What is ISO 45001?
ISO 45001 sets the requirements for an occupational health and safety (OH&S) management system. It covers your OH&S policy, objectives, planning, implementation, operation, auditing and review.
Key elements include leadership commitment, worker participation, hazard identification and risk assessment, legal compliance, emergency planning, incident investigation and continual improvement. It uses the Plan-Do-Check-Act approach to manage health and safety risks systematically.
Why ISO 45001 matters
Employers are responsible for making sure health and safety risks in the workplace are properly assessed and managed. Your staff are your most valuable asset, and they work best in a safe environment. Common sense and safe practice save lives and money.
ISO 45001 replaced OHSAS 18001 and is designed to work alongside ISO 9001 and ISO 14001. It is widely required by clients in high-risk sectors such as oil and gas, construction and manufacturing.
Who needs ISO 45001 certification?
Any organisation, of any size or sector, can be certified. It is especially important in higher-risk industries, including:
- Oil and gas operators and contractors
- Construction and engineering firms
- Manufacturing and processing plants
- Marine and offshore services
- Logistics, haulage and warehousing
- Mining and quarrying
- Facility management and security
- Healthcare providers
Benefits of ISO 45001 certification
Fewer incidents
Systematic hazard identification and risk control reduce injuries and ill health.
Legal compliance
A structured way to meet health and safety laws and regulations.
Stronger reputation
Show employees, clients and regulators your commitment to safety.
Lower costs
Fewer incidents, less downtime and potentially lower insurance premiums.
Emergency readiness
Tested emergency preparedness and response makes you more resilient.
Engaged workers
Worker consultation and participation improve morale and retention.
What the standard requires
Like all modern ISO management system standards, it follows the same high-level structure, so it integrates easily with other standards in a single management system.
Context of the organisation
Understand your organisation, interested parties (including workers) and the scope of your OH&S system. Since 2024, this includes considering whether climate change is a relevant issue.
Leadership
Top management leadership, an OH&S policy, and consultation and participation of workers.
Planning
Identify hazards, assess OH&S risks and opportunities, determine legal requirements and set objectives.
Support
Resources, competence, awareness, communication and documented information.
Operation
Eliminate hazards and reduce risks, manage change, control contractors and procurement, and prepare for emergencies.
Performance evaluation
Monitoring and measurement, internal audit and management review.
Improvement
Investigate incidents, correct nonconformities and continually improve OH&S performance.
How SCL certifies you
STEP 1
Request a quote
Tell us about your organisation, sites and scope.
STEP 2
Apply
Complete the application and agree the audit plan.
STEP 3
Stage 1 audit
We review your OH&S documentation, risk assessments and readiness.
STEP 4
Stage 2 audit
We assess your health and safety controls in practice, on site.
STEP 5
Get certified
Receive your accredited certificate, listed on IAF CertSearch and maintained by annual surveillance audits over its 3-year term.
Frequently asked questions
Has ISO 45001 replaced OHSAS 18001?
Yes. OHSAS 18001 was withdrawn, and ISO 45001 is now the international standard for occupational health and safety management.
How long does certification take?
It depends on your size, sites and risk profile. We give you a clear timeline with your quote.
How long is the certificate valid?
Three years, with annual surveillance audits and a recertification audit before expiry.
Can ISO 45001 be audited together with ISO 9001 and ISO 14001?
Yes. The standards share the same structure, so we can run integrated audits that save time and cost.