New Content Structure: The first obvious change to users is the new ‘harmonised’ content structure, which fits with the new 14001 (environment) and the new 45001 (safety) management systems standards and facilitates better alignment and integration for organisations with multiple systems. Alignment also allows for consistency in definitions of some of the important terms used in the standards.

Leadership: The new standard increases clarity and requirements relating to the role of top management and measurable commitment and involvement.

Risk: Maybe the most significant change in thinking (yet to see how much it will result in changes to practices) is the introduction of the concept of ‘risk’ and ‘risk-based thinking’. While many users may feel the idea of risk may always have been implicit in the standard, the revisions require it to be considered and integrated into the entire system. ISO 14001 and the new 45001 already define risk in terms relevant to the content of the standard, so the new ISO 9001 will define risk in terms of product or service conformity and customer satisfaction.

Context of the Organisation: The new standard places a stronger focus on the understanding of the ‘context’ of an organisation and the needs and expectations of stakeholders (e.g. clients or customers, end users, suppliers or regulators).

Terminology: A new term, ‘documented information’, is introduced. This term covers information and data processed by software to make it more relevant or ‘user friendly’ to the organisation, and is likely to replace the traditional terms ‘documents’ and ‘records’. The term ‘preventive action’ has been removed from the draft wording because it is considered unnecessary to have a specific clause on preventive action with the introduction of risk-based thinking will uses elimination as the first step in a risk management hierarchy.

So…a few things for quality crusaders to think about – let me know what you think of the changes by leaving a comment.

Catch you soon!

The new ISO 45001 has been based around the requirements of OHSAS 18001, so users of AS/NZS 4801 will find the changes to layout and language more pronounced. The overall aim of the standard remains the same, but there are some interesting revisions and additions.

New Content Structure: The first obvious change to users is the new ‘harmonised’ content structure, which fits with 14001 and 9001 and facilitates better alignment and integration for organisations with multiple systems. Alignment also allows for consistency in definitions of some of the important terms used in the standards.

Leadership and the Context of the Organisation: The new standard places a much stronger focus on the ‘context’ of an organisation, as well as a stronger role for top management and leadership similar to what is already embedded in ISO 14001 and ISO 9001. The organisation now needs to consider and address foreseeable internal and external risks that could impact its activities and health and safety performance, such as the introduction of new equipment, regulatory impacts, people issues (e.g. availability of competent workers, injury rehab).

Risks We Can Influence: Just as ISO 14001 did for environmental risks, the idea of considering and addressing health and safety risks associated with outsourcing services to contractors and others is included in the draft standard. Many organisations already manage contractors on their worksites well. It will be interesting to see interpretations of this, and just how far along the supply chain organisations will be expected to go.

Terminology: A new term, ‘documented information’, is introduced. This term covers information and data processed by software to make it more relevant or ‘user friendly’ to the organisation, and is likely to replace the traditional terms ‘documents’ and ‘records’. The term ‘preventive action’ has also been removed from the draft wording of ISO 45001 because it is considered unnecessary to have a specific clause on preventive action when one of the main reasons for having a safety system is to prevent injury and illness. Lastly, the standard will attempt to address some of the inconsistencies created by the various definitions of ‘workers’ and ‘workplaces’ across the world, especially in terms of certification scope.

So…a completely new look and some interesting new concepts. More to come as we digest the draft.

Catch you soon!

Public consultation on the Draft International Standard (ISO 14001 DIS) between July and October 2014 has now been completed. As a member of the IEMA I was lucky enough to be able to see both Committee Drafts and comment on the standards before they became public. I’m looking forward to seeing the Final Draft in February 2015. Interesting times ahead…

Catch you soon!

The Committee Draft version of ISO 45001:2015 is now available for purchase – click here to purchase a copy.

Catch you soon!

The draft version of ISO 9001:2015 is now available for purchase – click here to purchase a copy.

Catch you soon!

The draft version of ISO 14001:2015 is now available for purchase – click here to purchase a copy.

Catch you soon!

P.S. Word on the grapevine is that there will be a 2 year transition period.

• Oct 2016: The revised ISO 45001 will be adopted and published, and the transitional period for organisations with certifications will begin.
• Mid 2015: Final Draft International Standard (FDIS).
• Oct 2014: Draft International Standard (DIS).
• July 2014: First Committee Draft 1 (CD1) prepared for feedback.

Catch you soon!

Because the standard is currently at the Committee Draft stage, details are still a little sketchy but we know the new standard will follow the same structure as ISO 9001:2015 and ISO 14001:2015. This already indicates that there will be a stronger focus on the context of organisations, implicit in the quality and environment management systems standards. The idea of context requires organisations to look beyond health and safety within their own facilities and to take into account the working conditions along the supply chain – design, procurement and contractor management.

A second change we can expect is a stronger role for top management, as is already the case in ISO 14001 and ISO 9001. Health and safety will need to become a central part of the organisation’s overall management system, requiring a demonstrable commitment from top management.

I’ll keep you posted as more comes to light. Catch you soon!

• Sept 2015: The revised ISO 9001 will be adopted and published, and the transitional period for organisations with certifications will begin.
• Jan 2015: FDIS for ballot.
• Nov 2014: Final Draft International Standard (FDIS).
• March 2014: Draft International Standard (DIS).
• April 2013: First Committee Draft 1 (CD1) prepared for feedback.

Catch you soon!