The Future of Safety - ISO 45001

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Rumor in the EHS compliance world has it that ISO 45001 is the standard for safety in the near future. This new international standard is going to be the basis for all safety management systems implemented globally, not because companies want to, but because customers will demand it. The delicate dance between safety and the bottom line is finally coming to an end, and this new standard directs top management to implement systems company-wide.

With ISO 45001, responsibility for safety is not tasked to a specific person such as a safety director. It does not specify performance criteria or mandate a specific system design. This means that companies are able to use current frameworks to build a more robust, effective system.

ISO 45001 assesses risks beforehand, rather than working backward after an injury has already occurred. In addition, safety leadership from all levels is required to make the model work. With this involvement, safety professionals now are able to prove return on investment (ROI) to top-level executives.

The global economy will be impacted as companies work to become ISO 45001 certified because there is now a single set of standards that can be understood on a global scale; domestic and international trade has the potential to improve. Global supply networks will be able to use this certification as a selling point to obtain new contracts and business relationships and meet the requirements of existing clients.

In addition, ISO 45001 is replacing OHSA’S 18001 in March of 2021. European governments already have a jump-start on the new international standard. As foreign-owned companies direct their American plants to reach ISO 45001 certification, other vendors, suppliers and contractors will also be pushed to comply.

In the context of the organization, it will tell what we do, why we do it, what is produced, and drive how a company addresses risk. The management team and workers are all involved in writing and implementing the procedures. This is not new, you may recognize this in other areas, such as a quality management system.

Publicly-traded companies should be interested in ISO 45001 from a public relations and sustainability perspective as well. The positive impact on corporate culture includes a transformation from correction-mode to prevention mode. ISO 45001 allows for improved management oversight, addition of a measurable Key Performance Indicators (KPIs), demonstration of due diligence and achieving key initiatives in continuous improvement.

Overall, cost benefits of ISO 45001 include:

  • Lower probability of potential civil and criminal liability;

  • Creation of new tools to provide significant ROI;

  • Positive impact on corporate culture;

  •  Improved production and quality;

  •  Increased profitability resulting in enhanced competitiveness; and

  •  Increased ability to meet legal and regulatory requirements and avoid governmental penalties.

ISO 45001 also allows companies to demonstrate in writing and in practice their measurable commitment to the welfare of workers and the community. It will allow for improved efficiency and consistency of internal operations. Companies seeking certification will see an increase in productivity and improved quality while achieving operational excellence. In fact, if a system is built that is clean and efficient enough, it will run itself.