What is the Difference Between OHSAS 18001 and ISO 45001?
With the introduction of the new ISO 45001 certification, many organizations are now wondering what the difference is between OHSAS 18001 and ISO 45001. This article will provide an overview of both standards and explain the differences between them.
What is OHSAS 18001?
OHSAS 18001 was first introduced in 1999 and was intended to provide a set of standards and requirements for occupational health and safety management systems. The standard was designed to help organizations identify, control and reduce the risks associated with workplace hazards. The standard was developed in response to the growing number of workplace accidents and injuries which had been reported in recent years.
What is ISO 45001?
ISO 45001, on the other hand, is the latest version of the OHSAS 18001 standard. It was released in 2018 and is the world’s first international occupational health and safety management system standard. ISO 45001 is designed to help organizations address workplace hazards and risks. It also provides a framework for organizations to measure their performance and identify areas for improvement.
How Do the Two Differ?
The first difference between OHSAS 18001 and ISO 45001 is the scope of the standards. OHSAS 18001 is limited to occupational health and safety only, while ISO 45001 is much broader in scope and covers not only occupational health and safety, but also environmental management, crisis management, and more.
Another key difference between the two standards is the risk assessment process. OHSAS 18001 uses the traditional hazard-based approach, while ISO 45001 uses a more modern risk-based approach. The risk-based approach allows organizations to identify potential risks before they become a problem and to take proactive steps to mitigate them.
The third difference is the focus on leadership. OHSAS 18001 does not have a specific requirement for leadership in occupational health and safety, while ISO 45001 requires organizations to develop a leadership system that is actively involved in the development, implementation, and continual improvement of the OHS management system.
Finally, the two standards differ in terms of the audit process. OHSAS 18001 requires organizations to be certified by an accredited third-party certification body, while ISO 45001 requires organizations to undertake an internal audit as part of their continual improvement process.
While OHSAS 18001 and ISO 45001 are both important standards that help organizations manage their occupational health and safety risks, they have some key differences in terms of their scope, risk assessment process, focus on leadership, and audit process. Organizations should consider these differences when deciding which standard is best for their organization.
Conclusion
We hope this article has helped you gain a better understanding of OHSAS 18001 and ISOD 45001. All in all, while both OHSAS 18001 and ISO 45001 are standards for occupational health and safety management, ISO 45001 is the latest version and provides a more comprehensive approach to safety management. Organizations must be more proactive in their approach to safety management in order to achieve and maintain their ISO 45001 certification. Feel free to refer back to this article if you need a quick refresher on this subject.
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