Understanding the ISO 45001:2018 Standard Structure #
Objective: #
To provide participants with a clear understanding of how the ISO 45001 Occupational Health & Safety Management System (OHSMS) is structured, aligned with the High-Level Structure (HLS) used in ISO management system standards.
Overview of the Structure (Clause 4–10) #
The core structure of ISO 45001 is composed of 7 operational clauses (Clauses 4–10) that follow the Plan-Do-Check-Act (PDCA) cycle. It is designed to help organizations improve occupational health and safety (OH&S) performance, reduce risks, and enhance worker well-being.
ISO 45001 Core Clauses Breakdown #
| Clause | Title | Key Focus |
|---|---|---|
| 4 | Context of the Organization | Understand internal/external issues, stakeholder needs, and define OHSMS scope. |
| 5 | Leadership & Worker Participation | Top management commitment, roles, policy, and active worker involvement. |
| 6 | Planning | Address OH&S risks & opportunities, legal obligations, and objectives. |
| 7 | Support | Ensure resources, competence, communication, and documentation control. |
| 8 | Operation | Implement plans: hazard control, emergency preparedness, and process control. |
| 9 | Performance Evaluation | Monitor performance, conduct audits, and review management. |
| 10 | Improvement | Take corrective action, drive continual improvement. |
ISO 45001:2018 Standard Structure & Requirements #
“Standard Structure” #
- Leadership and Worker Participation are placed at the top, indicating their central role in driving the system.
- The standard components flow from context → planning → support → operation → evaluation → improvement, forming a continuous loop of improvement.
- Arrows emphasize interaction and the dynamic nature of implementation.
“Standard Requirements” as a journey.. #
- Visualizes clause progression from 4 to 10 like a step-by-step journey, emphasizing that organizations build up their OHSMS in stages.
- Useful to explain the logical sequence and how each clause contributes to the next.
🔄 Connection to PDCA Cycle #
| PDCA Phase | Related Clauses | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Plan | Clause 4, Clause 5, Clause 6 | Define the system, leadership commitment, identify risks/opportunities. |
| Do | Clause 7, Clause 8 | Provide resources and implement control measures. |
| Check | Clause 9 | Measure performance, audit, and review. |
| Act | Clause 10 | Take actions to improve and correct weaknesses. |
See more details about PDCA cycle in OS&HMS.
Reference: Annex SL Structure & PDCA Explained by ISO
Notes #
- Think of Clause 4–10 like a system engine: each clause is a critical gear in driving safety culture.
- Clause 5 (Leadership) is not just a requirement—it’s the power source. No system can work without leadership engagement and worker participation.
- Clause 6 (Planning) is strategic—like drawing a roadmap before starting a journey.
- Clause 8 (Operation) is tactical—where the actual actions are taken.
- Clause 10 (Improvement) is evolutionary—it ensures you learn and grow from your data and mistakes.
Additional Learning Resources #
- ISO 45001 Standard Full Notes: OSHISIS Standard Guide
- ISO/IEC Directives: High-Level Structure Summary
Discussion: #
Task: In breakout groups, assign each team a clause from 4 to 10. Ask them to:
- Summarize the clause in one sentence.
- Provide a real-world example of how that clause is applied in the workplace.
- Link the clause to a phase in the PDCA cycle.