The International Labour Organization (ILO) estimates that every year, around 2.3 million workers around the world die from work-related accidents. According to ILO, every year, worldwide, there are around 340 million occupational accidents and around 160 million are victims of work-related illnesses. While in the past decades, great efforts were made to improve the health and safety of workers, there is still a lot that must be done. To tackle the issues related to the health and safety of workers, ISO has developed ISO 45001, an international standard that defines the requirements for an occupational health and safety management system (OH&S MS).
What is ISO 45001?
Based on the British standard OHSAS 18001 and other international guidelines on occupational health and safety, ISO 45001 Occupational Health and Safety MS specifies the requirements for an OH&S MS. By establishing an effective OH&S MS based on this standard, organizations provide safer and healthier work environments.
ISO 45001 is applicable to organizations of all sizes and industries that seek to prevent work-related injuries, diseases, and deaths and promote the establishment of safe working environments and the continual improvement of occupational health and safety performance.
ISO 45001 shares the High-Level Structure (HLS) similar to other ISO management system standards like ISO 9001 for quality management and ISO 14001 for environmental management which allows organizations to easily integrate two or more management systems. Since its publication in 2018, ISO 45001 replaced the British standard OHSAS 18001.
Why is OH&S MS important for you?
Due to the high number of occupational accidents and deaths, better and more effective practices which guarantee the health and safety of workers in the workplace are a necessity. To mitigate the risk and hazards in the workplace, organizations must prioritize the health and safety of their employees.
Organizations and individuals operating in any industry must collaborate to achieve the same goal, which is to reduce as much as possible the number of accidents that lead to injury or health-related issues.
Attending a PECB ISO 45001 training course, be it Foundation, Lead Auditor, or Lead Implementer, will enable you to comprehend internationally recognized practices that are intended to improve the working conditions and guarantee the well-being of employees. Furthermore, you will earn a globally recognized certificate in occupational health and safety management, which will demonstrate that you are capable to understand, implement or audit health and safety policies, controls, and processes to reduce work-related injuries.
Why set guidelines and procedures for OH&S?
There is no doubt that poor occupational health and safety practices bring enormous emotional distress, human costs, and economic burdens. Therefore, organizations should employ a systematic approach to OH&S management.
Health and safety guidelines and procedures will help organizations to:
- Prevent illnesses and injuries in the workplace: OH&S guidelines and procedures aim to promote health and safety in the workplace and protect workers from risks and hazards related to their health, safety, and well-being. The implementation of such guidelines and procedures contributes to the reduction of work-related illnesses and injuries.
- Reduce health and safety hazards and risks: Organizations use different equipment and tools to do their work. As such, proper usage and personal care when working with organizational equipment are essential. Detailed guidelines and concise procedures for equipment use will enable organizations to reduce health and safety hazards and risks in the workplace.
- Prevent unwanted consequences: Well-constructed guidelines and procedures will help both workers and organizations to prevent the negative consequences of health and safety risks and hazards
Benefits of ISO 45001 Occupational Health and Safety Management
An effective OH&S MS based on ISO 45001 has the potential to shape and improve an organization’s way of working and can make the workplace a safer and better place.
Some of the benefits that organizations would gain by implementing an OH&S MS based on ISO 45001 include, but are not limited to:
- Enhanced reputation among internationally recognized businesses as a result of implementing the best practices of occupational health and safety
- The increased trust of employees by demonstrating that the organization is committed to improving their safety and health in the workplace
- Reduced insurance premiums and claims
- Increased return on investment due to improved staff productivity, while the injuries within the workplace will be reduced
- Reduced employee turnover because the main focus will be on the mental and physical well-being of the employees
How do I get started with ISO 45001 Training?
Seize the opportunity to become certified with PECB’s ISO 45001 training courses now, and we will make sure that our experts assist you throughout the entire process in order to offer you a worthwhile experience and welcome you to our global network.
PECB Certified ISO 45001 training courses available
Develop your professional career in occupational health and safety management by participating in our ISO 45001 training courses. Check the training courses below and find the one that suits you best.
