ISO 45001 Safety Overview

What ISO 45001 Is

ISO 45001 is the international standard for occupational health and safety (OH&S) management systems. It provides a framework for organisations to manage workplace safety systematically — identifying hazards, assessing risks, implementing controls, and continuously improving safety performance.

It replaced OHSAS 18001 in 2018 and is now the primary international OH&S standard.

How It Applies to Maintenance

• Hazard identification: Maintenance tasks must be assessed for hazards — mechanical, electrical, chemical, thermal, working at height, confined spaces.
• Risk assessment: Each maintenance task must have a risk assessment — Job Safety Analysis (JSA) or Safe Work Method Statement (SWMS).
• Hierarchy of controls: Risks are controlled in order: elimination, substitution, engineering controls, administrative controls, then PPE as last resort.
• Permit to work: High-risk maintenance (hot work, confined space, working at height) requires a permit to work system.
• Contractor management: Contractors performing maintenance must meet the same safety standards as in-house staff.
• Incident investigation: Safety incidents and near-misses must be investigated and corrective actions implemented.

Key Maintenance Safety Requirements

Lockout/Tagout (LOTO): Every maintenance task on energised equipment must have LOTO — isolating and securing energy sources before work.

Permit to Work: Hot work, confined space, working at height, and excavation require a formal permit system.

JSA/SWMS: Every non-routine task must have a job safety analysis completed before work starts.

Training: All maintenance staff must be trained and competent in the safety procedures relevant to their work.