Make the switch to ISO 45001 simple

SGS South Africa – a leading inspection, verification, testing and certification company – highlighted its ability to assist companies to make a smooth transition from the OHSAS 18001:2017 standard for occupational health and safety management systems (OHSMS) to the recently passed ISO 45001 standard.

In March, the new ISO 45001 standard was published as the globally recognised OHSMS standard. While there remain some similarities between the two standards, ISO 45001 adopts the Annex SL top-level framework of all new and revised ISO management system standards.

This new standard sets out key requirements for managing occupational health and safety and is a tool for facilitating improvements in overall health and safety performance. It encourages more internal and external stakeholder focus as part of the adoption of a risk-based approach to health and safety management.

SGS South Africa can offer its support to companies in their transition to ISO 45001 by providing training in awareness, implementation, as well as internal auditor and lead auditor training to understand the new requirements. Risk-based thinking and empowering leadership training is also available.

“On request, we can provide gap analyses, which can be used to highlight the changes that will need to be made for migration from OHSAS 18001 to ISO 45001 certification,” says Lizelle Swart, business development manager at SGS South Africa.

She advises companies preparing for the shift to download the SGS Readiness Checklist online and consider obtaining a copy of the new standard. They should then go about setting a strategy and engaging stakeholders, developing an implementation plan and reviewing the systems for the management of outsourced products and services.