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Similarities between ISO 45001 and ISO 14001

iso 45001 iso 14001 similiarities differences OHSMS EMS

Similarities between ISO 45001 and ISO 14001

ISO 45001 is an ISO Standard that addresses occupational health and safety issues in the workplace or work environment. The standard was produced in 2018 and phased out the OHSAS 18001 standard. ISO 14001:2015 on the other hand is a management system standard that deals with environmental issues. As we all know, ISO is not a certification organization but only develops standards that people and organizations can subscribe to. ISO has many standards, including ISO 14001 and ISO 45001. There are many similarities between ISO 45001:2018 and ISO 14001:2015.

Similarities between ISO 14001:2015 and ISO 45001:2018. 

1. ISO 14001:2015 AND ISO 45001:2018 are both produced by the ISO.

The ISO produces the two standards and is among the over 30000 standards created by the ISO.

2. The two Standards have a standard format and the same Annex L Structure.

All management system standards produced by ISO have the same annex l structure. It is a structure that makes the standard to have ten clauses.

3. Organisations can integrate the two standards as an integrated management system. 

The integration is possible because the standards have a common structure called Annex l structure. The standard format also follows the Plan Do Check and Act methodology. This common format makes it easy for the two standards to stand side by side when comparing them.

4. It has common management system processes.

The Common format for the standards also allows them to have processes identical to all management system standards. For example, we have processes such as internal audit, competence and awareness, control of documented information, etc.

5. Risk management.

The two standards allow you to assess risks associated with your work activities and put the necessary controls and measures in place to mitigate them. In ISO 45001:2015, It talks about OH&S risks, but in ISO 14001:2015, it talks about environmental risk.

6. Legal Requirements.

The two standards have a requirement to obtain legal requirements for work processes. Having these legal requirements in place will ensure compliance. 

Difference between ISO45001:2018 and ISO 14001:2015.

Even though we have been able to list the similarities between the two standards, there are still some differences between them. Let’s take a look at the differences.

1. Focus on worker participation.

It is only the ISO45001:2018 that has something on the involvement of workers in matters of health and safety. The standard includes involving the workers in creating and functioning the OHSMS.

2. Inclusion of incidents in the corrective actions process.

ISO 45001 Requires the management to include the need for corrective action when a workplace OH and S incident occurs to prevent recurrence and safeguard workers in the future. Other standards only included a process for corrective action when a process has some non-conformities. 

3. Focus on hazard elimination and risk minimization.

ISO 45001 focuses on minimizing the OH & S risks and making the workplace safer for all. Trying to eliminate hazards will reduce workplace risk, too.

4. Requirements for Procurement.

ISO 45001:2018 included the need for products and services from contractors and outsourcing agents to conform to OH & S management system processes. 

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