ISO 45001:2018 – Occupational Health and Safety Management Systems (OHSMS)

Clause-wise Structure of ISO 45001:2018

ISO 45001 follows the High-Level Structure (HLS), making it easier to integrate with other systems like ISO 9001 and ISO 14001. Below is a clause-by-clause overview of the standard:

How to Implement ISO 45001 in Your Organization?

Implementing ISO 45001, is a proven tool to increase workplace safety and regulatory compliance:

1. Learn ISO 45001 clauses, principles, and structure.
2. Ensure top management leads and supports the process.
3. Compare current practices with ISO 45001 requirements.
4. List all applicable OH&S laws and compliance obligations.
5. Set system boundaries and draft your safety policy.
6. Assess and control workplace health and safety risks.
7. Align goals with your policy and risk profile.
8. Assign tasks, set timelines, and allocate resources.
9. Involve staff in hazard identification and safety improvements.
10. Educate employees on roles, responsibilities, and safety practices.
11. Maintain procedures, risk registers, and compliance records.
12. Use internal audits and KPIs to track performance.
13. Conduct management reviews and implement corrective actions.

Tip: “Start with a gap analysis to compare your current health and safety practices against ISO 45001:2018 requirements, this helps you to prioritize actions, assign responsibilities, and avoid unnecessary delays during implementation.”

Audit checklist for ISO 45001:2018

The ISO 45001:2018 audit checklist below covers each clause of ISO 45001 and provides criteria that help to verify documentation and implementation:

• Has the organization defined the scope and context of its OHSMS, including internal and external issues?
• Is there clear leadership commitment and a written OH&S policy aligned with the company’s strategic goals?
• Are roles, responsibilities, and authorities defined and communicated throughout the organization?
• Does the organization identify and assess OH&S risks and opportunities using a structured methodology?
• Are workers and their representatives involved in consultations and decision-making regarding safety?
• Are documented objectives established for OH&S and are they monitored for performance?
• Has the organization identified applicable legal and other requirements and is compliance tracked effectively?
• Are operational controls implemented to eliminate hazards and reduce OH&S risks consistently?
• Are emergency preparedness and response plans documented, tested, and updated based on real scenarios?
• Is there evidence of ongoing performance evaluation, including audits, monitoring, and measurement?
• Are incidents, nonconformities, and corrective actions recorded and analyzed for continual improvement?
• Does top management conduct regular management reviews to assess OHSMS effectiveness and outcomes?
• Is all documentation controlled and accessible to relevant employees and stakeholders as needed?

Tip: Involve your workers and show real-life safety practices, auditors value action over paperwork.

For audit support and ISO 45001 certification, contact support@pacificcert.com.

ISO 45001 Certification Process

The ISO 45001 certification process involves a structured audit by an accredited certification body to verify that your system meets all standard requirements. Below are the steps:

1. Organization submits a formal request for ISO 45001 certification with scope and details.
2. Certification body reviews application, defines audit scope, and prepares an audit plan.
3. Stage 1 Audit: Evaluation of documented OH&S policies, legal compliance, and system readiness.
4. Stage 2 Audit (On-Site or Online): Online or on-site audit to verify implementation, staff awareness, and process control.
5. If nonconformities are identified, the organization implements corrective actions.
6. ISO 45001:2018 certificate is issued, valid for 3 years with annual surveillance audits.

Tip: “Plan ahead for both stages of the audit, and ensure your team is fully prepared to demonstrate compliance during on-site or remote audits.”

What are the benefits of ISO 45001:2018 Certification?

ISO 45001 certification offers a wide range of benefits to organizations committed to creating a safe and legally compliant work environment. Below are the common benefits:

• Reduces workplace injuries and illnesses by identifying hazards and implementing preventive controls across all operations.
• Improves legal and regulatory compliance, helping organizations stay aligned with national and international OH&S laws.
• Enhances employee morale and retention through safer working conditions, involvement, and a strong safety culture.
• Boosts organizational reputation and credibility with customers, regulators, and supply chain partners.
• Supports risk-based decision-making by integrating safety into strategic planning and operational controls.
• Drives continual improvement in health and safety performance through audits, reviews, and employee feedback.
• Lowers insurance premiums and operational costs due to fewer incidents, claims, and associated disruptions.
• Facilitates global market access and business opportunities, as ISO 45001 is recognized and respected worldwide.
• Aligns easily with other ISO standards like ISO 9001 and ISO 14001 for a unified management system approach.
• Demonstrates leadership commitment to safety, reinforcing trust among stakeholders and driving cultural change.

ISO 45001 has been adopted as a national standard by numerous countries, including India, the United States, the United Kingdom among others, for reflecting its global acceptance and applicability. The standard is based on conventions and guidelines of the International Labour Organization (ILO), and national standards, ensuring its alignment with globally recognized occupational health and safety practices.

Moreover, the global ISO 45001 certification demand is experiencing significant growth, projected to expand to USD 57.48 billion by 2033, with a CAGR of about 15.2%.

“In today’s risk-conscious business environment, ISO 45001 is not just a safety standard, it’s a necessity for resilience and workforce trust.”

If your organization is looking to get certified for ISO 45001, contact us at support@pacificcert.com.

What is the ISO 45001 Certification timeline?

The certification process spans 20 to 22 weeks, starting from initial planning to certification issuance. Below is the table with phases:

What is the cost of ISO 45001:2018 certification

The cost of ISO 45001 certification varies, depending on several factors specific to each organization, depends on the number of employees, the number of sites, the industry’s risk level, and the current state of the organization’s health and safety practices.

Tip: Be audit-ready, organize your documents, train your team, and fix gaps early to reduce audit time and avoid extra charges.

For a personalized quotation for the certification process, contact us at support@pacificcert.com.

Why ISO 45001:2018 is important and who needs it?

Organizations certified to ISO 45001 have shown measurable improvements in safety performance. A study analyzing ESG data from 100 large global organizations found that certified companies reported significantly lower Total Recordable Incident Frequency Rates (TRIFR) and Lost Time Injury Frequency Rates (LTIFR) compared to non-certified ones.

Since its launch in 2018, nearly 300,000 organizations across more than 160 countries have adopted ISO 45001, covering close to 400,000 workplaces. Its relevance spans high-risk sectors from manufacturing, construction, mining, oil & gas, chemicals, logistics to energy, where workplace hazards are prevalent and legal obligations are stringent.

However, its structured and preventive approach is equally valuable for low-risk sectors as well, were employee well-being and compliance matter greatly. The standard also improves an organization’s standing in tendering, vendor selection and regulatory assessments,

“When you protect your people, you protect your business”, ISO 45001 embodies this philosophy by placing safety at the heart of sustainable performance.

How Pacific Certifications Can Help?

Pacific Certifications is an accredited certification body; we provide independent and internationally recognized certification services. Our role is to conduct the audit and certify your organization in accordance with ISO 45001, ensuring that it meets all standard requirements, maintaining complete impartiality and integrity in the certification process.

Our Services Include:

• Stage 1 Audit: Assessment of your documented procedures, policies, and readiness for certification.
• Stage 2 Audit: Detailed evaluation of implementation, employee awareness, risk controls, and legal compliance.
• Combined audits with other standards to reduce time and costs.
• Audits for organizations operating across multiple locations.
• Surveillance audits
• Recertification

With industry-experienced auditors and a transparent process, we ensure that your certification journey is smooth and aligned. To get started, contact us at support@pacificcert.com!