{"id":6573,"date":"2021-02-09T15:05:46","date_gmt":"2021-02-09T14:05:46","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.red-on-line-ehs.co.uk\/ehs\/?p=6573"},"modified":"2025-07-23T15:38:52","modified_gmt":"2025-07-23T13:38:52","slug":"iso-45001-2018-clause-6","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.red-on-line.com\/gb\/blog\/iso-45001-2018-clause-6\/","title":{"rendered":"ISO 45001:2018 Clause 6 \u2018Planning\u2019"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
Clause 6 requires the planning of an occupational health and safety management system (OHSMS), taking into account the context in which the organisation sits, the scope of its activities and the \u2018interested parties\u2019, either internal or external stakeholders. In this respect it needs to be read in conjunction with Clause 4 \u2018Context of the Organisation\u2019.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Assurance that the OHSMS can achieve its intended outcomes is best achieved through robust planning and preparation. Planning is an ongoing process, anticipating change and it involves identifying the hazards and risks to health and safety of workers and others, and identifying the opportunities for risk elimination, reduction, and control. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
This goes well beyond the traditional remit of factory-floor health and safety. The landscape has changed rapidly over the last few years, and is now inclusive of automation, mental wellbeing, homeworking and lone working, Brexit contingencies and the control of infection, amongst others. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Occupational health and safety management systems also need to take into account external influencing factors. Has the company taken on new legal responsibilities, perhaps as an importer of chemicals or work equipment from Europe? Red-On-Line can be your invaluable partner in establishing cross-border legal registers to assist you in these matters.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Planning activities should maintain and improve your risk assessment process. This should take into account changing hazards and the effectiveness of the measures taken to control them. But what hazards need to be taken into account in planning an OHMS?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Clause 6 also encourages the identification of any other hazards, risks and opportunities related to achieving the aims of your OHSMS. Make sure that the methodology and criteria for assessing your organisational OH&S risks are clearly documented.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
A plan should also be established, implemented, and maintained for seeking opportunities to enhance OH&S performance. Seize the chance to seek OH&S improvements during changes to the organisation and the activities therein. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Perhaps a new warehouse is to be built; or new information systems are to be installed; or there is a significant change in the management structure of a department. Think how much OH&S can be designed into those changes from the very beginning. Change is regarded as a great opportunity on which to piggyback improvements to the work environment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Importantly, an organisation needs to address what legal requirements and other requirements (e.g. permits and licencing) are applicable to its hazards, risks, and management system and what needs to be taken into account when establishing, implementing, maintaining, and continually improving its OHSMS. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Legal requirements may be national, regional, or international and access to Red-On-Line software systems to manage up-to-date regulatory content is invaluable in this respect. The organization must prepare and maintain documented information on its legal requirements and ensure that it is updated to reflect any changes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Plan to achieve your OH&S objectives and make sure these plans are consistent with your OH&S Policy. Objectives should be set at relevant functions and levels in order to maintain and continually improve the OH&S systems and performance. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
They should be communicated: what will be done, the resources needed, who will be responsible and over what timescales. Any actions need to be proportionate to the risk of course. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Necessary resources need to be costed for implementation and ongoing operation, including any necessary processes, equipment, training, monitoring and communication mechanisms. Document how progress will be monitored, measured, and evaluated. And keep it up to date.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
ISO 45001:2018 Clause 5- \u2018Leadership and Worker Participation<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n ISO 45001:2018 Clause 7 \u2018Support\u2019<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n ISO 45001:2018 Clause 8 \u2018Operation\u2019<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n ISO 45001:2018 Clause 9 \u2018Performance Evaluation\u2019<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n