The ISO 18001 standard, which will soon replace the OHSAS 45001 standard, is a new standard that, in its overall structure, provides a holistic view to businesses aimed at improving occupational health and safety of employees and reducing occupational accidents and occupational diseases.
The issue of occupational health and safety is still a global concern. Occupational accidents and occupational diseases are different between businesses, even between different locations within a business. Nonetheless, the ISO 45001 standard is a standard that can be applied by enterprises from all sectors, regardless of whether the business is small or large, or whether it is international or regional.
In addition, the ISO 45001 standard is also important for minimizing occupational health and safety risks, and even eliminating these risks, securing the company's reputation, demonstrating corporate responsibility and keeping the motivation of employees who are the most valuable assets for the business.
National or international published regulations set out a number of legal obligations for businesses to manage the risks they face. However, in order to comply with these legal regulations and fulfill their obligations, enterprises must establish occupational health and safety policies. ISO 45001 standard is important here.
Businesses that establish and implement the ISO 45001 Occupational Health and Safety Management System within their bodies will apply to a certification body and request an ISO 45001 certificate. This document proves that the entity complies with the relevant legal obligations and operates within the framework of the relevant standard principles.
Today, businesses are still requesting and using the OHSAS 18001 certificate, but when the ISO 45001 standard is issued, the OHSAS 18001 standard will disappear and the OHSAS 18001 certificate will be invalid after a while. When the ISO 45001 standard is published, transitional applications will also become clear.
However, in order for the enterprises to have ISO 45001 certificate and to operate the system correctly, not only the occupational health and safety system has been established, but also other systems such as ISO 9001 Quality Management System and ISO 14001 Environmental Management System need to be operated effectively.