Standards Comparison

    ISO 45001

    Voluntary
    2018

    International standard for occupational health and safety management systems

    VS

    ISO 55001

    Voluntary
    2014

    International standard for asset management systems

    Quick Verdict

    ISO 45001 provides OH&S management systems to prevent workplace injuries globally, while ISO 55001 establishes asset management systems for lifecycle value optimization. Organizations adopt them for safer workplaces and efficient asset performance, integrating via shared Annex SL structure.

    Occupational Health & Safety

    ISO 45001

    ISO 45001:2018 Occupational Health and Safety Management Systems

    Cost
    €€€
    Complexity
    High
    Implementation Time
    6-12 months

    Key Features

    • Strong top management accountability and worker participation
    • Risk-based approach to hazards and opportunities
    • Hierarchy of controls prioritizing hazard elimination
    • Annex SL structure for IMS integration
    • PDCA cycle for continual OH&S improvement
    Asset Management

    ISO 55001

    ISO 55001:2024 Asset management — Management systems — Requirements

    Cost
    €€€€
    Complexity
    High
    Implementation Time
    12-18 months

    Key Features

    • Mandates Strategic Asset Management Plan (SAMP)
    • Annex SL structure integrates with other ISO standards
    • Applies Plan-Do-Check-Act (PDCA) cycle
    • Requires formal decision-making framework
    • Balances risks, opportunities, cost, performance

    Detailed Analysis

    A comprehensive look at the specific requirements, scope, and impact of each standard.

    ISO 45001 Details

    What It Is

    ISO 45001:2018 is the international standard for Occupational Health and Safety Management Systems (OHSMS). It provides a framework to prevent work-related injuries and ill health, improve OH&S performance, using a risk-based, PDCA (Plan-Do-Check-Act) approach aligned with Annex SL for integration.

    Key Components

    • Clauses 4-10 cover context, leadership, planning, support, operation, evaluation, improvement.
    • Emphasizes hierarchy of controls, worker participation, change management.
    • No fixed controls; scalable requirements with documented information.
    • Certification via accredited bodies with audits.

    Why Organizations Use It

    • Reduces incidents, legal risks, costs; enhances resilience.
    • Builds stakeholder trust, insurance savings, market advantage.
    • Integrates with ISO 9001/14001 for efficiency.
    • Drives culture shift to proactive safety.

    Implementation Overview

    • Phased: gap analysis, policy/objectives, controls, audits (6-12 months typical).
    • Applicable all sizes/sectors; voluntary certification.
    • Involves leadership commitment, worker consultation, KPIs.

    ISO 55001 Details

    What It Is

    ISO 55001:2024 specifies requirements for establishing, implementing, maintaining, and improving an Asset Management System (AMS). It enables organizations to realize value from assets across lifecycles, balancing performance, risks, and costs. The standard uses Annex SL high-level structure and Plan-Do-Check-Act (PDCA) cycle for integration with other ISO management systems.

    Key Components

    • Clauses 4–10: context, leadership, planning, support, operation, performance evaluation, improvement
    • 72 mandatory "shall" requirements
    • Core: Strategic Asset Management Plan (SAMP), decision-making framework, risk/opportunity actions
    • Certification via accredited audits

    Why Organizations Use It

    • Optimizes asset lifecycle value in utilities, infrastructure, manufacturing
    • Addresses regulatory pressures, cost spirals, stakeholder expectations
    • Enhances resilience, reduces downtime, ensures compliance
    • Builds trust, competitive differentiation through certification

    Implementation Overview

    • Phased: gap analysis, SAMP development, training, process integration
    • Suits all sizes, asset-intensive sectors globally
    • Involves documentation, competence proof, internal audits
    • Optional third-party certification with surveillance

    Key Differences

    Scope

    ISO 45001
    Occupational health & safety management
    ISO 55001
    Asset management system lifecycle value

    Industry

    ISO 45001
    All sectors, high-risk emphasized
    ISO 55001
    Asset-intensive like utilities, infrastructure

    Nature

    ISO 45001
    Voluntary certification standard
    ISO 55001
    Voluntary certification standard

    Testing

    ISO 45001
    Internal audits, management reviews
    ISO 55001
    Internal audits, performance indicators

    Penalties

    ISO 45001
    Loss of certification, no legal fines
    ISO 55001
    Loss of certification, no legal fines

    Frequently Asked Questions

    Common questions about ISO 45001 and ISO 55001

    ISO 45001 FAQ

    ISO 55001 FAQ

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