ANOTHER IMPORTANT STEP FORWARD IN PROMOTING A PREVENTIVE SAFETY CULTURE AND WORKPLACE WELLBEING
The second version of the first Committee Draft of ISO 45001 has been published. This updated draft not only incorporates changes to the main body of the standard following feedback from the first international enquiry, but also includes a new draft of the informative Annex A.
WHAT ARE THE KEY UPDATES?
STRONGER EMPHASIS ON SAFETY CULTURE
Greater emphasis has been placed on promoting a preventive culture of health and safety and on fostering workplace wellbeing as key factors for an Occupational Health and Safety Management System
WORKPLACE WELLBEING
Annex A clarifies that promoting work related wellbeing goes far beyond preventing injuries and occupational illnesses. Organizations are called to support the physical, mental, social, and cognitive needs of workers, demonstrating top management’s commitment to a holistic approach to wellbeing.
FLEXIBLE WORK AND WORKING MODALITIES
Organizations are therefore asked to recognize that a worker’s life outside of work can influence their workplace wellbeing and vice versa; that working arrangements can support or hinder a worker’s ability to manage responsibilities outside the workplace; and that offering flexibility, where possible, in working modalities can have a positive impact on workplace wellbeing.
FOCUS ON DIVERSITY
An entire paragraph of Annex A is dedicated to the topic of ‘diversity’ among workers and other interested parties, outlining aspects such as gender, age, disability, abilities, language skills, literacy and numeracy levels, caregiving responsibilities for children, elderly parents or family members with disabilities, culture and religion, sexuality, menstruation, menstrual health and menopause, pregnancy and reproductive health needs, immigration status, and chronic health conditions.
WHAT DOES IT MEANS FOR ORGANIZATIONS?
The strong involvement of workers and the improvement of the overall safety culture, supported even more clearly by the new version of the standard—can become a major opportunity for companies that aim to promote the health, safety and wellbeing of their stakeholders. The final version of the standard- expected no earlier than late 2026 - may undergo further substantial changes.
