What is the difference between OHSAS 18001 and ISO 45001?

• Structure

One of the biggest difference between OHSAS 18001 and ISO 45001 is structure of the standard. The structure of ISO 45001 is based on the Annex-L framework which is a high level structure (HLS) introduced by ISO (International Standards Organization).

Technical team of Annex-L designed it to harmonize the ISO standards with other ISO standards of quality, environment, food safety and information security management system.

It will remain helpful for the organization to integrate more than one standard in their organization without missing any imporant clause and its essence however, in OHSAS 18001 there was no feature existing at all.

• Hazard identification

ISO 45001 also places a greater emphasis on risk management. Unlike OHSAS, which only focused on controlling known hazards, 45001 requires organizations to proactively identify sources or situations that have the potential to cause harm

• Management commitment

Another change from OHSAS 18001 to ISO 45001 is a greater emphasis on management commitment and involvement. Under ISO 45001, safety management is no longer just the safety manager’s job. The new standard calls for C-suite executives to take an active and visible role in the safety program.