Auditor ISO 45001

Occupational accidents remain a key issue for companies, despite a downward trend. In Germany, a total of 754,660 reportable occupational accidents were recorded in 2024 under the statutory accident insurance system for the commercial and public sectors. Accidents are reportable if they result in incapacity for work for more than three days or in death. (Source)

The relevance of this issue is also evident across Europe: In the European Union, around 2.82 million non-fatal occupational accidents involving at least four calendar days of absence from work, as well as 3,298 fatal occupational accidents, were recorded in 2023. (Source)

Despite the declining trend, these figures clearly show that occupational health and safety remains a central area of action for companies. Safe and healthy workplaces are a key factor in high-performing organizations. Modern occupational health and safety has long since moved beyond the mere prevention of accidents and now follows a comprehensive preventive approach.

This means taking into account all risks that may lead to work-related physical or psychological complaints, including incapacity for work or occupational disability.

ISO 45001: Managing occupational health and safety systematically and internationally

ISO 45001, “Occupational health and safety management systems”, is the internationally recognized standard for effective occupational health and safety management systems. It supports organizations in providing safe and healthy workplaces, preventing work-related injuries and ill health, and continually improving occupational health and safety performance.

As an internationally recognized standard, it sets out the requirements for an occupational health and safety management system. It focuses on the systematic identification of risks and opportunities, worker involvement, the responsibility of top management, and the continual improvement of processes.

ISO 45001 also takes into account the context of the organization. Since the publication of Amendment ISO 45001:2018/Amd 1:2024, climate-related aspects must also be explicitly considered.

The focus of ISO 45001

ISO 45001 provides a comprehensive framework for occupational health and safety management, from identifying opportunities and risks to establishing suitable processes and monitoring and evaluating their effectiveness. The standard also helps raise awareness of occupational health and safety among all members of an organization, particularly managers.

In Germany, occupational health and safety is already extensively regulated. By implementing a management system in accordance with DIN EN ISO 45001 (such as eplas), companies can systematically align legal requirements, operational processes, and strategic objectives. The standard can also be combined with other management system standards, such as ISO 9001 for quality management or ISO 14001 for environmental management.

This enables occupational health and safety to be more closely integrated into corporate governance and embedded as part of a holistic management system.

For companies, this means that occupational health and safety is understood as a management responsibility with clearly defined responsibilities, measurable objectives, worker participation, and regular effectiveness reviews.