ISO Wades into EH&S with ISO 45001

By Frank Rovella
The International Organization for Standardization, better known as “ISO,” has long been the cornerstone of quality in manufacturing. Having an ISO 9001:2008 certification is not only proof of an organization's commitment to quality, but it can also open doors to new business. The process and traceability requirements of an ISO cert are pervasive, and run deep into day-to-day operations, for this reason, larger manufacturers, and OEMs will prefer to do business whenever possible with similarly certified or at least compliant vendors.

Now it can be said that an ISO 9001:2008 certification is only as good as the auditor, but even with the laxest inspector, having that plaque in the lobby is a source of pride for many manufacturers.

ISO is no doubt a big dog when it comes to industrial specifications and has a history that spans almost 90 years. The organization was originally formed in 1926 and was known as the ISA. After the suspension of activities during WWII, it reemerged as ISO in 1947. Based in Geneva, Switzerland the original 26 member nations have grown to include 126. The goal of ISO is now as it always has been, to propagate definable quality standards to manufacturers worldwide, which it has done successfully with over 19,500 international standards. From ISO 9000 - Quality Management, to ISO 26000 – Social Responsibility, ISO has a standard for virtually any product, service, or system.

All ISO standards are developed and influenced by a network of national standards bodies, known as “Full Member Bodies,” they represent their country and are assisted to a lesser extent by Correspondent Members. The size of each member nation determines the amount of influence they may exert.  Only these members are allowed to sell and adopt ISO standards in their country.

Oddly enough, the area of Environmental Health & Safety (EH&S), does not have an ISO standard. But that’s about to change with the forthcoming release of ISO 45001 - Occupational Health and Safety Management Systems. Up until this time ANSI Z10 and OHSAS 18001 have been a mainstay for EH&S codes, so why a new code?

If you are familiar with ISO standards, then you’ll know about the level of detail they include, and though ANSI Z10 and OHSAS 18001, maybe partially aligned with ISO standards they don’t belong to ISO, leaving a gap in the standards they offer.  I should make it clear that ANSI Z10 is mainly used in The US, while OHSAS 18001 is used across the globe but mainly in the EU.

For American manufacturers, the EH&S department is a key operational component and an integral part of any lean program. Having been a first responder I know how comprehensive EPA regulations are, and the fear that a visit from OSHA can put into a management team. So what is the necessity for yet another set of standards, and is it worth the cost of compliance?

The details of ISO 45001 are still unclear as it is still only in draft form, however, David Smith the chairman of the ISO 45001 committee states “In the new standard, an organization has to look beyond its immediate health and safety issues and take into account what the wider society expects of it. Organizations have to think about their contractors and suppliers as well as, for example, how their work might affect their neighbors in the surrounding area. This is much wider than just focusing on the conditions for internal employees and means organizations cannot just contract out risk.”

Mr. Smith further states “ISO 45001 insists that these occupational health and safety aspects now are embodied in the overall management system of the organization, requiring a much stronger buy-in from its management and leadership. This will be a big change for users who may currently delegate responsibility to a safety manager rather than integrate this entirely into the organization’s operations.

For companies seeking a more comprehensive approach to EH&S, or those that are fully entrenched in ISO standards, ISO 45001 will be a welcome addition. Compliance will exhibit a commitment beyond the plant walls, and allow some to be perceived as conscientious entities concerned with more than just profits. This would allow many to foster a sense of being part of a larger community rather than only an employer and source of tax revenue.

Time will tell if ISO 45001 takes hold; compliance will certainly be a commitment, and require resources and a new way of thinking about EH&S. However, unlike ISO 9000 certification, most established manufacturers already have robust EH&S programs with dedicated staff.

The greatest effect on mass adoption will most certainly be on the smaller subcontractors downstream of the larger manufacturers and OEMs.  In the US the EPA has done a wonderful job of changing the culture of environmental responsibility over the past 30 years, (see my EPA blog on this site). As a result of their efforts, most manufacturers are good citizens, even those that are not, the current laws that are in place force honesty with severe fines.

The the landscape for smaller firms is already a dense forest of choking regulation and staggeringly complex tax codes. Being competitive under current conditions is already a daunting task. Many fear that being forced to comply with yet another set of standards just to do businesses will end up being just another expense weighing down overhead and restricting growth.

References: http://www.iso.org/iso/home/news_index/news_archive/news.htm?refid=Ref1874