ISO 45001 is a worldwide standard for the guidelines businesses follow when it comes to occupational health and safety management systems (OHSMS). It helps organisations to proactively identify and manage occupational health and safety risks, improve employee safety, reduce workplace accidents and illnesses, and demonstrate their commitment to a safe and healthy work environment.
This certification is highly regarded by businesses and customers alike, as it demonstrates a company’s commitment to maintaining high safety standards. In Australia, many businesses are keen to achieve ISO 45001 certification to improve their safety performance, as well as enhance their reputation and credibility in the market. To that end, how do you acquire one?
Step 1: Understand the Requirements of ISO 45001
First and foremost, it is crucial to understand the requirements of the ISO 45001 standard. The standard specifies a framework for an OHSMS and outlines the elements required to achieve the certification. These elements include:
- Establishing an occupational health and safety policy
- Identifying the legal and other requirements applicable to your business
- Identifying hazards and assessing risks
- Developing objectives and plans to address identified risks
- Implementing the necessary operational controls
- Establishing emergency preparedness and response procedures
- Developing a process for monitoring, measuring, and analysing performance
- Conducting internal audits and management reviews
- Continually improving the OHSMS
Step 2: Perform a Gap Analysis
Before implementing the necessary changes to achieve ISO 45001 certification, it is essential to perform a gap analysis. This analysis will help you identify the areas where your current OHSMS falls short of the standard’s requirements. A thorough gap analysis will provide you with a clear roadmap for implementing the necessary improvements to your system.
Step 3: Develop an Implementation Plan
Once you have identified the gaps in your current OHSMS, you should develop an implementation plan to address these gaps and meet the requirements of ISO 45001. This plan should include realistic timelines and assign responsibilities to specific team members.
Don’t forget, employees should be aware of the plan and understand their roles in the implementation process.
Step 4: Provide Training and Awareness
To successfully implement an OHSMS that meets the requirements of ISO 45001, it is crucial to provide appropriate training and awareness to all employees. This training should cover the requirements of the standard, the benefits of achieving certification, and the roles and responsibilities of employees in maintaining a safe and healthy work environment.
Providing ongoing training and awareness programs will help ensure that your employees remain committed to maintaining a strong OHSMS.
Step 5: Implement the Required Changes
Once your implementation plan is in place and your employees are trained, you should begin implementing the necessary changes to your OHSMS. This may involve updating policies and procedures, developing new objectives and plans, and implementing additional operational controls.
Be sure to continually monitor and measure the effectiveness of these changes to ensure that they achieve the desired results.
Step 6: Conduct Internal Audits and Management Reviews
As part of the ISO 45001 certification process, you will need to conduct internal audits and management reviews to ensure that your OHSMS is functioning effectively. Internal audits allow you to identify areas for improvement and ensure that your OHSMS complies with the standard’s requirements.
Management reviews provide an opportunity for senior management to evaluate the effectiveness of the OHSMS and identify any necessary changes or improvements.
Step 7: Engage a Certification Body
Once you are confident that your OHSMS meets the requirements of ISO 45001, you should engage a certification body to conduct an external audit. This audit will validate your compliance with the standard and, if successful, will award you with an ISO 45001 certification.
Of course, it’s also important to choose a reputable certification body accredited by the Joint Accreditation System of Australia and New Zealand (JAS-ANZ) to ensure your certification is widely recognised and respected.
The Bottom Line
Achieving ISO 45001 certification in Australia is a significant accomplishment for any business and demonstrates a commitment to maintaining a safe and healthy work environment.
By following the steps outlined in this guide and engaging a reputable certification body, your organisation can successfully navigate the certification process and enjoy the benefits of improved safety performance, enhanced reputation, and increased customer confidence.
At Edara Systems Australia, we’re committed to providing our clients with the best possible service. We understand the importance of having a safe and healthy workplace, and we’ll do everything we can to help you get the ISO 45001 certification you need. Contact us today to learn more about how we can help you get certified!
Users Comments