Australia has begun the process to adopt the International Standard ISO 45001, Occupational health and safety management systems – Requirements with guidance for use, following extensive stakeholder consultation.
The decision—initially recommended by Standards Australia’s Technical Committee SF-001, Occupational Health & Safety Management—has been endorsed following consultation with experts from government, industry, employee associations, and academic institutions.
Standards Australia CEO Dr Bronwyn Evans said Australian experts actively participated in the development of ISO 45001.
“We have since worked closely with the committee and a wider set of stakeholders to determine the most suitable solution for the Australian context,” Evans said.
“With the decision to adopt ISO 45001, we see Australia’s continued commitment to safer occupational health and safety practices across workplaces of all sectors and sizes.”
AS/NZS ISO 45001 will include commentary on how the adopted standard relates to the occupational health and safety legislative framework in Australia.
The document will be open for public comment until August 28. The final standard, AS/NZS ISO 45001, is expected to be published late 2018.
Work is also underway to scope what additional guidance could be provided on AS/NZS ISO 45001 to support organizations and individuals utilizing the standard.
Does this mean that AS/NZS 4801 will be discontinued?