With a lot of focus on ‘Safety Culture’ within organisations, a question often asked is “How does safety culture correlate with ISO 45001?”

Whilst ISO 45001, as the international standard for occupational health and safety management systems, does not explicitly mention “safety culture” as a standalone term, the concept of safety culture is inherently embedded within the standard’s requirements.

Safety culture encompasses the attitudes, beliefs, perceptions, and values that employees and management share regarding safety in the workplace. While ISO 45001 does not have a specific clause dedicated to safety culture, it does emphasize the importance of leadership commitment, worker involvement, responsibilities and continuous improvement, all of which are essential elements of a strong safety culture.

Some of the correlations include:

  1. Leadership commitment – 5.1: The standard requires top management to demonstrate leadership and commitment to the WHS management system. A positive safety culture often starts with strong leadership commitment to safety.
  2. Responsibilities: The standard requires the assigning of responsibilities and authorities for relevant roles.
  3. Consultation Participation or Workers 5.4: ISO 45001 emphasises the involvement of workers in the management system, including consultation, participation in hazard identification, and the ability to report incidents and near misses. This involvement fosters a sense of ownership and accountability for safety among employees, contributing to a positive safety culture.
  4. Communication – 7.4: Effective communication is crucial for promoting a positive safety culture. ISO 45001 requires clear communication channels for sharing information related to occupational health and safety, including procedures, hazards, and controls.
  5. Competence – 7.2: The standard mandates that workers are competent to perform their tasks safely. Providing adequate training and development opportunities not only ensures compliance with this requirement but also contributes to building a safety-conscious workforce.
  6. Improvement – 10: ISO 45001 promotes a cycle of continual improvement in OH&S performance. This includes regular monitoring, evaluation, and review of the management system to identify opportunities for enhancement. A commitment to continuous improvement reflects a proactive approach to safety, which is characteristic of a strong safety culture.

In line with these clear correlations between ISO 45001 and safety culture, organisations implementing the standard can integrate practices and initiatives that foster a positive safety culture as part of their overall occupational health and safety management system.

Please contact QRMC for more information or assistance.