Relevant standards key to improved workplace safety
David Solomon FISQEM Certified Management Systems Specialist (lead)
Views expressed are my own, NOT my employers!
In October 2018, Standards Australia adopted the new ISO Occupational health and safety management systems – Requirements with guidance for use, standard as AS/NZS ISO 45001:2018
“AS/NZS ISO 45001 has given health and safety professionals in organisations of any size a new way to help manage the many safety risks in workplaces across the country,” said Head of Stakeholder Engagement, Daniel Chidgey.
“While AS/NZS ISO 45001 has now been published, this means that AS/NZS 4801:2001, Occupational health and safety management systems - Specification with guidance for use is now available superseded.”
The Technical Committee of Standards Australia responsible for these standards, SF-001 Occupational Health & Safety Management, has met many times to discuss 4801 and 45001 and how the two interact with legislation across the country.
Today, AS/NZS 4801:2001 remains a current Australian Standard cited in legislation across Australia. It is important to note, it is up to government authorities to decide whether available superseded standards should be referenced in legislation.
“After much consideration, the decision from the technical committee was made for the standard to be available superseded. However, AS/NZS ISO 45001:2018 is the most current Standard for Safety Management Systems, and should be considered by organisations wishing to maintain a contemporary Safety Management System,” said SF-001 Committee Member, David Solomon.
“The objective of this standard is to reduce workplace injuries and fatalities which is exactly why Standards Australia has been working with industry, government and the general public to ensure the current standard available to Australian organisations contains the most relevant and up to date information available,” said Mr Chidgey.
Trainer at Australian Organisation for Quality at Australian Organisation for Quality Ltd
5 年Hi Mike, I agree that 45001 is the best so far. Some might say its just a better version of AD4801 but I think that its a real chance for industry to have only one standard and stop others writing their own which confuses the heck out of industry. Of interest have been travelling on Indian and Vietnamese roads a lot recently and this could send a shudder up any safety expert. But what I noticed was that whilst not perfect, the results are not as bad as I would expect. Drivers don't hit each other despite no evident road rules, scant safety gear and incredible road behaviour. Thinking about the hierarchy of controls may not always be practical and things like resilience and adaptive behaviour come to thought.
Principal Consultant | Information Security
5 年Thanks David, really useful information.
HSE Manager at CD Construction Goup
5 年Thanks David for making this clearer that 45001 is the most contemporary safety management system standard.