One of the major points of difference introduced with ISO 45001 is the requirement to explore the ‘Context of the organisation’ (sections 4.1 – 4.4). While this is a standard clause across the suite of ISO Management System Standards, the discussion of ‘context’ is a new addition to the WHS space, since it is rather minimal within AS 4801.
The requirements from the ISO Standard have the first 3 elements within Section 4 exploring different components of context and are then consolidated within the section 4.4 – OHS Management System.
4.1 Understanding the organization and its context
This clause requires the organisation to determine all the external issues such as legislative, economic & political conditions for the jurisdictions in which the organisation operates, and the internal issues such as stakeholder (including union) expectations that may have relevance for the OHS Management System.
These external and internal issues set the parameters for the OHSMS so that it can effectively address all the legislative requirements etc., whilst also focussing on achieving stakeholder expectations (including workers). This could range from prioritising safety improvements through to developing a more user-friendly OHSMS.
4.2 Understanding the needs and expectations of interested parties
This clause requires the organisation to assess who its ‘interested parties’ are in terms of its OHSMS, what their needs and expectations may be, and consequently, if any of these should become compliance obligations.
An “interested party” is defined as a person or organisation that may be affected by or perceive itself to be affected by a decision or activity of your organisation. When considering interested parties, we need to consider the Employees, Management and shareholders, external parties, contractors and service providers, Government bodies, unions and the company insurers. Detailing the interested parties, their expectations and their level of influence, helps to set priorities and compliance obligations. And when this is combined with the context, it starts to refine the overall scope of the OHSMS.
4.3 Determining the scope of the OHS Management System
The boundaries of the OHSMS must now be defined considering the interested parties and their needs, including their compliance obligations. Also requiring consideration are the OHSMS functions and physical boundaries, all products, services and activities, including the organisation’s ability to exert control on external factors, with the results of the whole definition included in the OSHMS.
There is a need to determine the scope of application within the organisation (is it whole or partial) with consideration of the nature and scale of the whole or parts of the organisation, and all of its activities that create health & safety hazards.
While it is recommended that all of these considerations are documented, ISO 45001 only requires that the scope is ‘available in documented information’.
Then Sec 4.4 the standard indicates that an OHSMS should be established to achieve the desired outcomes by using interactive processes to deliver continual improvement. The ultimate objective is to improve the organisation’s occupational health & safety performance.
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