What is the main difference between OHSAS 18001 vs ISO 45001?

Difference between ISO 45001 and OHSAS 18001- a star legal associates

What is the main difference between OHSAS 18001 vs ISO 45001?

Last updated on March 31st, 2025 at 07:05 am

Both ISO 45001 and OHSAS 18001 are the international standards for Occupational Health and Safety management systems. 

OHSAS 18001 standard is for Occupational Health and Safety Standard that identifies the risk. Later, it was replaced by ISO 45001.

Many changes were made to make the health and safety standards more efficient. ISO-45001 is implemented to reduce accidents and manage the risks in the workplace.

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What is OHSAS 18001?

OHSAS 18001 stands for Occupational Health and Safety Assessment. This standard provides a better OH&S management framework that includes all legal compliance and hazards management elements. The OHSAS 18001 certification came in the year 1999.

What is ISO 45001?

ISO 45001 standards are management systems for occupational health and safety. This standard came out in March 2018. The ISO 45001 standard focuses on reducing occupational diseases and damages. It also includes protecting and promoting mental and physical health. Organizations can obtain occupational health and safety management certification to limit and prevent accidents in the workplace.

Why did OHSAS 18001 Change to ISO 45001

OHSAS 18001 was to make changes to ISO 45001 to provide a proactive approach to manage the workplace risks. ISO 45001 also aligns with other standards like ISO 9001, ISO 14001, and ISO 22000. It emphasizes leadership involvement and engages more workers. ISO 45001 focuses on the overall well-being of the workers at the workplace.

What is the main Difference Between ISO 45001  vs OHSAS 18001?

ISO 45001OHSAS 18001
Structure and alignmentIt aligns with other standardsIt doesn’t align with other standards
Risk-based approachProactiveReactive
Leadership & worker involvementhigherlower
Top management involvementRequired Not required
Focus Focus on opportunities and risksFocus only on risks
Clause dynamicsMore Less 
Implementation Focus on processFocus on procedures

Innovations added in ISO 45001

Section 4. Context of the Organisation: This clause defines the general necessities of the OHSAS 18001 certification.

The two new subdivisions also contain-

  • Understand the firm and its context.
  • Understand the needs of concerned parties.

Section 5. Leadership: organizational roles, Policies, responsibilities, authorities, and duties are all transferred from the OHSAS 18001 standard.

A new important requirement of the worker and Leadership involves-

  • Management must establish commitment and leadership by taking responsibility for the efficiency of occupational health.

Section 6. Planning: The organization is required to consider the opportunities and risks related to the issues identified in item 4.1. Replace the Preventive action and reduce the requirement for corrective action. The need for risk & hazards has expanded, also focusing on opportunities and risks related to stakeholders.

Section 7. Support: The necessities of this clause regard the areas:

  • The Resources
  • The Competence
  • The Awareness
  • The Communication
  • The documented information

Section 8. Operation: There are no specific modifications, just more specific items compared to the OHSAS 18001 standard. 

Contains necessities on:

  • Operational Control and Planning 
  • Modification of Management 
  • The Outsourcing
  • The Procurement
  • Emergency Preparedness and Response Plans

Section 9. Performance Evaluation: This section considers the requirements of the following:

  • Monitoring of the organization
  • Evaluation and Analysis 
  • The Compliance assessment
  • The Internal audit
  • The Management review

Section 10. Improvement: This section considers requirements for the following Incidents.

  • The Nonconformities
  • The Corrective Activities 
  • The Continuous Advancement

ISO 45001 Introduction And Replacement of OHSAS 18001: Reasons

  • Improving occupational safety and health
  • Helping companies become more efficient
  • For companies to get more ethical
  • To reduce the negative impact on health and safety incidents

Benefits of ISO 45001 over OHSAS 18001

  • Enhanced leadership commitment
  • Better alignment with other ISO standards
  • Stronger focus on Risk-based thinking
  • Continuous improvement
  • Global Recognition
  • Greater worker engagement

Who Can Get ISO 45001 Certification? 

  • Manufacturing Industry
  • Chemical industry 
  • Pharmaceutical industry
  • Medical industry
  • Construction industry 
  • Oil & Gas industry 
  • Engineering organization  
  • Shipping industry 
  • Aerospace organization  
  • Food Industry
  • Automotive organization
  • Telecom Industry
  • Textile and Apparel Industry
  • Medical and Test Lab Industry
  • Electronic orgnaization 

Consultants

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Conclusion 

ISO 45001 vs OHSAS 18001: Both certifications focus more on reducing accidents and hazards at the workplace. The OHSAS 18001 certification was replaced by the ISO 45001 Certification. ISO 45001 certifications were created to fill some of the gaps in OHSAS 18001 certification. 

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