From BS OHSAS 18001 to ISO 45001

Author: Patrick Brom

Apr 03, 2025Audit / Safety at work

DEKRA's 8-step plan to prepare for ISO 45001

Until 2021, BS OHSAS 18001 was the international standard for occupational health and safety management systems. BS OHSAS 18001 has now been replaced by ISO 45001. To obtain certification for this current standard, you must draw up an internal action plan containing all the necessary steps, from training on ISO 45001 to the final certification. DEKRA has drawn up an 8-step plan to help you develop such an action plan. Read all about it in this blog.

What is BS OHSAS 18001?

Until 2021, BS OHSAS 18001 was a widely used international standard for setting up and managing an occupational health and safety management system. The standard BS OHSAS 18001 provided a structured approach to identifying risks, establishing control measures, and continuously improving. Many organizations used BS OHSAS 18001 to demonstrably guarantee occupational safety and have it certified by an independent party.

What is ISO 45001?

ISO 45001 is the successor to BS OHSAS 18001 and is the current international standard for management systems for health and safety at work. The standard places greater emphasis on leadership and management involvement, embedding safety in business operations, and proactive risk management. ISO 45001 certification also ties in well with other ISO management standards, making it easier to integrate with existing systems.

From BS OHSAS 18001 to ISO 45001

BS OHSAS 18001 stood for the British Occupational Health and Safety Assessment Series. The revision of the standard in 2018 was accompanied by a three-year transition period. Since 2021, the standard BS OHSAS 18001 has been completely phased out. Organizations must now undergo a full audit procedure to obtain ISO 45001 certification. Please note that this can take a considerable amount of time and resources. However, it is very important that you have your existing occupational health and safety management system (OHSM system) assessed against the ISO 45001 standard. ISO 45001 is the only international and independent standard for operational health and safety management systems.

ISO 45001 certification: a structured 8-step plan

Preparing for ISO 45001 certification requires a well-thought-out approach. By drawing up a clear action plan, you can ensure the smooth and successful implementation of ISO 45001. Below, we present a structured 8-step plan to bring your occupational health and safety management system (OHSM) into compliance with the ISO 45001 standard.

1. Identify those responsible and put together a project team

Identify the employees responsible for ISO 45001 certification. Consider setting up a project team to coordinate implementation efficiently.

2. Train employees

3. Identify gaps in your OHSM system

4. Develop an action plan

5. Update your OHSM system

6. Train internal auditors

7. Evaluate the effectiveness of your OHSM system

8. Make an appointment

More information about BS OHSAS 18001 / ISO 45001

Do you have another question about ISO 45001 or BS OHSAS 18001? First, read our ISO 45001 FAQ. Are you considering ISO 45001 certification for your organization? Our experts are happy to provide more information about the standard. Please contact us using the contact form below.

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