Every day, over 6300 people die due to accidents, injuries, or diseases linked to their workplace activities. That’s nearly 2.3 million work-related deaths each year. These are 2.3 million innocent lives that could and should have been protected. Not only is this emotionally devastating for the families, but it also impacts the employers, the organisation, and the economy on a larger scale.
To combat this problem, the International Organization for Standardization has put forth the ISO 45001 Standard for Occupational Health and Safety (OH&S) management systems. It offers a clear framework to help organisations, regardless of size or industry, improve employee safety, reduce workplace risks, and establish a safe and healthy environment for all personnel.
In this article, we’ll walk you through everything you need to know about implementing the ISO 45001 Certification in Australia. Read on to know what the certification means for your organisation and how it benefits you.
All About the ISO 45001 Certification
ISO 45001 was launched as the world’s first International Standard dealing with health and safety at work. The standard presents a framework for the top management of organisations across the world, assisting them in identifying, controlling their health and safety risks, strengthening their OH&S systems, and meeting legal and regulatory requirements.
The ISO 45001 standard Australia draws on OHSAS 18001 – the former benchmark for OH&S. While it addresses the concerns over this former standard via an emphasis on context-specific risk mitigation and leadership involvement, it is a distinct standard, and not an update.
Benefits of Attaining the ISO 45001 Certification
When implemented effectively, the ISO 45001 Certification in Australia brings a number of operational, structural, and managerial advantages to your organisation and employees. Let’s have a look at some of the benefits you’ll experience, beyond the obvious safety and health improvements:
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Enhanced Stakeholder Confidence & Brand Integrity
Attaining the ISO 45001 certification shows your customers, investors, and regulators that you’re serious about keeping your people and personnel safe. This helps build a significant amount of trust and confidence in your business, giving your stakeholders more reasons to stick with you.
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Develop Management Involvement & Accountability
The standard is directed toward the organisational leadership, holding the C-Suite executives accountable for the worker’s wellness. This top-down approach makes health and safety an integral part of the management system, ensuring an effective cultural change throughout the organisation.
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Increased Workforce Productivity
Workplace incidents and accidents are a major contributor to employee absenteeism and operational downtime. With the ISO 45001 certification, you eliminate these factors and make employees feel more secure and focused in their day-to-day work, thereby enhancing productivity.
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Lower Insurance Costs
It’s simple – lower the risk of incidents, lower the insurance premiums claims. With the lower rate and risk of workplace injuries, you decrease the chances of your workers going to file an insurance claim. Thus, while the workers enjoy a safer environment, you benefit with lower overhead expenses.
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Competitive Advantage
As more end-consumers and business partners prioritise organisations that use ISO standards, an ISO 45001 certification will give your entity a distinct edge. It signals your organisation’s commitment to internationally-recognized OH&S best practices.
Key Takeaway
Workplace safety impacts lives, communities and business continuity. With the ISO 45001 certification in Australia, you enable a brighter, healthier future not just for your organisation, but even the national economy at a wider scope. This ISO certification can help you create a more advanced, welcoming organisational environment for all your stakeholders.
