Publication Date Set for New Global Safety Standard
A highly anticipated global safety standard aimed at creating safer workplaces everywhere will be published on March 12, according to the Switzerland-based International Organization for Standardization that spearheaded the five-year development process with support from the American Society of Safety Engineers.
Companies can purchase a hard copy of ISO 45001 Occupational Health and Safety Management Systems from ASSE beginning the week of the standard’s publication.
The voluntary consensus standard provides a framework that companies can use to increase employee safety, reduce workplace risks, and improve business outcomes worldwide.
Development began in 2013, with ASSE serving as the administrator of the U.S. technical advisory group to the American National Standards Institute. The multiyear process included input from more than 75 countries across six continents.
‘Opportunity to Move the Needle’
“ISO 45001 is one of the most significant developments in workplace safety over the past 50 years, presenting an opportunity to move the needle on reducing occupational safety and health risks,” says TAG Chair Vic Toy, CSP, CIH.
ISO 45001 is one of the most significant developments in workplace safety over the past 50 years.
According to ASSE, the outcome over time will be safer and healthier workplaces around the world as companies adopt the groundbreaking safety standard to reduce injuries, illnesses, and fatalities.
ASSE has taken initial steps to pursue adoption of ISO 45001 as an American national standard. If that effort is successful this year, the document would be titled "ISO/ANSI/ASSE 45001-2018."
The organization is currently creating training and professional development materials in response to significant interest from occupational safety and health professionals.
"Better management of risk is needed by businesses in every industry to not only protect their human capital, but to achieve growth and sustainability objectives while improving their bottom line," says TAG Vice Chair Kathy A. Seabrook, CSP, CFIOSH, EurOSHM.
"ISO 45001 is a tool to help organizations do just that."
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