ISO 45001

ISO 45001 maintains that the best way to improve safety performance is to eliminate hazards, reduce the associated risks, and adopt a mindset of continual improvement. Success depends on the ability to easily conduct inspections, task risk assessments (TRAs), job safety analyses (JSA), and report hazard observations with employee participation.

The standard defines an “incident” as “an occurrence arising out of, or in the course of, work that could or does result in injury and ill health,” Regulatory requirements such as OSHA’s Recordkeeping Standard or Reporting of Injuries, Diseases, and Dangerous Occurrences Regulations (RIDDOR) for recording and in some cases, reporting, certain incidents resulting in occupational injuries or illnesses. A single system that allows users to capture incidents from anywhere, including through mobile devices, can help give you the accessibility you need for a robust incident management system that meets regulatory requirements, but more importantly, provides intelligent insights into incident patterns so you can prevent future injuries and illnesses from occurring.

Many of the things you do as an EHS professional create the need for further actions – for example, when you conduct an incident investigation, you need to address the identified root causes of the incident. Section 6.1 of ISO 45001 lays out expectations for “actions to address risks and opportunities,” including inclusion of relevant stakeholders in the process. Managing actions without the benefit of modern safety software can make it difficult to funnel all your actions into one place, prioritize your actions, and share progress on closing out actions with stakeholders.

The developers of ISO 45001 know that companies need frequent and active engagement with their emergency plans to ensure their effectiveness. According to ISO 45001, effective emergency planning requires communication of relevant information with relevant parties, including the local fire department, who need to have accurate and complete information about chemicals stored at your establishment. Since most workplaces have hazardous chemicals, employers should make sure they have fast access to emergency response information such first aid, accidental release, as well as details about exposure symptoms and medical treatment.

The “Competence” (7.2), “Awareness” (7.3) and “Communication” (7.4) sections of ISO 45001 address training management. Notably, the Standard specifically states that employers must ensure worker competence, including the ability to identify hazards, and that employees must be made aware of the OH&S policy and its objectives. They must also understand the hazards associated with their job tasks, and their own roles in the safety management system. Moreover, you need to be able to easily assign and track training to manage it effectively.