ISO 45001 Clauses: A Complete Guide

ISO 45001 is a globally recognised occupational health and safety management system standard. Published in 2018, it replaced the previous OHSAS 18001 standard. ISO 45001 Clauses provide a comprehensive framework to help organisations improve their occupational health and safety performance.    

Standards like these are vital for organisations to maintain workplace safety and health and help save costs. According to Health and Safety at Work report, the UK alone incurred a loss of £7.6 billion in 2019-20 because of workplace injuries. By implementing ISO 45001, organisations can demonstrate their commitment to the health and well-being of their workforce. This blog will explain the purpose of all ten ISO 45001 Clauses that helps organisations maintain health and safety at the workplace. 

Table of Contents  

1) What is ISO 45001?  

2) 10 Clauses of ISO 45001  

    a) Clause 1 Scope   

    b) Clause 2 Normative references   

    c) Clause 3 Terms and definitions   

    d) Clause 4 Context of the organisation   

    e) Clause 5 Leadership and worker participation

3) Conclusion

What is ISO 45001?  

ISO 45001 provides a framework for organisations to establish, implement, and maintain an effective occupational health and safety (OH&S) management system. The standard helps organisations proactively identify and manage OH&S risks, ensuring a safe and healthy working environment.   

The primary objective of ISO 45001 is to prevent work-related injuries and illnesses by encouraging a systematic approach to managing OH&S. It emphasises the importance of continual improvement, risk assessment, and compliance with legal requirements and regulations. 

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10 Clauses of ISO 45001  

ISO 45001 Clauses refer to the distinct sections within the standard that addresses a specific aspect of the OH&S management system. Each clause provides a set of requirements, guidelines, and objectives that organisations must meet to establish and maintain a healthy and safe working environment. The following is the ISO 45001 Clauses list.

Clause 1 Scope  

The scope of ISO 45001 defines the boundaries and applicability of the occupational health and safety management system within the organisation. It sets the context for implementing the standard and outlines the requirements for the system. The purpose of Clause 1 is to establish a clear framework for implementing ISO 45001 within an organisation. 

Clause 2 Normative reference  

Clause 2 of ISO 45001 outlines the normative references, which are other standards, documents, or regulations that are referenced and considered essential for implementing and maintaining the occupational health and safety management system.    

These normative references provide additional guidance and support to organisations in achieving compliance with ISO 45001 requirements. It is a valuable resource for organisations seeking to align their occupational health and safety practices with internationally recognised standards and best practices.   

Clause 3 Terms and definition  

It provides a comprehensive list of terms and definitions specific to the standard. It establishes a common understanding of the terminology used throughout the document, ensuring effective communication and interpretation of the requirements.  

It is essential for organisations implementing ISO 45001 to familiarise themselves with the terms and definitions, which makes communication easier among the organisation about the standard. 

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Clause 4 Context of the organisation  

Clause 4 of ISO 45001:2018 focuses on the organisation's context and guides how to identify and understand the internal and external factors that can impact the OH&S management system. This clause sets the foundation for developing a proactive and practical approach to managing occupational health and safety risks. Topics covered under this clause are:   

a) Understanding the organisation and its context   

b) Understanding the demands and needs of workers and other stakeholders 

c) Exploring the scope of the OH&S management system   

d) OH&S management system   

Clause 5 Leadership and worker participation  

This clause focuses on the role of leadership in establishing and maintaining an effective occupational health and safety management system. It highlights the importance of leadership commitment, accountability, and worker participation in promoting a strong safety culture within the organisation.  

It emphasises the need for strong leadership, establishing an OH&S policy, and the practical involvement of workers in decision-making processes. With this, organisations can foster a proactive and participatory approach to occupational health and safety, ensuring the well-being of all employees and workers. Topics covered under this clause are:  

a) Leadership and Commitment  

b) OH&S Policy  

c) Organisational Roles, Responsibilities, and Authorities  

d) Consultation and Participation of workers


 

Clause 6 Planning  

Clause 6 of ISO 45001 focuses on the planning process within the occupational health and safety management system (OH&SMS). It emphasises the importance of systematically identifying, assessing and addressing occupational health and safety risks and opportunities to ensure a proactive and practical approach to managing OH&S. Topics covered under this clause are:  

1) Actions to address risks and opportunities  

2) OH&S objectives and planning to achieve them  

Clause 7 Support  

Clause 7 of ISO 45001 focuses on supporting the occupational health and safety management system to ensure its effective implementation and operation. It covers various areas related to resources, competence, awareness, communication, and documented information.   

It requires organisations to allocate resources, ensure the competence of workers, raise awareness, promote effective communication, manage documented information, and control operational processes.   

The topics covered under this clause are:   

a) Resources   

b) Competence   

c) Awareness   

d) Communication   

e) Documented information   

Clause 8 Operation  

Clause 8 of ISO 45001 outlines the operational aspects of the (OH&S) management system. It guides the implementation of the necessary controls and processes to manage occupational health and safety risks, ensuring a safe and healthy work environment. By implementing this clause, organisations can ensure the safe execution of work activities and minimise risks at the workplace.   

Topics covered under this clause are:   

a) Operational planning and control   

b) Emergency preparedness and response   

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Clause 9 Performance evaluation  

Clause 9 emphasises the importance of evaluating the performance of the OH&S management system to ensure that it remains effective and helps identify areas of improvement. It guides monitoring, measuring, analysing, and evaluating OH&S performance. By implementing this clause, organisations can identify areas for improvement and take proactive actions to improve occupational health and safety.   

The topics covered under this clause are: 

a) Monitoring, measurement, analysis and performance evaluation   

b) Internal audit   

c) Management review   

Clause 10 Improvement  

Clause 10 of ISO 45001 discusses the importance of continually improving the occupational health and safety management system to enhance its effectiveness and performance. It guides on identifying areas for improvement, implementing corrective actions, and promoting a culture of continual improvement.   

By effectively implementing Clause 10, organisations can enhance their occupational health and safety performance, prevent incidents and nonconformities, and strive for ongoing improvement in the management of OH&S.   

Topics covered under this clause are:   

a) General   

b) Incident, nonconformity and corrective action   

c) Continual improvement   

Conclusion  

ISO 45001 is an internationally recognised standard that effectively helps organisations manage occupational health and safety risks. By implementing the ISO 45001 Clauses, organisations can prioritise worker safety, comply with regulations, and drive continual improvement in OH&S performance. ISO 45001 promotes a positive safety culture and contributes to the overall well-being of workers. 

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