Is ISO 45001 a Legal Requirement?

ISO 45001 is a standard designed to improve employee safety, reduce workplace risks, and enhance working conditions, aligning with legal obligations. While not mandatory, organisations seeking international operations or compliance with global health and safety standards benefit from the certification. Notably, for the metalworking and shipyard industry, SAC-accredited ISO 45001 certificates meet legal SHMS Audit requirements, provided they are issued by SAC-accredited Certification Bodies and audited by MOM-approved WSH Auditors.

Benefits of Implementing ISO 45001 in an Organisation

Being a globally recognised standard for transitioning to an effective occupational health and safety management system, implementing ISO 45001 offers several significant benefits. 

Firstly, ISO 45001 seamlessly integrates with existing ISO management systems, such as ISO 9001 Quality Management and ISO 14001 Environmental Management, making implementation easier and more efficient.

Another key advantage of ISO 45001 is that it ensures safety starts from the top. The standard mandates active involvement and accountability of top management in promoting workplace safety. This means that leaders will have to communicate occupational health and safety issues throughout the organisation and take responsibility for preventing work-related injuries and illnesses, creating a safe and secure environment within its premises. After all, achieving ISO 45001 certification signifies an organisation's adherence to the standard's requirements and its unwavering commitment to preventing workplace accidents, illnesses, and fatalities. 

ISO 45001 also promotes a strong culture of safety from the ground up. It encourages every employee to take ownership of their own safety at work. As a result of this, employees will have opportunities to provide valuable feedback on safety improvement while management ensures they have the necessary resources, training, and time to participate. 

How Are ISO 45001 Audits Conducted

The ISO 45001 certification process involves several audits to assess an organisation's compliance with occupational health and safety management system requirements.

The initial external or registration audit determines if an organisation qualifies for ISO 45001 certification. It consists of two stages, with an optional pre-assessment that helps identify strengths and weaknesses.

The next stage, the Readiness Review, evaluates readiness for the subsequent audit. It assesses the organisation's management system documentation, processes, and compliance with statutory and regulatory requirements. This step of the audit is conducted on-site or remotely and provides insights for planning the Stage 2 audit.

The Stage 2 audit is the final stage before certification. It thoroughly examines the organisation's management system, operational controls, and performance against objectives.

After successfully completing the Stage 2 audit, organisations receive ISO 45001 certification. However, ongoing compliance is monitored through annual surveillance audits. These audits assess the management system's effectiveness, address nonconformities, and ensure continual improvement.

In the third year of certification, a recertification audit is conducted to verify continued compliance and assess the effectiveness of the occupational health and safety management system.

Organisations must address any non-conformities identified by auditors throughout the audit process and implement corrective actions within specified timeframes. Failure to do so may result in the withdrawal of certification.