The certification body the National Security Inspectorate (NSI) reports it has been granted accreditation by the United Kingdom Accreditation Service (UKAS) for BS EN ISO 45001:2018 – the international standard for occupational health and safety (OH&S), which replaces the British Standard OHSAS 18001.
For organisations holding management systems approvals such as ISO 9001 (quality management) and ISO 14001 (environmental management), the new 45001 standard is structured in the same way. This means the inspectorate says that 45001 can be readily integrated into an organisation’s management system. NSI’s audit regime is designed in a similarly integrated way so NSI approved companies have streamlined audits.
NSI Gold approved companies, who are required by the inspectorate to operate an ISO 9001 Quality Management System, may now choose to maximise their NSI approval by integrating ISO 45001 into their management system.
Richard Jenkins NSI Chief Executive, pictured, said: “Health and safety in the workplace is a fundamental responsibility for all organisations. NSI welcomes this new Standard which makes it easier for organisations to integrate Health and Safety into their quality management system, assure themselves they manage their responsibilities effectively, and clearly demonstrate to stakeholders and clients their credentials as a responsible partner and employer. NSI’s accreditation by UKAS for this new Standard enhances its management system certification portfolio, and ‘one-stop shop’ capability for NSI Gold approved companies.
“Aligned with this, our commitment to training and CPD of our audit team means multi-skilled capability ensures seamless integrated audits for NSI approved organisations, and sound guidance for companies seeking approval to any scheme for the first time.”
NSI approved companies who previously adopted OHSAS 18001 have until March 2021 to switch to the new standard. Visit www.nsi.org.uk.
