Recently, the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) published ISO 45001, Occupational Health and Safety Management Systems – Requirements with Guidance for Use. This new global standard provides practical solutions for worker safety that are similar to other safety management system standards used in the workforce.

While many organizations already have a system in place, it is important for all professionals to familiarize themselves with this new standard to discover new and improved ways to implement the best safety system possible for their organization.
The challenge of integrating ISO’s new standard into an already existing safety management system is also an opportunity to affect organizational change. Here are 3 steps to take to begin this process:
  1. Examine and improve your current system
    • If your organization does not currently have a safety system, ISO 45001 is a great resource to use in order to develop one.
    • If your organization already uses another system, review ISO 45001 to discover areas to improve upon or adjust within you current safety management system.
  2. Engage with stakeholders
    • This is a great opportunity for safety professionals to bring occupational health & safety to the forefront and demonstrate its importance and benefits to leaders at all levels.
    • This engagement can create a ripple effect in promoting safety as a core value within your organization.
  3. Determine priorities and establish goals
    • By examining your current safety system and gathering feedback from both leaders and workers, organizations can establish newfound priorities and goals that relate safety success to overall business success.
    • If properly communicated and implemented, this business success will be manifested through reduced workplace incidents and insurance costs, enhanced reputation, and overall higher morale.

To learn more about ISO 45001, please click on the link below.

ISO 45001 Site

STC’s Vision for Success

Safety TrainingAt STC, we are focused on preserving the world’s most precious resource – human life. In order to do that, we understand the importance of building and sustaining effective safety management systems that produce tangible results over time.

In order to implement this type of safety system, STC follows the practical framework of Plan-Do-Check Act (PDCA) which is included in ISO 45001. The 4 steps are summarized below:
Plan:
  • Identify safety hazards and risks in the workplace
  • Build and/or revise safety policies, programs & procedures
  • Establish safety goals & objectives moving forward

Do:

  • Put preventive & protective measures in place
  • Communicate safety policies and procedures to organization
  • Execute safety inspections/audits, training, meetings, investigations

Check:

  • Monitor and measure safety activities
  • Leverage technology for the trending and tracking of data
  • Analyze results consistently

Act:

  • Review safety results in comparison to set goals
  • Hold people and divisions accountable (positive or negative)
  • Improve overall plan and continue the cycle

As you can tell, this process is simplified to create a framework that gives way to continual improvement over time. STC Safety works with both leaders and employees to help build and sustain the safest working environment possible.

If you are interested in learning more about STC Safety and ways in which we can help your organization develop an effective safety management system, simply reply back to this email or call our office at the number listed below.