, which is prepared in parallel, provides a framework for businesses around the world to reduce risks in the workplace, increase employee safety and create better and safer working conditions, and help businesses to regulate their responsibilities and reduce their risks.

Why ISO 45001 Occupational Health and Safety Management System is needed?

According to World Labor Organization (ILO) figures, more than one million 2 workers die annually from occupational diseases or work accidents worldwide. According to the figures of the Ministry of Labor and Social Security in our country, around one thousand 100 accidents occur every year and around one thousand employees lose their lives. These figures are not to be ignored. Businesses must identify and manage the hazards and risks that may arise in terms of occupational safety and employee health.

Preparations for the ISO 45001 Occupational Health and Safety Management System standard were expected to be completed and published in 2016, but have not yet come to an end.

The fact that enterprises increase production activities, gain from these activities and fight against their competitors in the market depends first of all on the importance to be given to health and safety within the enterprise. In order for the companies to be successful, it is necessary to provide a transparent and reliable working environment as well as a strong management and qualified workforce.

The ISO 45001 standard focuses more on leadership, organizational structure and risk management. According to the revised draft studies, the top management of enterprises are more involved in occupational health and safety issues. In addition, since this standard is designed in accordance with the latest format published by ISO, if any of the ISO standards is established in the enterprise, they will be able to adapt more easily to the ISO 45001 standard. This standard allows only one person to be held responsible for occupational health and safety issues, particularly in small enterprises.

The OHSAS 18001 standard consists of the 4 main title and the ISO 45001 standard consists of the 10 main title. The objective of the OHSAS 18001 standard is to control and improve the performance of occupational health and safety risks of enterprises. The objective of the ISO 45001 standard is to enable the enterprise to take precautionary measures and to improve occupational health and safety performance by preventing disability and disease.

The ISO 45001 standard focuses on continuous development and risk management. In addition, it includes principles related to subcontractors, suppliers and contractors. In addition, performance evaluations are prioritized. Occupational health performance of the enterprise will be taken into consideration in strategic planning. Employees at all levels will be supported to participate in the system.

When the ISO 45001 standard is published, the OHSAS 18001 standard will be abolished and the ISO 45001 standard will be implemented as the Occupational Health and Safety Management System standard. However, a transition process will be implemented for the enterprises that have obtained OHSAS 18001 certificate. In this process, enterprises will need to contact the certification body from which they have obtained the OHSAS certificate.