OHSAS 18001:2007
Occupational health and safety management systems — Requirements
Standard Introduction
OHSAS 18001 was an internationally recognized standard for occupational health and safety management systems. It provided a framework for organizations to identify, control, and reduce workplace hazards while ensuring legal compliance and improving employee safety. As of March 2018, OHSAS 18001 has been superseded by ISO 45001:2018.
Organizations previously certified to OHSAS 18001 had until September 2021 to transition to ISO 45001. The new ISO 45001 standard incorporates a stronger emphasis on leadership engagement, worker participation, risk and opportunity management, and aligns with other ISO management system standards through the High Level Structure (HLS).
Hazard Identification
Systematic approach to identifying workplace hazards, assessing risks, and implementing controls to prevent injury and ill health.
Migration to ISO 45001
OHSAS 18001 was withdrawn in March 2021. Organizations must transition to ISO 45001:2018 to maintain certified OH&S management.
Worker Participation
Emphasizes consultation with workers on occupational health and safety matters, including risk assessment and incident investigation.
list_alt Key OH&S Elements
- OH&S policy and objectives
- Hazard identification and risk assessment
- Legal and other requirements
- Operational control procedures
- Emergency preparedness and response
- Incident investigation and corrective action
- Management review and continual improvement
Who Needs to Comply?
Organizations that were certified to OHSAS 18001 must migrate to ISO 45001:2018. The standard was historically used by manufacturing, construction, mining, and logistics companies.
Key Requirements
Hazard Identification
Establish procedures to identify hazards, assess OH&S risks, and determine necessary controls using the hierarchy of controls (elimination, substitution, engineering, administrative, PPE).
Legal Compliance
Identify and maintain access to applicable OH&S legal requirements. Periodically evaluate compliance with these obligations.
Operational Control
Implement and maintain controls for identified risks including safe work procedures, permit-to-work systems, and contractor management.
Incident Investigation
Investigate incidents and nonconformities to determine root causes, identify corrective actions, and identify opportunities for preventive action and continual improvement.
Penalties & Enforcement
No direct legal penalties for non-certification. OHSAS 18001 certificates are no longer valid after March 2021. Organizations must transition to ISO 45001 or lose their certified status.