How to Become ISO 45001 Certified? A Complete Guide

In today's world, where workplace safety is of utmost importance, organisations strive to ensure the well-being of their employees and create a secure working environment. One effective way to demonstrate commitment to health and safety is by obtaining ISO 45001 certification. But, How to Become ISO 45001 Certification? And why is it so important?   

According to Health and Safety at Work report by HSE, 372,000 workers in the UK are suffering from a new case of workplace-related stress, and 565,000 sustained a non-fatal injury at the workplace. By implementing this standard, organisations can reduce such incidents. In this blog, we will explore what ISO 45001 is, learn How to Become ISO 45001 Certified in 2024 and learn the benefits of getting ISO 45001 Certified.     

Table of Contents  

1) What is ISO 45001?  

2) Steps to get ISO 45001 Certified 

3) ISO 45001 Requirements: Brief Overview 

4) Benefits of ISO 45001 Certification  

5) Conclusion  

What is ISO 45001?  

ISO 45001 is an internationally recognised standard developed by the International Organization for Standardization (ISO). It provides a framework for organisations to establish, implement, maintain, and continually improve an Occupational Health and Safety Management System (OH&SMS).    

This standard emphasises a proactive approach to identifying and controlling hazards, enhancing worker safety, and reducing occupational risks. The primary purpose of ISO 45001 is to help organisations create a safe and healthy working environment for their employees, contractors, and other stakeholders.   

By implementing this standard, organisations can systematically identify and address occupational health and safety risks, prevent workplace accidents and injuries, and promote a health and safety culture.



 

Steps to get ISO 45001 Certified  

Achieving ISO 45001 Certification requires a systematic approach and a commitment to implementing and maintaining an effective Occupational Health (OH&S) and Safety Management System.. Here are the key steps involved in the certification process.

Familiarise Yourself With ISO 45001  

The first step is obtaining a copy of the ISO 45001 standard and familiarising yourself with its requirements. Understand the scope of the standard and its relevance to your organisation's industry and activities. This will help you develop a clear understanding of the expectations and obligations involved in the certification process.   

Conduct a Gap Analysis  

Perform a thorough Gap Analysis to assess your current OH&SMS against the requirements outlined in ISO 45001. Identify areas where your existing practices fall short and determine the necessary improvements to meet the standard's criteria. This analysis will help you establish a roadmap for the certification journey.   

Develop an Implementation Plan  

Based on the gap analysis, develop a comprehensive implementation plan. This plan should outline the actions, resources, and timelines required to address the identified gaps and implement the necessary changes. Engage key stakeholders, such as senior management and employees, to ensure their involvement and commitment.   

Establish OH&S Policies and Objectives  

Develop and document your organisation's occupational health and safety policies, reflecting the commitment to meet ISO 45001 Requirements. Set clear and measurable objectives that align with your overall business goals and ensure they are communicated effectively throughout the organisation.  

Implement the OH&S Management System  

Implement the necessary processes and procedures to meet the requirements of ISO 45001. This includes establishing hazard identification and risk assessment mechanisms, defining controls and measures to mitigate risks, ensuring effective communication and consultation channels, and implementing processes for incident reporting, investigation, and corrective actions.  

Provide Training and Awareness  

Ensure that the employees at all levels receive appropriate training and awareness programs related to occupational health and safety. This includes training on hazard identification, emergency response procedures, safe work practices, and the importance of adhering to the OH&S management system. 

Conduct Internal Audits  

Regularly conduct Internal Audits to assess the effectiveness and conformity of your OH&SMS with ISO 45001 requirements. Internal audits help identify areas for improvement and ensure that your system is functioning as intended. 

Learn how to conduct internal audits and assess the compliance with ISO 45001 with ISO 45001 Internal Auditor Training. 

Management Review  

Hold periodic management reviews to evaluate the performance of your OH&SMS. These reviews provide an opportunity to assess the effectiveness of controls, review objectives, and identify opportunities for improvement. They also demonstrate top management's commitment to maintaining a robust OH&SMS.   

Select a Certification Body  

Choose a reputable certification body accredited with ISO 45001. Discuss with potential certification bodies to understand their processes, requirements, and timelines. Select a certification body that aligns with your organisation's needs and values.  

Certification Audit  

Undergo a certification audit conducted by the chosen certification body. The audit consists of a two-stage process:   

a) Stage 1 involves a documentation review and initial assessment of your OH&S MS  

b) Stage 2 includes a thorough on-site audit to evaluate its implementation.  

If successful, the certification body will issue an ISO 45001 certificate, demonstrating your organisation's compliance with the standard.  

Continual Improvement and Re-certification  

ISO 45001 certification is not a one-time achievement. It requires an ongoing commitment to continual improvement. Regularly monitor and evaluate your OH&S management system, address non-conformities, and strive for enhanced performance and effectiveness.  

The ISO 45001 remains valid for three years, after which you need to undergo re-certification, which is usually more thorough and detailed. Re-certification is essential to stay updated with the evolving occupational health and safety domain. 

Secure your ISO 45001 Certification today and lead your organization to safer, compliant work practices. Start your certification journey now! 

ISO 45001 Requirements: Brief Overview 

Here is a brief overview of the ISO 45001 requirements (clauses). By understanding and implementing these clauses, organisations can meet the requirements of ISO 45001 and establish a robust OH&S management system. Clauses 4 to 10 detail the core requirements needed for compliance.  

1) Scope: Defines the boundaries and applicability of the Occupational Health and Safety (OH&S) Management System within the organisation.  

2) Normative References: Lists the relevant documents and standards referenced in ISO 45001.  

3) Terms and Definitions: Provides definitions for key terms used throughout the standard.  

4) Context of the Organisation: Analyses the internal and external factors influencing the OH&S MS.  

5) Leadership and Worker Participation: Emphasises the role of top management and worker involvement in health and safety management.  

6) Planning: Focuses on risk assessment, hazard identification, and risk management.  

7) Support: Covers resource allocation, competence, awareness, communication, and documentation.  

8) Operation: Addresses operational planning, emergency preparedness, and control measures.  

9) Performance Evaluation: Emphasises monitoring, measurement, analysis, and evaluation of OH&S performance.  

10) Improvement: Deals with non-conformities, corrective actions, and continual improvement of the OH&S MS  

Learn how to implement and maintain an ISO 45001 occupational health and safety management system with ISO 45001 Lead Implementer Training. 

Benefits of ISO 45001 Certification  

Here are some significant benefits of getting the ISO 45001 Certification.

a) Improved Occupational Health and Safety: ISO 45001 creates a safer working environment, reducing accidents, injuries, and illnesses.  

b) Compliance with Legal and Regulatory Requirements: It helps reduce the risk of non-compliance with legal and regulatory requirements.  

c) Enhanced Organisational reputation: Demonstrates the commitment to occupational health and safety, building trust with stakeholders and customers.  

d) Increased employee morale and Engagement: It helps involve the employees, boost morale, and increase productivity.  

e) Cost Savings: Reduces costs associated with accidents and injuries and improves operational efficiency.  

f) Competitive Advantage: It attracts clients and customers who prefer certified organisations.  

Gain a comprehensive understanding of the ISO 45001 standard with our ISO 45001 Lead Auditor Training. 

Conclusion  

Obtaining ISO 45001 Certification is a significant achievement that demonstrates an organisation's commitment to occupational health and safety. To answer How to Become ISO 45001 Certified, you can follow the given steps and implement the standard's requirements. Organisations implementing ISO 45001 can improve safety, comply with regulations, save costs