ISO 45001 the standard for safe and healthy working

What is ISO 45001

ISO 45001 is an international standard that provides guidelines for establishing and improving a management system for occupational health and safety. The standard focuses on:

‍Continuous improvement of safety and health performance‍
Meeting legal and other requirements ‍
Achieving safety and health objectives

NBN EN ISO 45001:2023

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Safety and health management systems - Requirements with guidelines for use

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Benefits of ISO 45001

Improved occupational safety and health

By systematically identifying and managing risks, the ISO 45001 standard reduces workplace accidents and illnesses, leading to a safer work environment for all employees.

Increased productivity

A safer work environment promotes employee health and well-being, which can lead to increased productivity and reduced absenteeism.

Strengthening image and reputation

Organisations that implement standard ISO 45001 demonstrate their commitment to health and safety, which improves their image and boosts stakeholder confidence.

Cost savings

By preventing accidents and illnesses, organisations can save costs that would otherwise be spent on staff compensation, rehabilitation and replacement.

Improved business continuity

An effective health and safety management system helps to stabilise business processes and protect against interruptions caused by accidents or health problems.

In line with the SDGs

Are you working with a management system for occupational safety and health? If so, you're achieving several sustainable development goals or SDGs. Consider SDG 3 (good health and well-being), SDG 5 (gender equality), SDG 8 (decent work and economic growth), SDG 9 (industry, innovation and infrastructure) and SDG 10 (reduced inequalities).

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Employees not only expect a healthy and safe work environment. They also perform better when their health and safety are assured.

Heidi Vandenhende

Lead Auditor ISO 45001 and trainer at NBN Learning Solutions

ISO 45001 certification

Prove the safety and health of your work environment with ISO 45001 certification. Certification is not mandatory, but is very valuable.

Why ISO 45001 certification?

External audits allow management risks and opportunities to be identified and controlled better.
Certification shows that you care about your employees and reinforces the trust of prospects, customers, suppliers, shareholders and partners.
Certified companies also have better chances in tenders, as strong health and safety performance is often a prerequisite in tenders.
Regular audits ensure that your health and safety policies continuously improve.

Although ISO and NBN develop the standards, they're not involved in the certification. For more information about certification, the certifying bodies and preparing your organisation, continue reading on our page about certification or download our white paper.

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Collaborate on ISO 45001

A safe and healthy workplace is our collective responsibility and not a matter of course. Several organisations work together in the standards committee on occupational health and safety to establish international guidelines.

Joining this committee offers the opportunity to connect with peers and (international) experts and gain insight into current developments. Do you want to know how you can participate or find out more about the committee? Find out how you can help shape the next version of ISO 45001.

Frequently asked questions about ISO 45001

How do I access the ISO 45001 standard?

I want to learn more about the basics of ISO 45001

At NBN, you can attend various training courses to brush up on your knowledge of the ISO 45001 management standard (Health and Safety at Work). Discover all ISO 45001 training courses here.

Furthermore, in our webshop you'll also find the ISO Handbook 45001. This serves as a practical guide for organisations striving to improve their health and safety management systems through the implementation of the ISO 45001 standard. You'll find examples of best practices, case studies, tips and much more in it.

Is ISO 45001 certification mandatory?

What's the difference between ISO 45001 and ISO 45003?

ISO 45001 addresses the broad spectrum of physical and organisational occupational health and safety and provides a general management system for managing these risks.

ISO 45003 complements ISO 45001 and focuses specifically on managing psychosocial risks (e.g. work pressure, harassment, violence, etc.) and promoting psychological well-being in the workplace.

Both standards are intended to work together, with ISO 45001 providing a framework for a comprehensive health and safety management system, and ISO 45003 providing specific guidance for addressing psychosocial risks.

Why is ISO 45001 replacing OHSAS 18001?

ISO 45001 replaces OHSAS 18001 to provide a globally recognised and harmonised standard for occupational safety and health that integrates with other ISO management systems such as ISO 9001 and ISO 14001 better. It places a stronger emphasis on top management involvement, risk management and the broader context of organisation. In addition, ISO 45001 promotes active employee engagement and continuous improvement, leading to more effective and sustainable working conditions.

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ISO 45001 - Occupational health and safety