The ISO 45001 certification process is essential for organisations aiming to improve their occupational health and safety management systems (OHSMS). This internationally recognised standard provides a robust framework for managing hazards and risks and ensuring a safer and healthier work environment.
This article will discuss the benefits of implementing ISO 45001, the detailed certification process, the documents required, insights on maintaining compliance, and more.
Step-by-step ISO 45001 Certification Process for Australian Organisations
Here is Anitech’s step-by-step guide on ISO 45001 Certification process for Australian organisations. Our expert consultants have prepared the process structure based on the legislative requirements and their experience assisting various Australian organisations.
Management Buy-in: The first step is to gain commitment from top management in supporting the implementation of ISO 45001 within the organization.
1) Gap Analysis:
Evaluate to identify gaps between your current OHSMS and the requirements of ISO 45001. By conducting a gap analysis for ISO 45001, organizations can identify the areas where they need to improve their occupational health and safety management system and take the necessary actions to ensure compliance with the standard. This will help to reduce the risk of accidents and injuries in the workplace and promote a culture of safety within the organization.
2) Develop an Implementation Plan:
Create a comprehensive plan detailing necessary actions to improve existing processes, roles, responsibilities, timelines, and resources required. It is important to note that the implementation plan should be tailored to the specific needs and characteristics of the organization. Additionally, ongoing support from senior management, adequate resources, and employee involvement are key factors for the successful implementation of ISO 45001.
3) Development of OH&S MS:
Based on the gap analysis results and the Implementation Plan, the organization develops an OH&S management system that includes policies, procedures, manuals, forms and registers relevant to the organization that meets the requirements of ISO 45001.
4) Training and Awareness Programs:
Train your staff on the importance of health and safety practices outlined in ISO 45001. The program should aim to increase employee understanding and commitment to the OHSMS and to provide them with the knowledge and skills they need to participate effectively in the system.
5) Implementation:
Integrate new processes within your existing OHSMS while ensuring adherence to legal obligations. Implement the OHSMS and ensure that the procedures are followed and the necessary controls are put in place.
6) Internal Audits:
Conduct regular internal audits to evaluate your management system’s efficiency and identify improvement areas.
7) Management Review:
Top management should review the audit findings and regularly monitor progress against the implementation plan.
8) Collaborate with ISO 45001 Consultant
Collaborate with an expert ISO 45001 Consultant from a reputed consulting firm to help your organisation with the ISO 45001 standard strategizing, implementation, internal audits, and compliance. They will also guide in the certification process.
Overall, collaborating with an ISO 45001 consultant can help ensure your OHSMS is effective, efficient, and aligned with best practices in occupational health and safety.
9) Choose a Certification body:
Select a reputable certification body that is accredited by an Australian accreditation authority, such as JAS-ANZ.
10) Certification Audit:
The chosen certification body will conduct a two-stage audit – Stage 1 (Readiness Assessment) and Stage 2 (Certification Audit) – to evaluate your OHSMS and determine compliance with ISO 45001.
11) Continuous Improvement:
Upon successful certification, maintain and improve your OHSMS through regular performance assessments, monitoring, internal audits, and corrective actions.
Documents required during ISO 45001 Certification Process:
An organisation should prepare and collect all the documents essential for ISO 45001 certification.
We have created a checklist to help you:
- OHSMS policy and objectives.
- Roles, responsibilities, and authorities within the organisation.
- Risk assessment procedures and records.
- Legal compliance documentation.
- Training records of employees
- Communication procedures with parties affected by occupational health risks
- Emergency preparedness.
- Incident reporting and investigation procedure
- Internal Audit reports
- Management review reports
- Documented information on continual improvement
Benefits of ISO 45001 Certification:
1) Enhanced Occupational Health and Safety Management System (OHSMS):
Companies adopting ISO 45001 can proactively identify and manage risks, creating a safer workplace for employees. Hence, the likelihood of workplace accidents and injuries will be reduced.
2) Boosted Reputation:
Achieving certification demonstrates an organization’s commitment to maintaining optimum occupational health and safety standards.
3) Compliance with Legislation:
Implementing the standard can help align an organization’s OHSMS with relevant Australian laws and regulations.
4) Improved Stakeholder Engagement:
The involvement of top management throughout the implementation process ensures strong communication channels between workers, contractors, investors, and other stakeholders.
5) Improved Reputation:
Obtaining ISO 45001 certification can help organizations demonstrate their commitment to employee safety and well-being, thereby enhancing their reputation among stakeholders, customers, and employees.
6) Increased Efficiency:
Implementing the ISO 45001 standard can help organizations streamline their health and safety management processes, thereby increasing efficiency and reducing costs.
7) Competitive advantage:
ISO 45001 certification can help organizations differentiate themselves from their competitors and win new business by demonstrating their commitment to employee safety and well-being.
8) Continuous Improvement:
The ISO 45001 standard requires organizations to establish a process for continuous improvement of their health and safety management system, thereby enabling them to adapt to changing situations and emerging risks.
How different is the ISO 45001 Certification Process for a new Business?
The ISO 45001 certification process for new businesses is similar to the certification process for established organizations, but there may be some differences due to the nature of the business.
For example, new businesses may not have an existing OH&S management system, so they will need to develop one from scratch. This can be a more time-consuming and complex process than for established organizations with a system.
Additionally, new businesses may have fewer resources and less experience in dealing with health and safety issues. As a result, they may require more support and guidance throughout the certification process.
However, the fundamental steps in the ISO 45001 certification process remain the same, including developing an OH&S policy, conducting a risk assessment, implementing an OH&S management system, conducting internal audits, and undergoing a certification audit.
The main difference is that new businesses may need to allocate more time and resources to establish their OH&S management system, ultimately leading to a stronger health and safety culture and demonstrating their commitment to employee well-being.
Develop a health and safety policy: Develop a health and safety policy that outlines your dedication and commitment to providing a safe and healthy workplace. This policy should be communicated to all employees and stakeholders.
Preparations Organisations need to make Prior ISO 45001 Certification Process:
1) Understand the Standard:
Organizations should familiarize themselves with the requirements of the ISO 45001 standard and how it applies to their operations. This can help them identify gaps in their existing health and safety management system.
2) Conduct Gap Analysis:
Organizations should conduct a gap analysis to identify any areas of non-conformity with the standard. This analysis will enable them to develop an implementation plan to address the identified gaps.
3) Appoint a Team:
Organisations should appoint a team to lead the implementation process. This team should consists of representatives from different departments and levels within the organization.
4) Develop Policies and Procedures:
Organizations should develop and implement policies and procedures that align with the ISO 45001 standard. These policies should be communicated to all employees, stakeholders, and interested parties.
5) Establish Objectives and Targets:
Organisations should establish health and safety objectives and targets that are specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound (SMART). These objectives should be aligned with the organization’s overall goals and objectives.
6) Train Employees:
Organisations should train all employees on the requirements of the ISO 45001 standard and how it applies to their roles and responsibilities.
Cost of ISO 45001 Certification in Australia
The cost of ISO 45001 certification in Australia can differ depending on several factors, such as the organization’s size, the certification’s scope, and the certification body chosen.
Here are certain factors that can influence the cost:
1) Certification Body:
The cost of certification can vary depending on the certification body chosen, as each certification body may have different pricing structures.
2) Organisation’s Size:
The organisation’s size can influence the certification cost, as larger organizations may require more extensive audits.
3) Complexity of Certification Process:
The complexity of the certification process can also influence the cost, as organizations with more complex health and safety management systems may require more extensive audits.
4) Scope of Certification:
The scope of the ISO 45001 certification can also impact the cost, as organizations may choose to certify their entire operations or specific parts of their operations.
That being said, the approximate cost of ISO 45001 certification in Australia can range from AUD 5,000 to AUD 20,000, depending on the above factors. It is crucial to note this is an approximate range and that the actual cost may differ depending on the specific circumstances of each organization.
How can Anitech Consultants help?
ISO 45001 certification process can be a complex and time-consuming methodology, especially if you are new to the standard. Anitech consultants can therefore help you and your employees in understanding the process in a simplified manner. They will involve you in every stage and solve your queries to ensure the management and employees are aware of what involves in the complete ISO 45001 certification process.
Here are certain ways how Anitech consultants can help your organisations:
1) Gap Analysis:
Anitech consultants can conduct a gap analysis to identify gaps in your existing OH&S management system and help you develop a plan to address these gaps.
2) Implementation Support:
Our experienced consultants can support implementing the necessary changes to meet the ISO 45001 requirements. They can guide documentation, training, and communication with employees.
3) Internal Auditing:
Furthermore, Anitech consultants can conduct internal audits to assess the effectiveness of your OH&S management system and identify areas for improvement.
4) Certification Audit Support:
Our consultants can provide support during the certification audit process, including preparing for the audit, assisting with the audit itself, and addressing any non-conformities identified during the audit.
5) Continual Improvement:
Anitech Consultants can help you establish a process for continual improvement of your Occupational Health and Safety (OH&S) management system to ensure that it remains effective and meets the changing needs of your organization.
Overall, Anitech consultants can provide valuable expertise and support to help your organization achieve certification to the standard and improve your health and safety management practices.
If you want Anitech consultants to help you in the ISO 45001 certification process, call us at 1300 802 163 or e-mail – info@anitechgroup.com or enquire here.
Our consultants will be happy to help.
For more blogs on ISO 45001 and industry-specific information, stay tuned to the Anitech website.
