ISO 45001 Clause 5 - Leadership and Worker Participation

Clause 5 of ISO 45001:2018 sets out what top management must do to lead the OH&S management system and what role workers must play in shaping it. It is one of the clauses where ISO 45001 differs most clearly from earlier health and safety standards, because the active participation of workers is built into the structure of the system rather than treated as an optional good practice.

The clause has four sub-clauses covering leadership and commitment, the OH&S policy, organisational roles and responsibilities, and the consultation and participation of workers.

ISO 45001 Clause 5.1 - Leadership and Commitment

Top management demonstrates leadership and commitment by taking overall responsibility for preventing work-related injury and ill health, providing safe and healthy working conditions, integrating the OH&S management system into business processes, and supporting the consultation and participation of workers.

For more on this clause see ISO 45001 Clause 5.1 - Leadership and Commitment.

ISO 45001 Clause 5.2 - OH&S Policy

Top management establishes, implements and maintains an OH&S policy that includes commitments to provide safe and healthy working conditions, fulfil legal requirements, eliminate hazards and reduce risks, continually improve the system, and consult with workers.

For more on this clause see ISO 45001 Clause 5.2 - OH&S Policy.

ISO 45001 Clause 5.3 - Organisational Roles, Responsibilities and Authorities

Top management assigns and communicates the responsibilities and authorities for relevant roles in the OH&S management system, and retains documented information of those assignments.

For more on this clause see ISO 45001 Clause 5.3 - Organisational Roles, Responsibilities and Authorities.

ISO 45001 Clause 5.4 - Consultation and Participation of Workers

The organisation establishes processes for the consultation and participation of workers, and where they exist their representatives, in the development, planning, implementation, performance evaluation and improvement of the OH&S management system.

For more on this clause see ISO 45001 Clause 5.4 - Consultation and Participation of Workers.