Step-by-Step Guide to Achieving ISO 45001 Certification

Workplace health and safety is a top priority for organisations in the UK. One of the most effective ways to manage risk and safeguard employees is to obtain ISO 45001 certification. This international standard helps businesses to create a positive workplace, lower incident rates, and comply with the law.

In this guide, Tritact® Consulting explains the entire process of acquiring ISO 45001 certification in the most straightforward manner.

Step 1: Get to Grips with ISO 45001 Requirements

Step one is to figure out what ISO 45001 is and what it demands of you. ISO 45001 is a standard for systems of management, where the goal is to eliminate or minimise work-related hazards. Therefore, it is an Occupational Health and Safety Management System (OHSMS) standard.

Important focus areas are:

• Commitment from leadership
• Participation from workers
• Assessment of risk
• Compliance with the law
• Improvement continually

Developing an understanding of these requirements helps to prepare the organisation as best as possible.

Step 2: Carry out a Gap Analysis

A gap analysis evaluates the health and safety management systems that are currently in place against the requirements of ISO 45001. This will show you what you do great, and where you can improve.

To assist with this, Tritact® Consulting carries out comprehensive gap analyses to identify policies, processes and controls that might be absent. This streamlines the process and helps to create an effective action plan.

Step 3: Developing Your ISO 45001 Management System

After identifying the remaining gaps, the next step is to start building or enhancing your health and safety management system.

This includes:

• Making health and safety management system policies
• Finding hazards and risks
• Establishing safety objectives
• Defining roles and responsibilities
• Developing emergency response plans

All documentation should be written in a clear and easy-to-understand manner that is suited to the size and activity of the organisation.

Step 4: Implementing the System Across the Organisation

Implementation means putting the system into daily practice. Employees must understand and perform their duties under the system, including the new system.

Some of the things to be done are:

• Training and educating the personnel on health and safety
• Disseminating policies, including procedures
• To the extent reasonable, worker responses and participation
• Loss control and the application of the remaining risks in actual working activities.

Strong support and direction must be available at this point.

Step 5: Conducting Internal Audits

The internal audit must be done before applying for certification. An internal audit checks to see whether the ISO 45001 is functioning correctly and whether it is compliant with the standard.

Some of the things to be done are:

• Noting deficiencies
• Enhancing safety performance
• Preparing for the certification audit

With internal audits, there are no gaps at Tritact® Consulting to help support audits.

Step 6: Management Review

System suitability and effectiveness need top management’s attention. This review includes:

• Audit results
• Incident reports
• Legal compliance
• Health and safety performance

Management review shows support and commitment to continual improvement.

Step 7: Certification Audit

The last step is the certification audit that a body issuing certification and accredited by UKAS conducts. This audit is usually in two stages:

• Stage 1: Documentation and readiness review
• Stage 2: On-site audit on implementation

Corrective actions must be completed before certification is granted if there are issues.

Why Choose Tritact® Consulting?

Achieving ISO 45001 Certification can be complex, but with expert support, it’s very simple. Tritact® Consulting provides complete ISO 45001 services, from certification support to gap analysis. Our methodology makes it easier for businesses in the UK to get certification.