ISO 45001 - Occupational Health & Safety Management Systems

Health and safety in the workplace isn’t just about compliance - it’s about protecting your most valuable asset: people. ISO 45001 provides a powerful framework for managing occupational health and safety risks and creating safer working environments. The standard is designed for organisations of all sizes and industries, providing a systematic approach to identifying hazards, assessing risks, and implementing effective controls. Whether you're in manufacturing, services, or construction, ISO 45001 can be adapted to your business. On this page, you will discover: what is ISO 45001, the advantages of having it, how to achieve certification and how we can help you!

What is ISO 45001?

ISO 45001 is the international standard for Occupational Health and Safety Management Systems (OHSMS). Published by the International Organization for Standardization (ISO), it helps businesses proactively prevent workplace injuries, illnesses, and fatalities.

At its core, ISO 45001 focuses on:

Risk identification and prevention,
Legal and regulatory compliance, and
Continuous improvement in health and safety performance.

It applies to organisations of all sizes and industries, from manufacturing and engineering to healthcare, IT, and professional services.

The advantages...

Implementing ISO 45001 is about more than ticking boxes — it’s about creating a culture of safety and responsibility. Here are the key benefits:

Improved Workplace Safety - ISO 45001 helps reduce accidents, injuries, and occupational illnesses through structured risk assessment and management.

Legal Compliance - Stay ahead of legal requirements by proactively managing health and safety regulations relevant to your business.

Enhanced Reputation - Demonstrating a commitment to employee wellbeing can boost your reputation among clients, employees, and partners.

Reduced Costs - Fewer incidents mean fewer disruptions, lower insurance premiums, and less downtime — all of which lead to cost savings.

Increased Employee Morale and Retention - When staff feel safe and supported, engagement and loyalty go up.

Competitive Advantage - Many clients, particularly in high-risk industries, prefer or require ISO 45001 certification when selecting suppliers.

How to achieve ISO 45001 Certification?

Becoming certified involves a step-by-step process to build and implement an effective occupational health and safety system:

Understand the Standard - Familiarize yourself with ISO 45001:2018 and determine how it applies to your operations.

Conduct a Gap Analysis - Compare your current health and safety practices with ISO requirements to identify any shortcomings.

Develop the OHSMS - Design a system that includes policies, risk assessments, procedures, objectives, and roles tailored to your organisation.

Train Employees - Provide training to all relevant staff so they understand their roles and responsibilities in ensuring health and safety.

Perform Internal Audits - Test your system with an internal audit to find and fix issues before the official certification audit.

Management Review - Top management should evaluate the system’s effectiveness and approve any necessary adjustments.

Certification - Find a UKAS accredited certification body to conduct a formal audit. Once you have demonstrated that you have met the criteria, you will be granted ISO 45001:2018 certification.

How we can help you!

We support businesses throughout the entire ISO 45001 certification journey — from planning to implementation and beyond. Here’s how we can help:

Gap Assessments - We assess your current processes and identify what needs to be improved.

System Development - We design a custom Occupational Health and Safety Management System that meets ISO standards and fits your business, based on over a decade of experience in the industry.

Training & Awareness - We provide hands-on training and resources to get your team aligned with the new system.

Documentation Support - From risk assessments to processes, we ensure all required documentation is audit-ready.

Internal Audits - We plan and conduct your internal audits, ensuring they are accurate, robust and compliant.

Management Review - We can support you through your "management review", ensuring the right information is recorded, the clauses of the standard are plans are established to achieve continual improvement.

Certification Process - With over a decade of experience in the certification industry, we know the process inside and out — and we’re here to guide you every step of the way. We also know which certification bodies are truly reputable — and which ones to avoid.

Ongoing Support - Even after certification, we offer ongoing support to help you maintain and continuously improve your OHSMS.

Ready to create a safer workplace?

ISO 45001 empowers businesses to put what matters most first — the health and safety of their people. Whether you're building a safety management system from the ground up or looking to enhance an existing one, we provide the expertise to help you achieve compliance with clarity and confidence.

Ready to strengthen your workplace safety? Contact us today to begin your ISO 45001 certification journey.