ISO 45001 vs OHSAS 18001 - Key Differences

If you are interested in improving your organisation's Occupational Health and Safety (OH&S) performance, you might be wondering about the differences between ISO 45001 vs OHSAS 18001. These are two standards for OH&S management systems that have different scopes, structures, and requirements. 

In this blog, we will explain the main differences between ISO 45001 vs OHSAS 18001, and how they can affect your organisation's OH&S management. We will also provide some additional information that can help you understand and implement these standards. Read on to learn more about ISO 45001 vs OHSAS 18001.

Table of Contents

1) What is OHSAS 18001?

2) What is ISO 45001?

3) Differences between OHSAS 18001 and ISO 45001

4) Analysing statistical data on occupational accidents and illnesses

5) Conclusion

What is OHSAS 18001?  

OHSAS 18001, or the Occupational Health and Safety Assessment Series, was a widely recognised international standard for Occupational Health and Safety (OH&S) management systems. It provided organisations a framework to identify, assess, and control OH&S risks, promoting a safe and healthy work environment. 

Developed in 1999, OHSAS 18001 aimed to enhance workplace safety and compliance by establishing clear policies, procedures, and objectives related to OH&S management. The standard outlined requirements for hazard identification, risk assessment, incident investigation, and employee training, among other vital elements. 

Organisations that implemented OHSAS 18001 demonstrated a commitment to prioritising employee health and safety, reducing workplace accidents and injuries, and complying with relevant OH&S regulations and legislation. While OHSAS 18001 served as a valuable tool for improving OH&S performance, it was replaced by ISO 45001 in 2018, offering a more comprehensive and globally recognised framework for managing occupational health and safety.

Benefits of OHSAS 18001

OHSAS 18001 helped organisations improve their safety performance and prevent work-related injuries and illnesses. Some of the benefits of OHSAS 18001 are:

a) It helped you comply with legal and regulatory requirements and demonstrate your social responsibility and commitment to safety.

b) It helped you identify and control the hazards and risks in your workplace and implement preventive and corrective measures to reduce accidents and incidents.

c) It helped you improve your workers' and other stakeholders' involvement and engagement in your safety management and foster a culture of trust and collaboration.

d) It helped you increase productivity and efficiency and reduce costs and losses due to downtime, absenteeism, compensation, and litigation.

e) It helped you enhance your reputation and credibility and gain a competitive advantage in the market.



 

What is ISO 45001? 

The goal of the ISO 45001 standard is to reduce work-related injuries and diseases. It aims to promote and protect the health of the employees, particularly mental health. It was introduced in March 2018 and has replaced the OHSAS 18001 standards. 

ISO 45001 is based on existing ISO management standards and is the first global standard for occupational health and safety management systems (such as ISO 9001 – Quality Management and ISO 14001 – Environmental Management). Additionally, it is established based on other safety and health standards, including OHSAS 18001, ILO guidelines, and labour laws and treaties.  

The simple PDCA model used by ISO 45001 provides businesses with a framework for organising the measures to reduce the risks related to health and safety. The standards structure is broken down into chapters and sections using the ISO High-Level Structure, also known as Annex SL. 

Here is the list of clauses for ISO 45001 standards that can give you a gist of the information as to what kind of requirements they consider. 

Clause 4: Context of the Organisation 

Clause 5: Leadership 

Clause 6: Planning 

Clause 7: Support 

Clause 8: Operation 

Clause 9: Performance Evaluation 

Clause 10: Improvement 

Benefits of ISO 45001

ISO 45001 can help organisations improve their safety performance and prevent work-related injuries and illnesses. Some of the benefits of ISO 45001 are:

a) It can help you comply with legal and regulatory requirements and demonstrate your social responsibility and commitment to safety.

b) It can help you identify and control the hazards and risks in your workplace and implement preventive and corrective measures to reduce accidents and incidents.

c) It can help you improve your workers' and other stakeholders' involvement and engagement in your safety management and foster a culture of trust and collaboration.

d) It can help you increase productivity and efficiency and reduce costs and losses due to downtime, absenteeism, compensation, and litigation. 

e) It can help you enhance your reputation and credibility and gain a competitive advantage in the market.

Differences between OHSAS 18001 and ISO 45001

While both OHSAS 18001 and ISO 45001 aim to improve OH&S performance, they differ significantly in their approach, scope, and requirements. Let us delve into the distinctions between OHSAS 18001 and ISO 45001, offering an in-depth exploration of their respective features, benefits, and adoption considerations.

Reactive vs. proactive approach 

OHSAS 18001 traditionally took a reactive approach, primarily focusing on identifying risks within the workplace and implementing controls to mitigate them. While hazard identification and risk assessment were integral components, the standard often lacked emphasis on proactive measures to address underlying issues and prevent incidents from occurring.

In contrast, ISO 45001 adopts a proactive approach, recognising that effective OH&S management requires considering risks and opportunities. It emphasises identifying hazards, evaluating associated risks, and implementing preventive measures to minimise the likelihood of accidents and injuries. By focusing on prevention rather than reaction, ISO 45001 aims to create a safer and healthier work environment for all employees.

Defunct vs. existing standard

OHSAS 18001 is a defunct British occupational health and safety management system standard. While it provided organisations with a structured framework for managing OH&S risks, it is no longer maintained or updated, and certification to this standard is no longer available.

ISO 45001, on the other hand, is an existing ISO Standard that specifies the requirements for establishing, implementing, maintaining, and continually improving an effective OH&S management system. Published in 2018, ISO 45001 replaced OHSAS 18001 and represents the latest international consensus on OH&S management best practices. Organisations seeking certification to ISO 45001 must adhere to its requirements and undergo independent audits by accredited certification bodies.

Procedure-based vs. Process-based approach

OHSAS 18001 was built on a procedure-based approach, focusing on documenting specific procedures and controls for managing OH&S risks. It relied on establishing documented policies, procedures, and work instructions to ensure compliance with OH&S requirements.

In contrast, ISO 45001 adopts a process-based approach, emphasising the interaction of processes within the OH&S management system and their effectiveness in achieving desired outcomes. The standard encourages organisations to identify critical processes, define their inputs, outputs, and interactions, and monitor their performance to ensure continual improvement. By focusing on processes rather than procedures, ISO 45001 allows for greater flexibility and adaptability in addressing OH&S risks.

Delegation vs. Involvement of Management

OHSAS 18001 allowed senior management to delegate occupational health and safety responsibility to a designated representative or OH&S management team. While senior management was required to demonstrate commitment to OH&S, the day-to-day operations and decision-making were often delegated to lower levels of the organisation.

ISO 45001 places a stronger emphasis on the involvement of top management in OH&S management. It requires senior management to actively participate in developing, implementing, and reviewing the OH&S management system, ensuring that OH&S objectives are aligned with the organisation's strategic goals. Additionally, ISO 45001 encourages worker involvement in OH&S decision-making, empowering employees to contribute to identifying and controlling hazards in their workplace.

Hazard control vs. Risk evaluation and prevention

OHSAS 18001 was primarily concerned with hazard control, aiming to identify hazards within the workplace and implement controls to minimise associated risks. While hazard identification and risk assessment were integral components, the emphasis was often on reactive measures to address immediate safety concerns.

ISO 45001 emphasises risk evaluation, hazard reduction, and incident prevention. It requires organisations to systematically identify hazards, assess associated risks, and implement controls to eliminate or minimise OH&S risks. By taking a proactive approach to risk management, ISO 45001 aims to prevent incidents and injuries before they occur, creating a safer and healthier work environment for all employees.
 

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Analysing statistical data on occupational accidents and illnesses

According to (International Labor Organization) ILO estimates, 2.3 million men and women succumb to work-related accidents annually - equivalent to over 6000 deaths daily. Annually we witness around 340 million occupational accidents and 160 million victims suffering from work-related illness globally.

As per the latest statistical data on occupational accidents and diseases worldwide, here is some of the discovery ILO has made. 

1) Individuals whose diseases are related to work are more likely to face death among workers. 

2) Notably, younger and older workers are vulnerable to accidents. Meaning - that developed countries are affected by the ageing population and need to find countermeasures to prevent these future accidents.  

3) As per an estimate, the hazardous substances alone are responsible for 651,279 deaths annually.  

4) The construction industry has a high rate of recorded fatal accidents and needs special consideration. 

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Conclusion

Hopefully, this blog helped you understand key distinctions in the ISO 45001 vs OHSAS 18001 debate. The transition from OHSAS 18001 to ISO 45001 marks a significant shift in occupational health and safety management. While OHSAS 18001 focused on hazard control through a reactive approach, ISO 45001 adopts a proactive stance, emphasising risk prevention, management involvement, and process-based strategies to create safer workplaces.

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