ISO 45001

Term from Safety industry explained for recruiters

ISO 45001 is an international standard that helps organizations create a safe workplace. Think of it as a structured guidebook that companies follow to prevent accidents and protect worker health. It replaced an older standard called OHSAS 18001. When you see this on a resume, it means the person has experience with workplace safety programs that meet global standards. This is similar to how restaurants follow food safety guidelines, but for overall workplace safety. Companies get "certified" in ISO 45001 to show they take safety seriously, and they need people who understand how to maintain this certification.

Examples in Resumes

Led implementation of ISO 45001 certification process across 3 manufacturing sites

Conducted internal audits to maintain ISO 45001 compliance

Trained 200+ employees on ISO 45001 safety management requirements

Typical job title: "Safety Managers"

Also try searching for:

Health and Safety Manager EHS Manager Safety Coordinator HSE Manager Occupational Health and Safety Specialist Safety Compliance Manager EHS Director

Example Interview Questions

Senior Level Questions

Q: How would you implement ISO 45001 in a company that has no existing safety management system?

Expected Answer: Should discuss creating a implementation plan, getting management buy-in, conducting initial gap analysis, developing policies and procedures, training staff, and establishing monitoring systems. Should emphasize importance of employee involvement and communication.

Q: How do you measure the success of an ISO 45001 system?

Expected Answer: Should mention tracking incident rates, audit results, employee engagement metrics, training completion rates, and regular management reviews. Should also discuss leading vs lagging indicators and continuous improvement.

Mid Level Questions

Q: What are the key differences between ISO 45001 and OHSAS 18001?

Expected Answer: Should explain that ISO 45001 has more focus on management leadership, worker participation, and risk-based thinking. Should mention the new high-level structure that aligns with other ISO standards.

Q: How do you conduct an internal ISO 45001 audit?

Expected Answer: Should describe the audit process including planning, document review, interviews, site inspections, reporting findings, and following up on corrective actions.

Junior Level Questions

Q: What are the main elements of ISO 45001?

Expected Answer: Should list key elements like leadership commitment, worker participation, hazard identification, risk assessment, emergency preparedness, and continuous improvement.

Q: What documentation is required for ISO 45001?

Expected Answer: Should mention safety policy, procedures, risk assessments, incident reports, training records, and audit reports as basic required documentation.

Experience Level Indicators

Junior (0-2 years)

  • Basic understanding of safety management systems
  • Conducting safety inspections
  • Maintaining safety documentation
  • Assisting with safety training

Mid (2-5 years)

  • Internal auditing
  • Risk assessment
  • Incident investigation
  • Employee safety training delivery

Senior (5+ years)

  • Implementation of ISO 45001 systems
  • Leading certification processes
  • Developing safety strategies
  • Managing safety teams

Red Flags to Watch For

  • No practical experience with safety management systems
  • Lack of knowledge about basic safety principles
  • No experience with risk assessments or hazard identification
  • Poor understanding of safety regulations and compliance requirements