The International Labour Organization estimates that more than 2 million deaths every year can be attributed to work activities. This single statistic clearly indicates the pressing need for occupational health and safety regulations, and the importance of a single standard to help organizations put into place processes to ensure compliance.

In response, the Occupational Health and Safety Advisory Services (OHSAS) Project Group created the OHSAS 18001 specification in 1999. It was updated in 2007 to more closely align with the language and structure of ISO 9001 and ISO 14001.

Now, the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) is hard at work crafting a brand-new standard, ISO 45001, which will replace OHSAS 18001. The new standard is scheduled for release in the fall of 2016.

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