Update on international standard for safer workplaces

More than 2.3 million people die each year as a result of workplace injuries and diseases, in addition to the over 300 million who sustain non-fatal accidents*.

An international standard (ISO 45001) developed by the International Organization for Standardization (ISO), which sets requirements for occupational health and safety management systems to keep people safe at work across the globe, is now one step closer to publication.

Technical committee representatives working on the standard recently met to work through issues raised during the consultation stage and have announced the standard will now be open to the public.

This is the final stage before publication.

Kevin McKinley, ISO acting secretary-general, said it is a positive step as the standard will ultimately be a very useful tool to help organisations save lives.

“The health and safety of workers is a fundamental issue for all organisations. ISO’s work in this area is an important complement to the International Labour Standards of the ILO,” he said.

“There has been significant interest in ISO 45001 to build on existing ILO and national mechanisms to further enhance worker protection.”

ISO 45001 is due to be published in October 2016. For further information, go to www.iso.org/iso/home/standards/management-standards/iso45001.htm.

*Source: ILO