ISO 45001:2018 Occupational Health and Safety Management System Certification
ISO 45001:2018 is the International Standard that specifies requirements for an occupational health and safety management system (OH&S management system). The standard provides organizations with a management framework for providing safe and healthy workplaces; preventing work-related injury and ill health; eliminating hazards; minimizing OH&S risks; and proactively improving occupational health and safety performance.
ISO 45001:2018 is applicable to every organization, regardless of its size, type, sector, location or level of risk. The system is intended to deliver three core outcomes: continual improvement of OH&S performance; fulfilment of legal requirements and other requirements; and achievement of OH&S objectives. The standard operates through the PDCA cycle and the harmonized structure for management system standards, facilitating integration with ISO 9001, ISO 14001 and other management systems.
ISO 45001 does not prescribe a single level of OH&S performance for all organizations and does not replace legal compliance obligations. The system must be designed to suit the organization’s context, workforce characteristics, hazards, risk levels and activities under its control or influence, while considering workers and other relevant interested parties.
Key elements of ISO 45001:2018 include:
- Leadership and accountability: Top management is accountable for the effectiveness of the system, integrating OH&S into business processes and ensuring that the necessary resources are available.
- Consultation and participation of workers: Mechanisms are established to enable workers, particularly non-managerial workers, to participate in hazard identification, risk assessment, incident investigation and decisions on control measures.
- Hazard identification and assessment of risks and opportunities: Consideration is given to routine and non-routine activities, human factors, ergonomics, psychosocial risks, changes, emergency situations and people who may be affected.
- Hierarchy of controls: Priority is given to eliminating hazards, followed by substitution, engineering controls, administrative controls and, finally, personal protective equipment.
- Extended operational controls: Management of change, procurement, contractors, outsourced processes, high-risk work and emergency preparedness and response.
- Performance evaluation and improvement: Monitoring OH&S performance, evaluating compliance, conducting internal audits and management reviews, investigating incidents and near misses, addressing nonconformities and continually improving the system.
ISO 45001:2018/Amd 1:2024 adds climate-change considerations to the organization’s context and the requirements of interested parties. The organization must determine whether climate change is a relevant issue and, where appropriate, consider effects such as extreme heat, natural disasters, changing working conditions or new requirements from workers, customers and regulatory authorities.
Benefits of implementing and obtaining ISO 45001:2018 certification
- Prevention of injury and ill health: Manages hazards and risks systematically, giving priority to preventive measures at source.
- Stronger management of compliance obligations: Supports the identification, updating, implementation and periodic evaluation of applicable legal and other OH&S requirements.
- Reduced disruption and loss: Helps reduce incidents, downtime, corrective costs and adverse impacts on productivity, schedules or supply chains.
- Greater worker participation and a stronger safety culture: Establishes mechanisms for meaningful communication, consultation and worker participation in decisions affecting OH&S.
- Greater credibility and competitive advantage: Provides independent evidence for tendering, supplier assessments, customer requirements and participation in supply chains.
- Support for ESG and integrated management systems: Strengthens the social dimension of ESG and provides a foundation for integration with ISO 9001, ISO 14001 and other management systems.
GIC Vietnam provides independent ISO 45001:2018 certification services for occupational health and safety management systems to organizations seeking to demonstrate that their systems conform to the requirements of this international standard. Certification is voluntary, does not replace responsibility for legal compliance and does not mean that every risk or incident has been eliminated. Its value lies in providing independent assurance that the system has been established, implemented, maintained and continually improved in accordance with the standard.
This service is suitable for:
- Organizations establishing a new occupational health and safety management system or standardizing an existing system in accordance with ISO 45001:2018.
- Organizations operating in sectors with high OH&S risks or complex working conditions, including construction, manufacturing, energy, chemicals, logistics, mining and healthcare.
- Organizations with multiple sites or shifts, or those using contractors, temporary workers or outsourced processes.
- Organizations requiring certification to meet customer, tendering, export, supply-chain control or ESG assessment requirements.
- Organizations planning to integrate ISO 45001 with ISO 9001, ISO 14001, ISO 50001 or other management systems.
1. Certification application & application review
The organization contacts GIC Vietnam for guidance and provides the necessary information about the proposed certification scope, sites, activities, workforce size, shifts, contractors, outsourced processes, principal OH&S hazards and risks, applicable legal requirements and relevant incident records. GIC Vietnam reviews the application to determine the competence, duration, scope and conditions required for the audit. On this basis, the parties agree on the fees and certification contract.
2. Audit planning & preparation
GIC Vietnam establishes the certification programme, appoints an audit team with competence appropriate to the organization’s sector, processes and hazards, and prepares a detailed audit plan. The plan specifies the objectives, scope, criteria, sites, shifts, schedule and activities to be observed. It is communicated to the organization so that the necessary documents, workers, worker representatives, contractors and site-access arrangements can be prepared.
3. Audit process
The audit is conducted in two stages:
- Stage 1: Review of documentation and the organization’s specific circumstances; confirmation of the certification scope; review of hazards, OH&S risks, legal requirements, internal audits and management review; and evaluation of readiness for the Stage 2 audit.
- Stage 2: Evaluation at the sites and shifts within the certification scope to determine the system’s conformity, implementation and effectiveness. The main activities include: Opening meeting → Interviews with management and workers → Observation of workplaces and control measures → Review of records → Consolidation of findings → Closing meeting.
4. Audit report & handling of nonconformities
The audit team prepares a report setting out its conclusions and any identified nonconformities. Where necessary, the organization takes immediate containment or correction, performs root-cause analysis, and proposes and implements corrective actions within the specified timeframe. GIC Vietnam reviews the evidence and may conduct an additional audit when necessary before submitting the file for review.
5. Review & certification
Personnel responsible for the review and certification decision, who are independent of the audit team, examine the complete audit file, report and corrective-action evidence. When the file meets all applicable requirements, GIC Vietnam makes the certification decision and issues the ISO 45001:2018 certificate. The certificate remains valid for a three-year certification cycle, provided that the organization maintains conformity and completes the required surveillance audits.
6. Periodic surveillance & recertification
During the certification cycle, GIC Vietnam conducts periodic surveillance audits to confirm that the system continues to be maintained and remains effective. The first surveillance audit is conducted no later than 12 months from the date of the initial certification decision. The organization must report significant changes or serious incidents that may affect the validity of its certification. Before the certificate expires, the organization undergoes a recertification audit to determine whether certification can be renewed for the next cycle.
International reputation and broad recognition
GIC is a reputable certification body whose certifications are widely recognized through accreditation marks from leading accreditation bodies such as UKAS (United Kingdom), JASANZ (Australia and New Zealand), CPSC (United States), SAC (Singapore), CNAS (China) and VICAS (Vietnam). Certificates issued by GIC receive global recognition through the multilateral recognition arrangements (MRAs) of Global ACI and APAC. This helps organizations reduce technical barriers and gain easier access to international markets.
Professional services & cost-effectiveness
GIC Vietnam provides services in accordance with stringent European and North American standards, ensuring independence, impartiality and professionalism throughout the certification audit process. In addition to high-quality service, GIC offers reasonable and competitive fees, enabling organizations to use their investment resources efficiently while obtaining certification recognized in accordance with international norms.
GIC VIETNAM
🏢 Hanoi: 12F, 14 Lang Ha Building, Giang Vo Ward
☎ Tel: 024 6275 2268 | Hotline: 0984 609 469
✉ Email: tuandm@gicvn.vn
🏢 Ho Chi Minh City: R502, 160 Nam Ky Khoi Nghia Street
☎ Tel: 028 3930 7936
