ISO 45001:2018
Occupational Health and Safety Management Systems (OH&SMS)
SQNet Assessments, as an independent certification body, provides impartial ISO 45001:2018 audit and certification services, enabling organizations to demonstrate their commitment to worker safety, risk prevention, and continual improvement.
ISO 45001:2018 – Occupational Health and Safety Management Systems (OH&SMS)
Ensuring a safe and healthy workplace is a fundamental responsibility for organizations across all sectors. Occupational injuries, illnesses, and unsafe working conditions can have serious consequences for employees, operations, and business continuity. ISO 45001:2018 is the internationally recognized standard that specifies requirements for establishing, implementing, maintaining, and continually improving an Occupational Health and Safety Management System (OH&SMS).
Understanding ISO 45001:2018
ISO 45001:2018 applies to organizations of all sizes and industries, including manufacturing, construction, healthcare, logistics, energy, IT services, and public sector organizations. The standard adopts a proactive, risk-based approach to occupational health and safety, focusing on hazard identification, risk assessment, and the elimination or control of OH&S risks.
ISO 45001:2018 replaces OHSAS 18001 and aligns with the ISO High-Level Structure, allowing easy integration with other management system standards.
Purpose of ISO 45001 Certification
Certification to ISO 45001:2018 demonstrates that an organization has implemented a systematic approach to managing occupational health and safety risks. It provides independent assurance that hazards are identified, risks are controlled, and legal and regulatory requirements are met.
ISO 45001 certification helps organizations reduce workplace injuries and illnesses, improve safety culture, and enhance employee confidence and engagement.
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Key Principles of Occupational Health and Safety Management
ISO 45001:2018 is based on key OH&S management principles that guide effective system implementation:
Leadership and Worker Participation – Active involvement of management and workers
Hazard Identification and Risk Control – Proactive identification and mitigation of hazards
Legal and Other Requirements Compliance – Meeting applicable OH&S obligations
Prevention of Injury and Ill Health – Eliminating or minimizing workplace risks
Continual Improvement – Enhancing OH&S performance over time
Key Elements of an Occupational Health and Safety Management System
ISO 45001:2018 requires organizations to establish and maintain an OH&SMS that includes the following key elements:
OH&S policy and objectives
Understanding organizational context and worker needs
Hazard identification and risk assessment
Operational controls and emergency preparedness
Resource allocation, competence, and training
Communication and worker participation mechanisms
ISO 45001 Certification Process
The ISO 45001 certification process conducted by SQNet Assessments follows internationally accepted certification practices to ensure impartial and objective evaluation.
Application & Scope Definition
The certification process begins with an application, during which the scope of the OH&SMS is defined. This includes identification of activities, processes, locations, and risks covered under certification.
Audit & Evaluation
Certification audits are conducted in two stages:
Stage 1 Audit – Reviews OH&SMS documentation, hazard identification, and organizational readiness
Stage 2 Audit – Evaluates effective implementation of safety controls, risk management, and worker participation
Audits assess compliance with ISO 45001 requirements, legal obligations, and effective risk prevention measures.
Certification Decision
Following successful audit completion and closure of any identified nonconformities, SQNet Assessments conducts an independent certification decision review before issuing the ISO 45001:2018 certificate.
Certification Validity & Surveillance Audits
ISO 45001:2018 certification is valid for three years, subject to annual surveillance audits. Surveillance audits ensure continued compliance, effectiveness of the OH&SMS, and continual improvement in occupational health and safety performance.
Integration with Other Management Systems
ISO 45001:2018 is designed to integrate seamlessly with other ISO management system standards, such as:
ISO 9001 – Quality Management Systems
ISO 14001 – Environmental Management Systems
ISO 22301 – Business Continuity Management
ISO 50001 – Energy Management Systems
Integrated management systems help organizations streamline audits and improve governance.
Commitment to Impartial Certification
SQNet Assessments is committed to delivering transparent, impartial, and credible ISO 45001:2018 certification services. Our structured audit methodology, competent auditors, and adherence to international certification principles ensure confidence in certification outcomes.
Key Benefits of ISO 45001
- Reduced workplace injuries and occupational illnesses
- Improved safety culture and worker morale
- Enhanced compliance with OH&S regulations
- Reduced operational disruptions and incidents
- Improved risk management and prevention
- Strengthens business continuity and resilience
Key Changes in ISO 45001
- Alignment with the latest ISO management system structure
- Simplified and modernized Annex A controls
- Better integration with risk management and business objectives
- Enhanced focus on cloud security, threat intelligence, and data protection
Frequently Asked Questions
Certification is an independent verification process that confirms an organization’s management system, product, or service complies with applicable international standards. It enhances credibility, builds customer trust, and demonstrates commitment to quality, safety, and compliance.
Certification is applicable to organizations of all sizes and sectors, including manufacturing, service, IT, healthcare, construction, education, and public sector organizations, subject to the applicable standard and scope.
SQNet Assessments provides certification services for various international management system standards, including quality, environmental, occupational health & safety, information security, business continuity, and other applicable ISO and sector-specific standards.
The certification timeline depends on the organization’s size, scope, complexity, and readiness level. Typically, the process may take a few weeks to a few months from application to certificate issuance.
Most management system certifications are valid for three years, subject to successful completion of annual surveillance audits.
Stage 1 audit reviews documentation and readiness for certification.
Stage 2 audit evaluates effective implementation of the management system.
You can apply through the SQNet Assessments website or contact the team directly.
