The highly anticipated international standard for occupational health and safety (OH&S)— ISO 45001:2018, Occupational health and safety management systems – Requirements with guidance for use—has now been published.

ISO 45001 provides a robust set of processes for improving work safety in global supply chains and is set to transform workplace practices globally and reduce workplace injuries and illnesses.

David Smith, chair of project committee ISO/PC 283 that developed ISO 45001, said the new standard will be a game changer for millions of workers.

“It is hoped that ISO 45001 will lead to a major transformation in workplace practices and reduce the tragic toll of work-related accidents and illnesses across the globe,” Smith said. “The new standard will help organizations provide a safe and healthy work environment for workers and visitors by continually improving their OH&S performance.

“World standards writers have come together to provide a framework for a safer workplace for all, whatever sector you work in and wherever you work in the world.”

ISO 45001 is designed to help organizations of all sizes and industries. The standard provides government agencies, and industry with effective, usable guidance for improving worker safety in countries around the world.

The framework of ISO 45001 is easy-to-use and can be applied to captive and partner factories and production facilities—regardless of their location.

ISO 45001 is designed to integrate with other ISO management systems standards—ensuring a high level of compatibility with the latest versions of ISO 9001 and ISO 14001. The standard is also based on common elements found in all ISO management systems standards and uses a simple Plan-Do-Check-Act model, which provides a framework for organizations to plan what they need to put in place in order to minimize the risk of harm.

As ISO 45001 will replace OHSAS 18001, organizations already certified to OHSAS 18001 will have three years to comply with the new standard.