ISO 45001 will replace OHSAS 18001 in 2017 (currently proposed timeframe for final publication). A draft of the new standard was published in early 2016, with comments on the proposed requirements accepted through May 2016. A second draft of ISO 45001 is expected to be released in late 2016 or early 2017, with the final standard expected to be published at the end of 2017.
The new international standard is designed to allow organizations to tailor occupational health and safety management systems to their workplace more effectively. The requirements for ISO 45001 are process-oriented instead of focused on ensuring that a specific procedure is adopted. This will allow organizations to develop an occupational health and safety management program that addresses the specific risks of their workplace.
