Health and safety in the workplace are the number one concern of most businesses, yet still deaths and injuries occur. ISO 45001 sets the minimum standard of practice to protect employees worldwide.

According to the International Labour Organization (ILO), there are currently more than 2.78 million deaths a year as a result of occupational accidents or work-related diseases, in addition to 374 million non-fatal injuries and illnesses. Aside from the enormous impact on families and communities, the cost to business and economies is significant.

ISO 45001, Occupational health and safety management systems – Requirements with guidance for use, is the world’s first International Standard for occupational health and safety (OH&S). It provides a framework to increase safety, reduce workplace risks and enhance health and well-being at work, enabling an organisation to proactively improve its OH&S performance.

ISO 45001 enables organisations to put in place an occupational health and safety (OH&S) management system. This will help them manage their OH&S risks and improve their OH&S performance by developing and implementing effective policies and objectives.

Key potential benefits from use of the standard include :

• Reduction of workplace incidents

• Reduced absenteeism and staff turnover, leading to increased productivity

• Reduced cost of insurance premiums

• Creation of a health and safety culture, whereby employees are encouraged to take an active role in their own OH&S

• Reinforced leadership commitment to proactively improve OH&S performance

• Ability to meet legal and regulatory requirements

• Enhanced reputation

• Improved staff morale

Certification to ISO 45001 is not a requirement of the standard but can be a useful tool to demonstrate that you meet its criteria. If you are already certified to OHSAS 18001, and while it is a very different standard, you will already have some of the necessary tools and systems in place to implement ISO 45001.

It's important to recognise ISO certification is not a single event, but rather an ongoing process that ensures your business complies with the requirements of its chosen standard.

The certification cycle is a three-year programme which starts with the Stage One audit. We investigate whether or not you have successfully managed to comply with the proposed scope and the targets you have set for your company. While this may show up some weaknesses and areas for improvement, this process is designed to be constructive, preparing you for the Stage Two audit.

Typically around 30 days later you will then have a Stage Two audit. This confirms that your processes and systems are free from nonconformities. Again, we will evaluate your performance and efficiency and make the recommendations for certification. There may still be a need to address nonconformities following this audit, but it's at this point you get your ISO certification.

The following two years will see annual Surveillance Audits by us. During these, all the elements covered in the Stage Two audit are re-assessed with a view to ensuring that all the original systems and processes are operating as specified and producing the correct outcomes.

Following these two years of Surveillance Audits, you will then get a Recertification Audit. Your ISO certificate is valid for three years after its initial issue. Recertification requires you to undergo an audit similar to the initial auditing process without the need for a Stage One audit.

Choosing AAA for your ISO certification means partnering with a trusted and experienced team dedicated to making the process as easy and efficient as possible. Our fully remote, expert-guided approach ensures that you can achieve certification quickly without the hassle of on-site audits or complicated procedures.

We offer some of the most competitive pricing in the industry, starting at just £695+VAT, making high-quality certification accessible to all businesses. Additionally, our detailed guidance and support throughout the process ensure that you meet all ISO standards with confidence, resulting in a certification that enhances your credibility and opens up new opportunities for growth.