ISO 45001 details various training requirements, which companies must satisfy to successfully achieve certification.
Ahead of the certification process, all employees need to understand their role in improving health and safety in the workplace. It’s not enough to only train those in management positions. ISO 45001 compliance relies on a collective and cohesive effort from all employees at an organisation. Employees across all organisational levels need to receive sufficient training.
With active involvement employees can contribute to organisation-wide change that lasts – whether they’re a manager, team leader or in an entry-level role.
Why it pays to invest in employee training for ISO 45001 certification
The short-term gains of cutting corners with employee training are far outweighed by the benefits of making a committed investment in ensuring staff are trained.
As you work towards ISO 45001 certification, providing employees with suitable training can help you reach your goal of compliance faster and with fewer costly mistakes and setbacks.
In addition, organisations that offer ongoing training and professional development find that employees are more invested in business goals, more loyal to company values and can achieve improved performance. This not only leads to a happier workplace and higher rates of employee retention – resulting in fewer turnover and onboarding costs – but also drives better outcomes for the business. For instance, higher productivity rates.
Another example of how businesses stand to benefit is their profit margin. When companies offer comprehensive training programs, they enjoy a 24% higher profit margin than those without these programs in place.
But while employers can benefit greatly from an investment in training, many are still failing to provide it to employees. 23% of organisations have no formal compliance-training plan. From a compliance standpoint, a lack of training can considerably hinder a business’s ability to implement ISO safety management systems as quickly and effectively as possible.
ISO 45001 certification training requirements
ISO 45001 training requirements are covered in section 7.2 (competence), 7.3 (awareness) and 7.4 (information and communication).
These sections require that personnel are properly trained in health and safety issues (7.2), aware of health and safety issues (7.3) and that they understand the required processes and documentation for internal and external communication involving health and safety matters (7.4).
Project managers and team leaders need to understand the requirements of ISO 45001 and their role during the implementation and maintenance of occupational health and safety management systems so they can provide team members with shared understanding and direction.
Change and uncertainty can be stressful, which is one reason why it’s important to make sure all employees know how the move towards ISO 45001 certification will impact them and their role at the company. Training needs to be transparent and must answer questions like:
- What is ISO 45001?
- Why is the organisation working towards ISO 45001 compliance?
- What will the implementation of ISO 45001 involve?
- How will staff benefit from compliance with ISO 45001?
- Will employees’ jobs change and if so, how?
- How will ISO 45001 certification be maintained?
After ISO 45001 certification training is completed
Following compliance training, management must ensure relevant documentation is up-to-date to keep track of training records for each employee.
In addition, employees may have follow-up questions or concerns that come to light after training has taken place. Systems allowing for clear communication between staff and management need to be established so that these issues or queries can be promptly brought to the attention of those leading the ISO 45001 certification process. This can minimise any hesitancy around compliance and also helps management get on top of any problems faster, rather than finding out about them when the implementation process is further along.
Continual improvement is an ongoing requirement of ISO 45001 compliance. Even after your business is ISO 45001 certified, ongoing training is the key to helping you stay compliant in the long term.
Workplace health and safety legal requirements are often amended and new risks will emerge over time. Keeping employees out of harm’s way is an ongoing effort and training needs to reflect this.
Regularly monitoring and reviewing the effectiveness of your training program is necessary for businesses wanting to get and stay ISO 45001 compliant. In doing this, you can also determine any areas where further training could be required and support continued improvement and growth in the months and years ahead.
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