What is the difference between OHSAS 18001 and ISO 45001?

ISO certification in Dubai like ISO 18001 and ISO 45001 certifications may sound the same but it is not. The most important difference between ISO 45001 and OHSAS 18001 is the structure. 45001 have adopted the Annex SL High Level Structure. This structure is followed by most of the latest ISO standards like ISO 9001 and 14001.

The context has to be systematically determined and monitored. Context can be internal or external. The organization has to determine external and internal context that affects the organization and its Occupational health and safety (OH&S) management system. This context can be positive or negative.

OHSAS 18001 standard is the British standard for occupational health and safety management whereas ISO 45001 is standard for occupational health and safety management published by International Organization for standardization (ISO).

ISO 45001 standard is compatible with ISO 14001:2015 and ISO 9001:2015. Thus choosing this management system will increase the health and safety of the organization. Whereas OHSAS 18001 is not compatible with ISO 14001 and ISO 9001.

ISO 45001 does proactive planning to mitigate the risks whereas OHSAS 18001 is a relative old standard and does reactive planning to mitigate risks of an organization.

OHSAS 18001 focuses on controlling the hazard whereas ISO 45001 focuses on how evaluation, reduction and prevention of risks can be done.

In OHSAS 18001 procedures are prepared for identification and controlling the hazard. Documented results are required for risk mitigation.

Management of the company reviews the process after development is done under OHSAS 18001. Senior management is expected to take the leadership role in driving performance improvements into action and taking responsibility for safety of the employees. Under OHSAS 18001 the operation of occupational health and safety is carried out by safety management representative. Whereas in ISO 45001 top management plays the leadership role

OHSAS 18001 is a management standard that ignored workers interests. In ISO 45001 workers can participate broadly and work with the management to implement safety management system. ISO 45001 allows participation of workers to a greater degree in occupational health and safety management.

In ISO 45001, increased focus is given on the planning and determination of objectives by an organization. This is done to asses and evaluates the achievements of the employee during performance review. ISO 45001 is more explicit than OHSAS 18001 in formalizing the objectives of the organization, supporting organizational health and safety policy and establishing documentation.

ISO 45001 deals with risks and opportunities both whereas OHSAS 18001 exclusively deal with Risks. ISO 45001 encourages risk based thinking. ISO 45001 has a section to tackle emergency situations.

ISO 45001 includes the views of interested parties whereas OHSAS 18001 does not include views of interested parties.ISO 45001 is dynamic in all its clauses but OHSAS 18001 is not dynamic in its clauses.

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