In 2025, many people are also searching for the OHSAS 18001 Certification often known as Occupational Health and Safety Assessment Series 18001. If you’re one of them, you’re in the right place. OHSAS 18001 holds a unique identity in the health and safety domain, making it popular in countries like the US, UK, Australia, India, Mexico, Spain, Peru, and Ecuador. However, there’s an important twist regarding the OHSAS 18001 Certification.
And the twist is:
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Why Organizations Should Implement ISO 45001 over OHSAS 18001 Certification?
ISO 45001 is a proactive, strategic tool to safeguard workers from different organisations, comply with laws, and build a resilient organization. It’s not just about compliance, it’s about creating a safer, more productive workplace.
Key Reasons to Adopt ISO 45001
- Enhanced Worker Protection: It primarily focuses on preventing work-related injuries and ill-health, both mental and physical. It reduces these risks through a set of hierarchical controls.
- Legal and Cultural Compliance: It actively helps organizations with large workforces meet legal and regulatory requirements, including COVID-19 safety measures.
- Worker Engagement: It encourages workers at all levels to participate in incident investigations and hazard reporting.
- Global Recognition: Demonstrates commitment to OHSAS to stakeholders, clients, and regulators, enhancing reputation.
- Reduced operating costs: Helps the organizations to reduce health and safety management cost.
Costs & ROI of Migration Of OHSAS 18001 to ISO 45001
Migrating from OHSAS 18001 to ISO 45001 is quite easy nowadays. In competitive markets like the US and UK, it is also affordable and accessible for organizations of all sizes, from small businesses to large enterprises.
| Expense | Average Cost (USD) |
|---|---|
| Gap Analysis | $2,000 – $5,000 |
| Documentation Update | $3,000 – $8,000 |
| Certification Audit | $6,000 – $15,000 |
Since certification costs vary by region and organization size, our team analyzed all factors to determine an average cost-however, if you’re in the USA, this average closely aligns with the actual cost.
ROI Drivers For ISO 45001:
- 28% reduction in lost-time injuries (ISO survey data)
- 19% lower insurance premiums for ISO 45001-certified firms
7 Key Differences Between OHSAS 18001 and ISO 45001
Before migrating to ISO 45001organization should must know the differences of each other.
| Feature | OHSAS 18001 | ISO 45001 |
|---|---|---|
| Structure | Standalone | Follows Annex SL (like ISO 9001/14001) |
| Focus | Hazard control | Risk prevention & worker well-being |
| Leadership Role | Minimal requirement | Stronger accountability for top management |
| Worker Participation | Recommended | Mandatory (consultation & involvement) |
| Documentation | More prescriptive | Flexible (“documented information”) |
| Risk Management | Reactive (hazards only) | Proactive (risks & opportunities) |
| Legal Compliance | Maintain a register | Must evaluate compliance |
5 Easy Step-Migration Process Of OHSAS 18001 to ISO 45001
- Gap Analysis: Arrange a documentation review to compare current OHSAS 18001 processes against ISO 45001 clauses 4 to 10. Common gaps that may arise include, first, a lack of participation procedures, and second, the absence of supply chain risk evaluations.
- Context Mapping: During the mapping process, you must identify internal and external issues affecting OHSAS, such as regulatory changes and subcontractor safety practices.
- Implement New Requirements: The new requirements mainly focus on developing mental health risk assessments and establishing worker consultation committees.
- Train Employees: Studies show that 85% of transition failures occur due to insufficient staff training.
- ISO 45001 Certification Audit: Transition Audit is for organizations with a valid OHSAS 18001 certification, while Full Certification applies to new adopters.
What is OHSAS 18001 Certification?
Occupational Health and Safety Assessment Series 18001 (OHSAS 18001) was an international certification that ensures safety and health management of workers of an organization.
OHSAS 18001 Certification cost?
OHSAS 18001 has been replaced by ISO 45001:2018, and new certifications are no longer issued. Certified organizations are encouraged to transition to ISO 45001. The migration cost has been discussed in detail earlier-please refer to the chart. However, the average total cost can be up to $15,000 in the USA.
Other Certifications:
