ISO 45001 in Canada
About ISO 45001
ISO 45001 sets out the requirements for an Occupational Health and Safety Management System (OH&SMS), with guidance to help organizations provide a safe and healthy working environment for workers and visitors. It is a framework for preventing and reducing work-related injuries and ill health. Certification also helps reduce operational waste and unnecessary costs, and by protecting personnel it supports more productive operations.
ISO 45001 vs OHSAS 18001
ISO 45001 was published in March 2018 and replaced the earlier OHSAS 18001 (organizations were given a migration period, which ended in 2021). ISO 45001 is a new standard rather than a simple update: a key difference is that it focuses on an organization’s interaction with its broader business environment, where OHSAS 18001 concentrated on hazards and internal issues. ISO 45001 is designed to support long-term success.
ISO 45001 certification
ISO 45001 certification verifies that ISO standards are being followed to manage occupational health and safety – including risk assessment, accident investigation, safety information, worker training, and engagement with internal and external stakeholders. Certification demonstrates your commitment to the health and well-being of your employees and to continuous safety improvement.
Certification requirements
Once you have an OH&S management system in place, certification is relatively straightforward. The steps are:
- Create and implement an ISO 45001-compliant management system.
- Arrange an audit with a reputable certification body.
- An external auditor reviews your processes and implementation to confirm compliance.
- Address any non-conformities identified during the audit.
- Once the non-conformities are resolved, the certificate is awarded by the certification body.
Who can apply for ISO 45001 certification?
ISO 45001 was designed with all industries in mind, regardless of an organization’s size, type, or field of activity. It is recommended for all businesses, especially those looking to apply a global standard for workplace health and safety. Some contracts, RFPs, or RFQs may require or recommend adherence to the standard, in which case certification can be a real advantage.
Benefits of ISO 45001 certification
- International recognition that helps you expand into global markets
- A global benchmark for high standards in occupational health and safety
- A proactive way to reduce the likelihood of workplace accidents
- An enhanced reputation for following recognized workplace-safety practices
- An unbiased, third-party audit of your procedures and processes
- Comprehensive documentation of your OH&S management system, adding value to business assets
ISO 45001 training programs
Training prepares employees and managers for certification and is an essential part of building a compliant OH&S system. The main courses are:
- Lead Auditor Training: ISO 45001 Lead Auditor Training builds your skills and confidence to conduct a thorough audit of an OH&S management system – planning, conducting, and managing an audit – and equips you to conduct third-party audits.
- Internal Auditor Training: provides instruction in auditing OH&S systems, including the checklists and tools used during certification, and how to measure an OH&S management system for compliance.
- Awareness Training: introduces the requirements to all employees, covering the principles of OH&S management and the system requirements, to help prepare the organization for certification.
Contact IAS today to learn more about ISO 45001, or visit our frequently asked questions page.
Explore more
- ISO 45001 Certification in Canada – OH&S management certification
- ISO 45001 Training in Canada – lead auditor, internal auditor, and awareness courses
- ISO 14001 in Canada – environmental management, often integrated with OH&S
Frequently Asked Questions
What is ISO 45001?
The international standard for an Occupational Health and Safety Management System, helping organizations prevent work-related injury and ill health.
Is ISO 45001 mandatory in Canada?
No - OH&S is regulated provincially and federally, and certification is voluntary. But it helps organizations meet those obligations and demonstrate due diligence.
Did ISO 45001 replace OHSAS 18001?
Yes - ISO 45001 was published in March 2018, and the migration from OHSAS 18001 ended in 2021.
Who should get certified?
Any organization, of any size or sector, that wants to manage workplace health and safety to a recognized standard.
What training is available?
Lead Auditor, Internal Auditor, and Awareness courses, in classroom and online formats.
