Home Certification ISO 45001
OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH AND SAFETY
ISO 45001 certification
An occupational health and safety management system helps connect hazard identification, worker participation, operating controls and learning from incidents. Explain how these arrangements apply to permanent workplaces, temporary work and relevant contractor interfaces.
AT A GLANCE
STANDARD REFERENCE
ISO 45001:2018
Occupational Health and Safety Management System
ASSESSMENT SUBJECT
Your management system
Certification applies to the agreed organizational scope.
Your application identifies the edition, activities and sites to be assessed.
UNDERSTAND THE STANDARD
What is ISO 45001 certification?
ISO 45001 addresses occupational health and safety management. It concerns how an organization identifies and manages relevant risks, involves workers and evaluates its arrangements. Certification does not promise that no accident or occupational illness will occur.
Begin with how work is actually carried out. Permanent workplaces, temporary projects, maintenance activities, contractors and changes in equipment may create different questions. A written instruction needs to connect with supervision, competence, worker participation and the evidence available at the place of work.
START WITH THE BOUNDARY
Make the scope clear.
Identify the activities, workers, sites and interfaces included in the proposed system. Explain temporary workplaces and how control is shared with clients or contractors. A head-office address may not describe where the significant work takes place.
FROM INTENT TO EVIDENCE
Show how your system works.
These are examples of relevant information, not a universal list of mandatory documents. The evidence depends on your activities and applicable requirements.
01
How hazards are identified and risk-related decisions are made.
02
How workers participate and concerns are raised.
03
How responsibilities and controls are communicated across contractors and teams.
04
Evidence of monitoring, incident learning, internal evaluation and improvement.
A PRACTICAL EXAMPLE
Put the scope into context.
For example, an engineering contractor may work at changing client sites. Before requesting an assessment, it should explain how site-specific conditions are understood and how responsibilities are agreed. A single office procedure cannot answer every question about a temporary workplace. This scenario is illustrative and does not identify an EQRM client.
Use this example to prepare your own scope and evidence.
HOW CERTIFICATION WORKS
A clear route from enquiry to decision.
01
Scope & application
Describe the activities, sites and standard you want assessed.
02
Assessment planning
Agree arrangements based on the application and programme.
03
Audit & response
Demonstrate the system and address findings with evidence.
04
Decision & review
Certification follows a decision, with continuing assessment as applicable.
An application or completed audit does not guarantee certification.
EDITION & APPLICATION
Confirm the right basis for assessment.
The planning reference is ISO 45001:2018. Applicable amendments, transition arrangements and the edition for your application must be confirmed before assessment is agreed.
Check the official ISO publication information. Use the official publication record to check the edition and related amendments.
CONNECTED MANAGEMENT NEEDS
Considering several standards?
Shared processes can support a coordinated system. Explain the common boundaries and the differences.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
ISO 45001: frequently asked questions
Clear answers before you take the next step.
Can certification replace an employer’s safety responsibilities?
No. Certification does not transfer the organization’s responsibilities to the certification body. The applicant remains responsible for its activities and relevant obligations.
Can contractors be relevant to the safety management system?
Yes. Explain how contractor work interfaces with your activities, supervision and workplace arrangements. The assessment discussion should reflect the responsibilities held by each organization.
Does certification replace workplace safety duties?
No. Certification assesses the management system within its scope. Applicable duties, competent risk assessment and safe working arrangements remain the organization’s responsibility.
Can ISO 45001 be assessed with other standards?
Other systems may share responsibilities or processes with ISO 45001, but each retains its own requirements. Explain the intended standards, sites and boundaries when discussing an integrated assessment.
What affects the cost and timing of ISO 45001 certification?
The scope, activities, personnel, locations and applicable programme determine the proposed assessment work. Readiness and responses to findings also affect timing. Request a quotation based on your actual organization.
START WITH YOUR ORGANIZATION
Discuss ISO 45001 with EQRM.
Tell us your activities, locations and ISO 45001 requirements. We’ll review availability and the scope of the proposed engagement.