How to Get ISO 45001 Certification: Occupational Health & Safety Guide 2026

ISO 45001:2018 is the international standard for Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) Management Systems, replacing the former OHSAS 18001. For South African companies operating in high-risk industries—<a href='/sa-tenders/categories/construction'>construction</a>, <a href='/sa-tenders/categories/mining'>mining</a>, <a href='/sa-tenders/categories/manufacturing'>manufacturing</a>, and hazardous materials handling—ISO 45001 certification demonstrates a world-class commitment to worker safety and increasingly opens doors to government contracts where OHS compliance is a critical evaluation criterion.

South Africa's Department of Employment and Labour (DoEL), the Department of Mineral Resources and <a href='/sa-tenders/categories/energy'>Energy</a> (DMRE), and major state-owned enterprises like Eskom, Transnet, and SANRAL increasingly specify ISO 45001 certification or equivalent OHS management system compliance for contractors working on their sites. Whether you're a <a href='/glossary#cidb'>CIDB</a>-graded <a href='/sa-tenders/categories/construction'>construction</a> company, a <a href='/sa-tenders/categories/mining'>mining</a> contractor, or a <a href='/sa-tenders/categories/manufacturing'>manufacturing</a> supplier, this guide covers everything you need to achieve and maintain ISO 45001 certification.

What is ISO 45001 and Why Does It Matter for Tenders?

ISO 45001 provides a framework for organizations to manage occupational health and safety risks and opportunities. It helps organizations proactively prevent work-related injuries, ill health, and fatalities while providing safe and healthy workplaces.

For government <a href='/sa-tenders/categories/supplies'>procurement</a> in South Africa, ISO 45001 certification signals commitment to safety excellence:

• <strong><a href='/glossary#cidb'>CIDB</a> Grade 5+ Tenders:</strong> Higher-grade <a href='/sa-tenders/categories/construction'>construction</a> tenders increasingly specify ISO 45001 or equivalent
• <strong><a href='/sa-tenders/categories/mining'>Mining</a> Sector:</strong> DMRE and mining houses require robust OHS systems; ISO 45001 demonstrates compliance intent
• <strong>SOE Requirements:</strong> Eskom, Transnet, SANRAL, and PRASA specify OHS management system requirements for contractors
• <strong>Functionality Points:</strong> ISO 45001 often attracts additional functionality points in tender evaluation
• <strong>Prequalification:</strong> May be required for prequalification on certain high-risk project panels
• <strong>Risk Reduction:</strong> <a href='/sa-tenders/categories/supplies'>Procurement</a> officials view certified contractors as lower liability risk

ISO 45001 vs OHSAS 18001

OHSAS 18001 was officially withdrawn in March 2021. Organizations previously certified to OHSAS 18001 should have transitioned to ISO 45001. Key differences include:

Who Should Get ISO 45001 Certified?

ISO 45001 is particularly relevant for organizations where worker safety is a significant concern or requirement:

• <strong><a href='/sa-tenders/categories/construction'>Construction</a> contractors:</strong> <a href='/glossary#cidb'>CIDB</a>-registered contractors, especially grades 5-9, working on infrastructure projects
• <strong><a href='/sa-tenders/categories/mining'>Mining</a> contractors:</strong> Companies providing services on mines under DMRE and MHSA jurisdiction
• <strong><a href='/sa-tenders/categories/manufacturing'>Manufacturing</a> companies:</strong> Factories with machinery, chemical processes, or physical hazards
• <strong>Maintenance contractors:</strong> Electrical, mechanical, and facility maintenance service providers
• <strong><a href='/sa-tenders/categories/transport'>Transport</a> and logistics:</strong> Fleet operators, hazardous material transporters
• <strong>Chemical and hazardous materials:</strong> Companies handling dangerous substances
• <strong>Security companies:</strong> Armed security and high-risk <a href='/sa-tenders/categories/security'>guarding</a> services

ISO 45001 Key Requirements

ISO 45001 follows the High Level Structure common to modern ISO management system standards. Key requirements include:

Clause 4: Context of the Organization

• Understand external and internal issues affecting OHS performance
• Identify needs and expectations of workers and other interested parties
• Determine scope of the OHS management system

Clause 5: Leadership and Worker Participation

• Top management must demonstrate leadership and commitment
• Establish OHS policy aligned with organizational strategy
• Assign clear roles, responsibilities, and authorities
• Ensure consultation and participation of workers

Clause 6: Planning

• Identify hazards and assess OH&S risks and opportunities
• Determine legal and other requirements
• Plan actions to address risks and opportunities
• Establish OHS objectives and plans to achieve them

Clause 7: Support

• Provide necessary resources
• Ensure worker competence through <a href='/sa-tenders/categories/education'>training</a> and experience
• Maintain awareness of OHS policy and individual contribution
• Establish internal and external communication processes
• Document required information - less prescriptive than OHSAS 18001

Clause 8: Operation

• Implement and control operational processes
• Establish hierarchy of controls (elimination, substitution, engineering, administrative, PPE)
• Manage change that could impact OHS
• Control <a href='/sa-tenders/categories/supplies'>procurement</a> and contractor management
• Establish emergency preparedness and response

Clause 9: Performance Evaluation

• Monitor, measure, analyze, and evaluate OHS performance
• Evaluate legal compliance
• Conduct internal audits
• Perform management review

Clause 10: Improvement

• Address incidents, nonconformities, and corrective actions
• Pursue continual improvement of OHS management system

Step-by-Step ISO 45001 Certification Process

1. <strong>Management Commitment:</strong> Secure top management buy-in and commitment—without leadership support, implementation will fail
2. <strong>Gap Analysis:</strong> Compare current OHS practices against ISO 45001 requirements to identify gaps
3. <strong>Define Scope:</strong> Clearly define which sites, activities, and processes are covered
4. <strong>Hazard Identification:</strong> Conduct comprehensive hazard identification across all work activities
5. <strong>Risk Assessment:</strong> Assess risks and opportunities using structured methodology
6. <strong>Legal Compliance Review:</strong> Identify all applicable OHS legal requirements (OHS Act, MHSA, regulations)
7. <strong>Develop Documentation:</strong> Create OHS policy, procedures, risk assessments, and operational controls
8. <strong>Implement Controls:</strong> Put risk controls in place following hierarchy of controls
9. <strong>Train Staff:</strong> Ensure all workers understand their OHS responsibilities and are competent
10. <strong>Internal Audit:</strong> Conduct internal audit against ISO 45001 requirements
11. <strong>Management Review:</strong> Top management reviews OHS performance and system effectiveness
12. <strong>Certification Audit:</strong> Engage SANAS-accredited certification body for Stage 1 and Stage 2 audits
13. <strong>Address Findings:</strong> Implement corrective actions for any audit findings
14. <strong>Achieve Certification:</strong> Receive ISO 45001 certificate upon successful completion

ISO 45001 Certification Costs

<strong>Note:</strong> Costs vary based on organization size, number of sites, complexity of hazards, and existing OHS systems. Organizations with mature safety practices may require less implementation support.

Timeline: How Long Does Certification Take?

• <strong>Organizations with existing OHS systems:</strong> 4-6 months
• <strong>Organizations starting from scratch:</strong> 8-12 months
• <strong>Multi-site organizations:</strong> 12-18 months
• <strong>Minimum implementation period:</strong> 3 months of documented system operation before certification audit

ISO 45001 and South African OHS Legislation

ISO 45001 certification does not replace compliance with South African OHS legislation. Your OHS management system should integrate requirements from:

• <strong>Occupational Health and Safety Act (OHSA) 85 of 1993:</strong> Primary legislation for general workplaces
• <strong>Mine Health and Safety Act (MHSA) 29 of 1996:</strong> For <a href='/sa-tenders/categories/mining'>mining</a> operations
• <strong><a href='/sa-tenders/categories/construction'>Construction</a> Regulations 2014:</strong> Specific requirements for construction sites
• <strong>Driven Machinery Regulations:</strong> For powered equipment operation
• <strong>Hazardous Chemical Substances Regulations:</strong> For handling chemicals
• <strong><a href='/glossary#coida'>COIDA</a>:</strong> Compensation requirements (see <a href='/blog/how-to-get-coida-letter-good-standing'>COIDA Guide</a>)

Integration with Other Management Systems

ISO 45001 uses the same High Level Structure as ISO 9001 and ISO 14001, making integration straightforward. Many organizations implement an Integrated Management System (IMS) covering:

• <strong>ISO 9001:</strong> Quality Management
• <strong>ISO 14001:</strong> Environmental Management
• <strong>ISO 45001:</strong> Occupational Health & Safety

An integrated approach reduces documentation burden, streamlines audits, and provides comprehensive management system coverage.

Related Resources

• <a href='/industries/construction'>Construction Industry Guide</a> - Tender requirements for <a href='/sa-tenders/categories/construction'>construction</a>
• <a href='/industries/mining'>Mining Industry Guide</a> - <a href='/sa-tenders/categories/mining'>Mining</a> sector compliance
• <a href='/blog/cidb-guide-construction-tenders'>CIDB Registration Guide</a> - <a href='/sa-tenders/categories/construction'>Construction</a> contractor grading
• <a href='/blog/how-to-get-coida-letter-good-standing'>COIDA Compliance</a> - Compensation Fund requirements
• <a href='/blog/how-to-get-iso-9001-certification'>ISO 9001 Certification</a> - Quality management