1. What is the main difference between OHSAS 18001:2007 & ISO 45001:2018?

OHSAS 18001:2007 ISO 45001:2018

Hazard control Risk evaluation, reduction and prevention
Procedures are prepared Documented results are required
Safety management personnel play
Top management plays leadership role
leadership role
Company leadership takes leading role to
Company management reviews the process
ensure it fits within the overall organization’s
after development
processes.
Safety and health are the responsibility of
leadership and the overall management
system of the organization. External and
Safety and health is the responsibility of safety internal issues related to the safety
management personnel management system should be addressed by
leadership. Workers and interested parties’
needs should be addressed and incorporated
into the plan.

o ISO 45001 is the newly published standard that supersedes OHSAS 18001. As all
organisations currently certified to OHSAS 18001 has to transition to ISO 45001 within a
3-year period, there is a lot of debate on the difference between ISO 45001 vs OHSAS
18001.
o The new ISO 45001 standard implements the high-level structure, compatible with ISO
14001:2015 and ISO 9001:2015.
o Leadership and Worker Participation
 ISO 45001 vs OHSAS 18001 both have similar requirements with respect to top
management. However, in the ISO 45001, it is not required that the organisation
appoint a member of the top management who will be responsible for the OH&S
management system. In addition, the requirements for the OH&S Policy are better
elaborated in ISO 45001
o Information and Communication
 The requirements of both standards are pretty much the same in this point, only
elaborated in more detail in ISO 45001. Communication requirements have been
improved in terms of clearly defining the objectives of communication and its
effectiveness. In addition, it must be stated to Who, What and When such
communication should take place.
o Context of the Organisation in ISO 45001 vs OHSAS
 A huge plus to the new standard ISO 45001 vs OHSAS 18001 is the concept of
context. This is a completely new requirement; the organisation will need to
determine the external and internal context that affects the organisation and its
OH&S management system. The Context of every organisation will have to be
determined, assessed and monitored.
o The Needs and Expectations of Workers and Other Interested Parties
 ISO 45001 differentiates workers from other interested parties so as to place
emphasis on their importance.
o Determination of Risk and Opportunities
 New requirement in the new ISO 45001 vs OHSAS 18001. When planning the
OH&S management system, it is important for the organisation to determine the risk
and opportunities tied to the organisation.
o Objectives of the Organisation
 In the ISO 45001, there is an increased focus on the objective’s determination by
an organisation because drivers of improvement and their achievements shall be
assessed and evaluated during performance review. The objective should support
the OH&S Policy and shall be considered within available resources. Furthermore,
the responsibility for reaching the objectives, timescale and performance indicators
is required to measure progress. Information about the objectives and the action
plan must be clearly documented.
o Reduction of OH&S Risks and Eliminating Hazard
 The new ISO 45001 standard stipulates the hierarchy of controls in a preference
order with respect to risk management. Risks and hazards controls are
prerequisites in the planning of operational controls. ISO 45001 introduces
requirements for the management of scheduled changes in operations such as work
force, working conditions, equipment and changes in risks and hazards.
2. What is the benefit of implementing OHSMS?

o Improved health and safety performance by your business. This reduces the costs
associated with accidents and incidents.
o Improved awareness of legal requirements reduces the chance that you will commit any
offences. The Health and Safety Executive for Northern Ireland (HSENI) may regulate
your business with a lighter touch if it is well managed.
o If employees see that you are actively looking after their health and safety, relations and
morale will improve.
o The public see that you are taking a responsible attitude towards your employees. This
improves your image and helps generate positive PR for your business.
o Improving the efficiency of your business reduces your costs.
o You can demonstrate to your insurers that you are controlling risk effectively. This may
help lower your insurance premiums.
o Banks and investors will be more willing to finance your business if you can show that it
is well managed.
o Business partners have more confidence in your business. Larger companies and
government agencies may only buy from businesses that can show effective management
systems.
3. List the flow of OSHMS certification:

o Pre-Audit Review (Stage 1)

 Under the BCA OHSMS Certification Scheme, upon receipt of the application for
certification, BCA will arrange and conduct a document review. The document review
will focus on the planning aspects of the Occupational Health & Safety management
system. The objective is to ensure that the scope of analysis covering the entire
OHSMS is conducted.
 Upon completion of the pre-audit review, the applicant firm will be given a report
detailing the findings. The applicant firm will address the findings and notify BCA
auditors of their follow-up actions within an agreed time frame before proceeding to
Occupational Health & Safety Management System Audit.
 The applicant firm shall reflect the scope of certification they seek prior to audits
conducted.
o Occupational Health & Safety Management System Audit (Stage 2)
 The applicant firm shall submit its revised Occupational Health & Safety
Manual/Procedures prior to audit.
 The objective of the audit is to confirm that the OHSMS of the applicant firm conforms
to all requirements of the OHSAS 18001. The applicant firm is required to conduct one
internal audit and management review prior to the audit.
 During the audit, non-conformity and/or observation reports may be issued. The
applicant firm should clarify and understand fully the non-conformities raised before
acknowledging them.
 All non-conformities shall be closed out within the specified time frame. A
recommendation for either the award or non-award of the certificate will then be made.
 Should major non-conformities be raised during the audit, the applicant firm will have
to go through a re-audit. The lead auditor will determine the number of man days
required for the re-audit. The applicant firm shall pay to BCA all costs incurred for the
re-audit.
o Surveillance Audit
 During the three years validity period of the certificate, annual surveillance audits will
be conducted to ensure that the certified firm continues to comply with the
requirements of OHSAS 18001. BCA reserves the right to conduct additional audits as
it deems fit.
 Firms certified under the BCA ISO 9000 Certification Scheme can combine both quality
and Occupational Health & Safety Management system routine surveillance audits.
o Continuous Registration
 A full reassessment for the renewal of certificate shall be conducted every three years.
BCA will schedule the reassessment two months before expiry of the certificate.
 Upon successful completion of reassessment, BCA will issue a new certificate valid for
a further three years.