How to transition from OHSAS 18001:2007 to ISO 45001:2016

It has been announced that OHSAS 18001 is changing into ISO 45001 next year. So far there has been an initial draft copy issued – DIS 45001. In preparation for this transition Australian businesses currently accredited with OHSAS18001:2007 will need to identify the gaps in their current systems and bring up to speed with ISO45001:2016.

WHEN WILL ISO 45001 BE AVAILABLE?

A second draft version of ISO 45001 is now available, however, this is not a public draft document and will only be available to selected people.

The final approved version of ISO 45001:2016 will be published in mid-2017.

HOW SOON CAN I TRANSITION FROM OHSAS 18001 TO ISO 45001 WITHOUT ACCESS TO THE DIS?

It may be useful to start communicating internally that OHSAS 18001 is changing to ISO 45001. You should start to look at your processes to see if they are in line with the new high-level structure; but take note that your system must remain compliant with the requirements of OHSAS 8001:2007 until the new standard has been released.

HOW LONG WILL OHSAS 18001:2007 CONTINUE TO BE RECOGNIZED?

The current standard will be recognized and can be audited until the end of the 3-year transition period for ISO 45001:2016 (expected October 2019).

WHAT ARE THE MAIN CHANGES EXPECTED IN ISO 45001?

There are now 10 clauses, which is a significant departure from OHSAS 18001. The requirements are better organised around the new 10 clause structure which all the other Management System standards will follow in the future (including ISO 9001 and ISO 14001).

    1.0    Scope  

    2.0    Normative References  

    3.0    Terms and Definitions

    4.0    Context of the Organisation

4.1 Context of the Organisation: The intention of this is to ensure that the organisation has a high-level understanding of the important issues that can affect, either positively or negatively, the way the organisation manages its responsibilities in relation to the OH&S Management System for persons working under its control.

4.2 Understanding the needs and expectations of interested parties: The organisation needs to establish whom the interested parties (such as legislative bodies, clients, the public, etc.) are and whether or not they are relevant to OH&S, and to identify the needs and expectations that those interested parties have.

    5.0  Leadership

5.0 Leadership: ISO 45001 adds an important new requirement; that top management has to demonstrate its leadership and commitment, and by taking accountability for the effectiveness of OH&S.

5.2 Policy: This now needs to make mention of the organisation’s commitment to continual improvement and has a commitment to worker participation and consultation.

    6.0    Planning

6.0 Planning: You now need to consider risk and opportunities associated to the issues you identified in 4.1 with regards to requirement(s) of the interested parties.

    7.0    Support

7.0 Support: This requirement takes into account the areas of Resources, Competence, Awareness, Communication and Documented Information. 

    8.0    Operations

8.0 Operations: This requirement takes into account the areas of Operational Planning and Control, Management of Change, Outsourcing, Procurement, Contractors and Emergency Preparedness and Response.

    9.0    Performance Evaluation

9.0 Performance Evaluation: This requirement takes into account the areas of Monitoring, Measurement, Analysis and Evaluation, Evaluation of Compliance, Internal Audit and Management Review.

    10.0Improvement

10.0 Improvement: This requirement takes into account the areas of Incident, Nonconformity and Corrective Action and Continual Improvement.

The new concepts coming from Annex SL will, for many organisations and auditors, be tried and tested because they appear also in the updated version of ISO 9001 and ISO 14001. Organisations operating an Integrated Management System (IMS) will then have the unique opportunity to more easily align and integrate the three Management Systems and standards.

If youre looking for guidance and support to transition from OHSAS 18001 to ISO45001; contact ISOsafe today on 1300 789 132, with Specialists in every State/Territory of Australia we can assist businesses of all sizes in every industry.

Recycling company fined $175,000 after worker crushed under skid steer loader

A Geelong recycling company has been convicted and fined $175,000 following the death of a worker who was struck and run over by a skid steer loader at its Grovedale transfer station.
 
The Company pleaded guilty to one charge of failing to provide a safe working environment under the Occupational Health and Safety Act 2004 by failing to eliminate the risk of powered mobile plant colliding with pedestrians.

It was also ordered to pay $3,580 costs.

The Geelong Magistrates Court heard that on 6 May 2016 a 29-year-old yard hand working at the transfer station was walking back from a pile of waste carrying a sheet of material when he was struck by the skid steer loader as it was reversing.

The man then fell under the machine and was run over.  He died at the scene.

The court heard that while The Company had some safety measures in place at the time of the incident, including instructions for workers to keep certain distances from mobile machinery, these controls were not being monitored or adhered to.

It also heard that The Company did not have an adequate traffic management plan in place to separate workers from the machine while it was operating, and that workers were allowed to work in and around the machine.
 
Safety measures that should be considered include:
• Ensuring workers are provided with appropriate training and supervision.
• Ensuring workers and members of the public (such as pedestrians, cyclists and motorists) are isolated and separated from powered machinery and vehicles. 
• Ensuring appropriate signage is in place and barriers are erected where appropriate. 
• Identifying  and controlling visibility issues, particularly if lighting is poor (eg. fog, rain, night works).
• Ensuring the machinery is regularly inspected and maintained.
 
ISOsafe provide workplace  training, at your location and prepare compliance documents such as Traffic Management Plans to ensure complete compliance. Avoid workplace incidents and costly penalties – call ISOsafe today on 1300 789 132.

Safety Plan For Your Business | OHS Compliance

We prepare customised Safety Plans for projects and businesses Australia-wide.

Safety Plans are sometimes also called:

• WHS Management Plan

• OHS Management Plan

• Site Specific Safety Management Plan

• Project Safety Construction Plan

• WHS Construction Safety Plan

• Construction Safety Management Plan

• Health and Safety Plan

Whatever the type and size of business you run, the Work Health and Safety (WHS) Act 2011 affects you. Everyone from the sole trader to the largest corporation has equal responsibility for ensuring their workplace is safe.

Health and safety laws require contractors (such as Builders, Shopfitters and Project Managers) to prepare a Safety Plan for any workplace where the value of construction work exceeds $250,000.

Although not legally required for projects under $250,000, Safety Plans are recommended for use by contractors as written evidence of a living and breathing health and safety program.

·         Our Safety Plans help contractors meet their obligations and allows you to:

·         Be able to easily and quickly distribute the completed plan to subcontractors and clients

·         Ensure you are using a compliant and up-to-date plan

·         Save time by re-using information from previous plans to create new, similar plans

·         The most trusted provider of Safety policy and procedures in Australia

·         Free phone support to help you every step of the way

We make Safety simple. We take care of everything for you, allowing you to focus on running your business and getting the job done.

We are also able to prepare Environmental Plans and Quality Plans to help you manage all aspects of compliance and client needs. Get in touch today for a fast free quote 1300 789 132

How to get ISO 9001

Preparing your business for certification to standards such as ISO 9001 or ISO 45001 can seem daunting. If you’re looking to get ISO 9001 certified for the first time (or recertified due to a lapsed accreditation). We can help.

Below you’ll find a step-by-step guide on how to get ISO 9001 certified quickly all the while benefiting from the experience by improving the goods and services your business produces.

STEP ONE: CHOOSE THE RIGHT CERTIFICATION FOR YOUR BUSINESS

The first step for any organisation is making sure that the ISO or Australian Standard (AS) you’ve chosen is the right fit for your organisation. In many instances, your potential customers or clients may require your business to hold a specific endorsement, such as ISO 9001.

STEP TWO: FAMILIARISE YOURSELF WITH THE STANDARD

Buying a copy of the standard can be useful, but isn’t necessarily required. In truth, the jargon involved may even put you off! This is where ISOsafe can add value to the process. We are able to guide you and your business through the ISO 9001 certification process from start to finish. As part of our service we are able to bring experience and professionally prepared systems to ensure your business is certified, without disruption and unnecessary costs.

STEP THREE: LEADING THE WAY

Implementing an ISO management system needs to be an organisation-wide. This can only be done with the involvement of management at each level.

ISOsafe are able to deliver training to all staff and management at your location to ensure good habits are formed.

STEP FOUR: USING A CONSULTANT

We provide consultancy services in addition to training and the documentation needed to get certified to ISO 9001.

Beware of ‘ready made’ management systems which may not suit your organisation.

STEP FIVE: SELECT A CERTIFICATION BODY

It’s important to know exactly what you’re getting when engaging a certification body. JAS-ANZ recognised certification bodies are best placed to issue ISO 9001 certificates.

ISOsafe are able to recommend the most appropriate certification body for your business based on your business’ needs.

STEP SIX: DEVELOPING A MANAGEMENT SYSTEM

The ISO management standards are designed to be generic, applicable to organisations of all sizes and industry sectors. Whilst the standards provide a framework for good management practice, they do not provide detailed steps or information the ISO 9001 auditor may be looking for.

ISOsafe’s experts are able to advise and prepare tailored documents avoiding costly failed audits; making for a faster, smoother certification process.

STEP SEVEN: THE INTERNAL AUDIT

Before any certification audit it is important to have internally audited your ISO system.

ISOsafe’s 9001 experts are able to internally audit your management system, providing a detailed report and documenting all meetings to ensure your certification audit is a success.

STEP EIGHT: GETTING ISO 9001 CERTIFIED

The process starts with what’s known as a ‘Stage 1 Audit’. This is when an certification body auditor reviews your existing systems and provides you with a gap analysis report which will identify the actions required to meet the standard. ISOsafe are able to close any gaps following this audit, making the necessary changes to satisfy the requirements of the relevant ISO standard.

At this point your organisation will be ready to proceed to ‘Stage 2 Audit’. This audit will reveal the effectiveness of your management system and whether it meets all the requirements of the specific ISO standard you wish to be certified to (e.g. ISO 9001 and/or ISO 14001). If you are fully compliant, you will be recommended for certification. The auditor’s report will then be checked via an approvals process and if no anomalies are identified, certification is officially awarded.

STEP NINE: MAINTAINING YOUR CERTIFICATION

The maintenance of your management system is where the hard work really starts. Continued buy-in from everyone is important for implementation to succeed, and for you to gain the true benefit of becoming certified.

ISOsafe are able to provide your business with the ongoing support and training needed to consistently achieve certification.

WHY ISOsafe?

ISOsafe are Australia's leading HR, Employment Law and Health & Safety consultancy firm. We have helped over 3000 businesses with expert training, advice & compliance documentation.

We also develop, implement and audit ISO Quality (ISO 9001), Safety (ISO 45001 / OHSAS 18001 / ASNZS 4801), Environmental (ISO 14001) and Integrated Management Systems (IMS).

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