ISO 45001: Clause 8 – Operation

ISO 45001: Clause 8 – Operation

ISO 45001 Clause 8: Operation

Clause 8: Operation provides guidance on the operational planning and control requirements relating to the OH&S management system.

Once it has gained an understanding of its OH&S hazards, the organisation should implement the operational controls that are necessary to manage the risks associated with its activities and comply with applicable health and safety legal requirements.

The organisation can plan, implement and control its operational processes by establishing operating criteria and control the processes in accordance with these operating criteria.

The organisation should apply the hierarchy of control measures for the elimination of hazards and the reduction of OH&S risks.

The following examples illustrate the application of the hierarchy of controls.

• Elimination: removing the hazard;
• Substitution: replacing the hazardous with less hazardous;
• Engineering controls/ work reorganisation: isolating people from hazard;
• Administrative controls including training: conducting periodic safety equipment inspections;
• Personal protective equipment (PPE): providing adequate PPE.

The organisation is required to establish a process for the implementation and control of planned temporary and permanent changes that influence its OH&S performance such as:

• New products, processes or services;
• Changes to working conditions;
• Changes to applicable legal and other requirements;
• Changes in knowledge or information concerning hazards and associated risks

The organisation must establish, implement and maintain a process to control the procurement of products and services in order to ensure their conformity to its OH&S management system.

Procurement processes should be used to control potential hazards and reduce OH&S risks associated with the purchase and introduction of products, hazardous chemicals, raw materials, equipment and ancillary services into the workplace.

The organisation must co-ordinate its procurement process with its contractors, in order to identify hazards and to assess and control the OH&S risks arising from contractors’ activities.

The organisation must ensure that the requirements of its OH&S management system are met by contractors and their workers. The procurement process should define and apply occupational health and safety criteria in the selection of contractors.

Outsourcing (or sub-contracting) is the employment of an external organisation to perform one or more processes in the OHSMS.

The organisation must verify that its outsourcing arrangements are compliant with legal requirements and are consistent with achieving the intended outcomes of the OH&S management system.

ISO 45001 requires the organisation to establish, implement and maintain a process to prepare for emergency situations and to respond if they occur. This response includes the provision of first aid.

The emergency situations to be covered can originate within or outside the organisation and have the potential to affect the health and safety of workers and others.

This has been submitted by our training partner Antaris