To help you decide if ISO 45001 is suitable for your business, as well as prepare for the first stages of the audit, here are some FAQs surrounding ISO 45001 certification:

What is ISO 45001?
Who needs ISO 45001 certification?
What are the benefits of ISO 45001?
How long does it take to get ISO 45001 certified?
Do you need ISO 45001 training?
How do you choose ISO 45001 consultants?
What’s the difference between ISO 45001 and BS OHSAS 18001?
Can you migrate to ISO 45001?
What are your health and safety responsibilities as an employer?
Do construction businesses need ISO 45001?

What is ISO 45001?

ISO 45001 is the new international standard for occupational health and safety designed to help organisations worldwide reduce workplace injuries and illnesses. It provides a useful framework for employers looking to manage health and safety responsibilities more effectively by providing governmental agencies, industry leaders and other affected stakeholders with usable guidance.

Who needs ISO 45001 certification?

All organisations can benefit from ISO 45001 certification as it can be applied to businesses with different systematic complexities. From small companies with low-risk operations to large companies with high-risk thresholds, it is a universal standard that specifically concerns occupational health and safety by addressing and controlling risks.

What are the benefits of ISO 45001?

As an employer, you need to assess whether or not ISO 45001 is a worthwhile investment for your business. There are many benefits, that ensures your organisation has a management system in place which reduces occupational health and safety risks. For a comprehensive look at the 10 fantastic benefits of ISO 45001, take a look at this blog: https://www.imsm.com/gb/news/10-benefits-of-iso-45001-business/

How long does it take to get ISO 45001 certified?

Organisations who are already certified with OHSAS 18001 will have three years to migrate to ISO 45001. For others, time frames cannot be measured exactly without consultation with IMSM, as there are a number of mitigating factors to consider, such as the need for training, company size and field of work. Contact IMSM for a free consultation today

Do you need ISO 45001 training?

As part of your certification, you can be trained by an external auditor who will help you to improve occupational health and safety management in your workplace: here are eight more ways to do so. However, if you wish to perform your audit internally, you will need to invest in professional training.

How do you choose ISO 45001 consultants?

When selecting an ISO 45001 consultant, someone professional and experienced is desirable. Assessing consultants can be a difficult process, but to help you make an informed decision, follow this link for 16 questions you should ask your prospective consultants

https://www.imsm.com/gb/news/10-benefits-of-iso-45001-business/

What’s the difference between ISO 45001 and BS OHSAS 18001?

The main difference is that ISO 45001 is an internationally recognised standard whereas BS OHSAS 18001 is a British Standard. While BS OHSAS 18001 has the same intentions as ISO 45001 in its aim to improve health and safety, it was last updated in 2007 and an update was well overdue. ISO 45001 was published in March 2018 and takes into account advances in business, technology and quality management systems.

Can you migrate to ISO 45001?

ISO 45001 supersedes the British standard BS OHSAS 18001. If your business has been BS OHSAS 18001 certified, you will have a significant head start but it’s important to note that you have 3 years to make the transition, so plan this into your strategy sooner rather than later.

Furthermore, if you are already ISO 9001 or 14001 certified, migration will be much simpler as these certifications use the same structure.

What are your health and safety responsibilities as an employer?

As a business owner, it is primarily your responsibility to maintain health and safety standards, however, every member of staff is responsible for complying with these standards. An employer’s five main responsibilities are to:

• Perform risk assessments and the documentation and implementation of health and safety processes
• Oversee all processes
• Update policies in line with government changes
• Train staff and manage records
• Appoint a health and safety officer

Do construction businesses need ISO 45001?

It is vital that construction businesses prioritise health and safety and ISO 45001 helps you to do just this. The certification process will ensure your organisation is compliant with the law, minimise risks and create a more efficient working environment.