ISO 45001 – five years on

The five-year anniversary of ISO 45001: 2018, the first truly international OSH management system standard, is an ideal opportunity to reflect on its impact and plan for a climate-affected future, writes Richard Jones CFIOSH.

Touching the working lives of millions worldwide, with around 300,000 certifications so far (CASCO survey), ISO 45001 and its series offer solution-driven approaches for leaders, workers and the many challenging environments in which they operate. From tailored OSH management systems, to practical methods for tackling COVID-19 risk (ISO/PAS 45005) and mental health at work (ISO 45003) and guidance for smaller firms – these aim to help organisations address the pressing issues of the day. 

And this work continues. The ISO 45001 technical committee (TC 283) has established a new task group to review it and update as necessary, an ISO requirement for standards after 5 years. There are also a number of supporting guidelines under development, including on implementing ISO 45001, OH&S performance evaluation, and infectious disease management. While further task groups are looking at other potential standards, including on OH&S risks arising from climate change.

On this last crucial topic, as the world faces unprecedented global warming and extreme weather – employers, policymakers, regulators, investors and professionals need to better understand the dire effects of heat stress. There needs to be appreciation that, not only can it cause workplace fatalities, but also severe heat injury, including kidney damage.

Fig. 1 – some key heat stress safeguards (sources: see references 1, 2 and 3 below) 

Research suggests that, in Nepal, returning migrant workers from hot regions (e.g. Gulf and Malaysia), can be at greater risk of kidney damage than the general population, with further research required. It reports dehydration, heavy physical work, heat exposure and use of pain-killers, suggested as potential risk factors. And importantly, as kidney damage may be asymptomatic in its early stages, the essential need for effective monitoring and prevention of further harm. It also flags evidence of a higher risk of chronic kidney disease in farm workers in Central America, Sri Lanka, Egypt and India, highlighting some evidence of effective interventions, such as water, rest and shade (Aryal et al, 2021). 

ISO 45001 emphasises the need for OSH leadership, competence and risk management across organisations, with workers being well-trained and resourced so they can work in a safe and healthy way. This means workers are able to raise concerns without fear and to remove themselves from danger. The imperatives for employers to assess heat-stress risk; provide training, water, shaded rest, adequate PPE, and health checks; and manage relevant chronic diseases, are also highlighted in the Qatar Ministry of Labour guide ‘Heat Stress Legislation in Qatar’ (May 2022), available on the ILO website. While the need to protect vulnerable workers is the focus of the ground-breaking new British Standard on tackling modern slavery (BS 25700), which could form the basis of an ISO international standard.

OSH professionals advising governments and organisations who deploy workers in hot environments, including more countries now affected by global warming, need to ensure preventive policies are effective and that workers aren’t afraid to speak out. As OSH professionals, we can also contribute to the new standard on OH&S risks from climate change and continue to promote the ISO 45001 family and its links to the UN Sustainable Development Goals, together with BS 25700 on tackling modern slavery, aiming to ensure that no one gets left behind. For more, see IOSH’s climate change and OSH policy position statement.  

Richard Jones is former head of policy and regulatory engagement at IOSH