Intertek, a leading total quality assurance provider to industries worldwide, has received ISO 45001 Occupational Health & Safety management systems standard from United Kingdom Accreditation Service (UKAS), the national accreditation body.

The new standard was published in March and will replace the OHSAS 18001 standard, said a statement from the UK-based group.

ISO 45001 provides a global benchmark for organisations around the world to ensure that they operate in a consistent, healthy, and safe manner worldwide, thereby allowing organisations to meet health and safety guidelines that render across international lines, it said.

The new accredited certification will ensure consumer and public confidence in capabilities and competence of an organisation while also increasing its competitive advantage and opening new market opportunities.

The new standard benefits employees, organisations, and their initiatives towards ensuring a safe and healthy work environment which in return improves overall business performance by increasing productivity and reducing workplace illness and injury, it added.

Areas covered by ISO 45001 include: hazard identification and assessment of risks, emergency preparedness and response, internal and external communication, as well as management review. The standard also adheres to Annex SL, allowing for easy integration in an integrated management system with ISO 9001:2015 and ISO 14001:2015, said a statement.

The business assurance group of Intertek provides a full range of business process audit and support services, including accredited third-party management systems auditing and certification, second-party supplier auditing, and training services, it said.

Karl Harland, technical director and regional certification manager, Intertek, said: “The publication of ISO 45001 marks an exciting new episode in occupational health and safety management.”

“Its coverage of worker health extends benefits to every industry, and we are proud to be one of the first ISO 45001 UKAS accredited Certification Bodies,” he added.-TradeArabia News Service