ISO 45001
ISO 45001 is the international standard for occupational health and safety (OH&S) management systems. It provides a framework to identify hazards, control risks, and continually improve worker safety, helping organisations reduce workplace injury and illness.
ISO 45001 is the international standard that specifies requirements for an occupational health and safety (OH&S) management system. Published by ISO, it gives organisations a framework to identify hazards, assess and control risks, engage workers, and continually improve safety performance. It replaced the earlier OHSAS 18001 standard and uses the same high-level structure as ISO 9001 and ISO 14001.
Why it matters
A structured OH&S management system helps organisations prevent work-related injury and illness and demonstrate due diligence to regulators, clients, and insurers. In Australia, ISO 45001 certification supports an organisation’s ability to meet its Work Health and Safety obligations, though certification is voluntary and separate from the legal duties imposed by WHS legislation. Many large clients and tenders require suppliers to hold it.
How MapTrack helps
MapTrack supports an ISO 45001 system by keeping inspection records, hazard reports, corrective actions, and equipment compliance evidence in one auditable place, making it easier to demonstrate the documented information the standard expects.
Related on MapTrack
Related guides
Stay ahead of every inspection deadline
Automated reminders, digital checklists and audit-ready records in MapTrack.
- No credit card required
- 30 days free trial
- Cancel anytime
Frequently asked questions
Is ISO 45001 mandatory in Australia?
No. ISO 45001 certification is voluntary. The legal obligations for workplace safety in Australia come from the Work Health and Safety (WHS) Act and Regulations in most states and territories. Many organisations choose ISO 45001 because it provides a recognised framework for meeting those obligations and is often required by major clients, but holding the standard is a business decision rather than a legal requirement.
What is the difference between ISO 45001 and OHSAS 18001?
ISO 45001 superseded OHSAS 18001 as the international occupational health and safety standard. ISO 45001 adopts the same high-level structure as other ISO management standards, places greater emphasis on worker participation and leadership accountability, and takes a stronger risk-based and context-driven approach. Organisations certified to the older OHSAS 18001 were required to transition to ISO 45001.
Related terms
Safety Management System (SMS)
A safety management system (SMS) is a structured framework of policies, procedures, responsibilities, and processes that an organisation uses to manage workplace health and safety risks. It typically includes hazard identification, risk assessment, incident reporting, emergency planning, training, auditing, and management review. In Australia, an SMS aligns with the WHS Act duties and may follow standards such as AS/NZS ISO 45001.
ISO 55001
ISO 55001 is the international standard that sets out the requirements for establishing, implementing, maintaining, and improving an asset management system. Part of the ISO 55000 family, it helps organisations manage physical assets across their lifecycle to realise value while balancing cost, risk, and performance. It applies to any organisation with significant assets, from utilities and transport to manufacturing and facilities.
ISO 9001
ISO 9001 is the international standard that specifies requirements for a quality management system (QMS). It helps organisations consistently provide products and services that meet customer and regulatory requirements, and to improve over time. Built on principles such as customer focus, leadership, process approach, and continual improvement, it is the most widely used standard in the ISO 9000 family and applies to organisations of any size or sector.
WHS compliance software
WHS compliance software is a digital platform that helps organisations meet Work Health and Safety obligations by managing inspections, incident reporting, risk assessments, corrective actions and audit trails. It replaces paper-based compliance registers with a single system of record that tracks what was checked, when, by whom and what evidence was attached.
Hazard Identification
Hazard identification is the systematic process of recognising conditions, activities, materials, or situations in the workplace that have the potential to cause harm. It is the first step in the risk management process defined under Australian WHS legislation. Methods include workplace inspections, task observations, incident and near-miss analysis, consultation with workers, review of safety data sheets, and analysis of equipment manuals and manufacturer guidance.
See how MapTrack handles iso 45001
Ready to track every asset?
Join construction, mining and field service teams across Australia.
4.9 on G2 · 4.9 on Capterra
- No credit card required
- 30 days free trial
- Cancel anytime