ISO 45001:2018 4.1 Content

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ISO 45001:2018 Clause 4.1 Understanding the organization and its context

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Clause 4.1 Breakdown

4.1 Understanding the organization and its context

Context of the organization

Organizations need to identify important internal and external issues relevant to the purpose of the business that can affect the stated outcome of the OH&S management system. Much of this will depend on the size, complexity, and nature of the organisation.

Simplistic view. "Demonstrate an understanding of the organization's internal and external OH&S issues, and characterize how within the OH&S management system they are managed."

Typical external issues may include, but are not limited to:

•contractors

•suppliers

•relevant legislation (e.g. Acts, Regulations, Statutory Instruments)

•enforcement bodies

•industry specific requirements

•emergency services

•trade associations

•general public

•culture, social and political influence

•optional requirements (e.g. ISO 9001, ISO 14001, IOSH membership)

Typical internal issues my include, but not limited to:

•Economics and Financial factors

•Organizational governance and structure

•business activities (e.g. chemical, biological agents, explosive, moving machinery)

•workforce characteristics (e.g. training, skills, experience, competency, age, attitudes and cultural beliefs)

•employment practices (e.g. workloads, working hours and shift patterns, working conditions, ergonomic considerations)

It is unlikely that clause 4.1 context of the organization statement details will be in a nice neat place. It is more likely that this information will need identifying from sources such as:

•management and management review meeting minutes:

•OH&S policy,

•OH&S objectives,

•vision and mission statements,

•project plans,

•performance reviews,

•operational controls,

•work procedures,

•work instructions,

•emergency response procedures,

•monitoring, measurement, and performance figures,

•OH&S objectives,

•accident statistics,

•accident investigations,

•absenteeism records,

•training records, etc.

It's worth mentioning that the standard does not require a formal process for documented information to prove issues relevant to the OH&S management. However, it's useful for accreditation bodies, internal and external audits, and enforcement authorises, to name but a few.

Useful integrated management system cross references

ISO 9001-2015 4.1 - Understanding the organization and its context

ISO 14001-2015 4.1 - Understanding the organization and its context

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