A Critical Standard for the ASSP Community and Beyond
For safety, health, and well-being professionals, ISO 45001 is more than just a standard—it's the world's most important global framework for occupational health and safety (OH&S) management. By providing a single, internationally recognized system, it empowers companies to systematically reduce risks, improve workplace safety, and enhance overall worker well-being.
The American Society of Safety Professionals (ASSP) plays a vital role in this global effort. As the administrator to ANSI for ISO TC283, the technical committee responsible for the ISO 45000 family of standards, ASSP helps shape the future of safety worldwide.
The Global Importance of ISO 45001
ISO 45001, the flagship of the ISO 45000 family, was published in 2018 and has since seen rapid adoption, with 397,339 valid certificates issued worldwide by the end of 2022.
Here’s why this standard is globally essential for the safety community:
- Creates a Universal Framework: Before 2018, organizations relied on various national or regional standards like OHSAS 18001. ISO 45001 established the first universally applicable OH&S standard, ensuring consistent safety practices across complex global supply chains and operations.
- Emphasizes Proactive Risk Management: The standard shifts the focus from merely reacting to incidents to actively identifying and controlling hazards in the workplace. It mandates systematic risk assessment, which is crucial for preventing accidents, injuries, and illnesses before they can occur.
- Requires True Commitment and Participation: Effective implementation requires the full commitment of top management and the active involvement of workers at every level. This approach cultivates a comprehensive safety culture, moving past the idea of delegating safety to a single department.
Tangible Benefits for Your Organization
Implementing ISO 45001 drives improved OH&S performance, which translates directly into significant business benefit:
| Business Benefit | Impact |
|---|
| Cost Reduction | Lower costs from fewer incidents, reduced insurance premiums, and less operational downtime. |
| Productivity | Increased productivity and enhanced overall operational efficiency. |
| Reputation | Enhanced credibility with customers, investors, and regulatory bodies. |
| Employee Morale | Improved retention and morale by demonstrating a solid commitment to worker well-being. |
Furthermore, in today's interconnected global economy, having an ISO-certified management system is often a competitive advantage or even a requirement for securing new international business.
Advancing Safety Through ASSP Leadership
The development and ongoing support of this crucial standard is a massive international undertaking. ISO TC283 has 80 participating members and 26 observing members from countries around the world.
ASSP members are at the forefront of this work. Through the ASSP Standards Development and Technical Services, professionals like Tim Fisher, Chief Technical Officer for Safety, Health, and Well-Being, are helping guide the United States' role in this standardization effort.
The Value of Your ASSP Membership:
By being a part of ASSP, you are directly connected to the source of global best practices and standards development. Your membership:
- Puts you at the table where the future of standards like ISO 45001 is being decided.
- Gives you access to the expertise and networking required to understand and implement a management system structured similarly to other ISO standards, such as ISO 9001 (Quality) and ISO 14001 (Environment).
- Empowers you with the knowledge to control your organization's OH&S risks and continuously improve performance.
The work of OHS experts is critical. The International Labour Organization reports that over 7,600 people die every single day from work-related accidents or diseases. The ISO committee developing the 45000 family set out to create a standard with the potential to save almost three million lives each year.
Your involvement with ASSP fuels this life-saving mission.