Unlike ISO 9001, the Occupational Health and Safety Management System (OHSMS) Standard requires the application of OH&S Risk Management Methods in Clause 6.1. So, risk-based thinking alone does not meet requirements. Formal and documented Risk Assessment followed by Risk Treatment is required for compliance.
ISO 45001:2018 can be best summed up by the titles of the different ISO 45001 clauses, namely:
The question is, then, what tools and methods can effectively assess workplace hazards and guide us to effective actions to control them? Below are some answers.
A useful review of risk assessment tools and methods was included in OHSAS 18001. We've updated it.
A word of warning: There is a tendency not to review and update these tools regularly. This is a serious mistake, as initial use is frequently based largely on expert opinion, whereas reviews and updates are based on outcomes and measurements—in short, facts.
Assessment Tools Comparison: Strengths and Weaknesses |
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Assessment Tool |
Strengths |
Weaknesses |
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Checklists/ Questionnaires |
Easy to use Use can prevent "missing something" in initial evaluations |
Often limited to yes/no answers Only as good as the checklist used - it may not consider unique situations |
|
Risk Matrices |
Relatively easy to use Provides a visual representation Doesn't require the use of numbers |
Only 2-dimensional - can't consider multiple factors impacting risk A pre-determined answer may not be appropriate to the situation |
|
Ranking / Voting Tables |
Relatively easy to use Suitable for capturing expert opinion Allows for consideration of multiple risk factors (e.g., severity, probability, detectability, data uncertainty) |
Requires use of numbers If the quality of the data is not good, the results will be poor This can result in a comparison of incomparable risks |
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Failure mode and effects analysis (FMEA); Hazard and operability studies (HAZOP) |
Good for detailed analysis of processes Allows input of technical data |
Needs expertise to use it Needs numerical data to input into the analysis Takes resources (time & money) Better for the risks associated with equipment than those related to human factors |
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Exposure Assessment Strategy |
Good for the analysis of data associated with hazardous materials and environments A fundamental activity if consistency of approach and realistic evaluation of risk is to be achieved. |
Needs the expertise to use Needs numerical data to input Often requires the use of workplace monitoring and measuring equipment |
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Computer Modelling |
If you have the data, computer modeling can give good answers Best for larger workplaces where enough data is more likely to be available Generally, uses numerical inputs and is less subjective |
Significant time and money are needed to develop and validate Potential for over-reliance on the results without questioning their validity |
A combination of these tools is needed for an effective site-wide OH&S risk assessment. For example, checklists are often best for assessing human workplace activities. At the same time, FMEAs are frequently used to assess workplace processes (where the assessment is conducted step-by-step on the activities that make up the process).
Our ISO 45001 training courses, ISO 45001 Lead Implementer and ISO 45001 Transition Training, both include Risk Management Tools in their ISO 45001 Documentation Toolkit.