International Organization for Standardization Sets Publication Date for ISO 45001

Companies will be able to purchase a hard copy of ISO 45001 beginning on March 12, according to the American Society of Safety Engineers (ASSE) and International Organization for Standardization (ISO).

ISO, the Switzerland-based organization, along with support from ASSE, developed the new global standard in an effort to provide a framework that could work across any company.

“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,” said Vic Toy, U.S. technical advisory group (TAG) chair, in a statement. “The goal was to create a widely accepted standard that can produce a highly effective safety and health management system for an increasingly interconnected world, regardless of an organization’s size, location, supply chains or nature of work.”

The voluntary consensus standard provides a framework that companies can use to increase employee safety, reduce workplace risks and improve business outcomes worldwide, according to ASSE.

ASSE served as the administrator of the U.S. technical advisory group (TAG) to the American National Standards Institute (ANSI). The multi-year process included input from more than 75 countries across six continents.

The outcome over time will be safer and healthier workplaces around the world as companies adopt the groundbreaking standard to reduce injuries, illnesses and fatalities. Organizations looking to acquire the new global standard after it is published should visit ASSE’s ISO 45001 web page.

ASSE has taken initial steps to pursue adoption of ISO 45001 as an American national standard, according to the organization. If the effort is successful, the document would be titled “ISO/ANSI/ASSE 45001-2018.” The organization currently is 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,” said Kathy A. Seabrook, TAG vice chair, in a statement. “ISO 45001 is a tool to help organizations do just that.”