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OHSAS 18001 vs. AS/NZS 4801: Key Differences, Compliance Requirements, and Benefits of OHS Management Systems
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Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) management systems are critical for organizations aiming to ensure workplace safety, comply with legal requirements, and foster a culture of continuous improvement. Two prominent standards in this domain are OHSAS 18001 and AS/NZS 4801. While OHSAS 18001 is an internationally recognized standard, AS/NZS 4801 is tailored specifically for Australia and New Zealand. Both standards aim to help organizations manage health and safety risks effectively, but they differ in scope, structure, and compliance requirements. This blog explores the key differences between these standards, their benefits, and how organizations can align with their requirements to enhance workplace safety and operational efficiency.
OHSAS 18001 was developed by BSI in 1993, this standard focuses on maintaining health and safety at the workplace whereas AS/NZS 4801 standard was developed by the Joint Australian/New Zealand Standard and was prepared by the Joint Technical Committee. Below is an overview about both the standards.
Occupational Health and Safety Assessment Series is for health and safety management systems. It is intended to help an organization control and manage occupational health and safety risks.
It was developed in response to widespread demand for a recognized standard against which an organization could be certified and assessed.
Main emphasis is on the elimination, reduction or control of hazards and risks associated with the business
Structure and content of the system is guided by the OHS legislative obligations for the business:
System scope extends to ‘everyone” entering the premises of the organization
AS/NZS 4801 is the certification standard for an OHSMS (Occupational Health and Safety Management System) in Australia and New Zealand.
OHSAS 18001 (Occupational Health and Safety Assessment Series) is an internationally recognized standard
These standards are complimented by AS/NZS 4804/OHSAS 18002-Guidelines for the implementation of AS/NZS 4801 & OHSAS 18001, respectively
The guidance notes (Appendices) in AS/NZS 4801 and OHSAS 18001 are providing additional information on the requirements of this standard and correspondence between ISO 9001 and ISO 14001.
Table of Contents
OHSAS 18001 vs. AS/NZS 4801: Key Differences at a Glance
Feature | OHSAS 18001 | AS/NZS 4801 |
Developed by | British Standards Institution (BSI) | Standards Australia & Standards New Zealand |
Geographic focus | Internationally recognized | Primarily used in Australia and New Zealand |
Legal alignment | General OH&S management framework | Closely aligned with Australian and New Zealand WHS/OHS legislation |
Certification recognition | Widely accepted by international certification bodies | Mainly recognized within Australia and New Zealand |
Current status | Withdrawn and replaced by ISO 45001:2018 | Largely superseded by ISO 45001:2018 |
Bottom line: if you are pursuing new certification today, implement ISO 45001. Both legacy standards now matter mainly to organizations managing a transition from an existing certificate.
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Transitioning from OHSAS 18001 or AS/NZS 4801 to ISO 45001
Both standards were effectively superseded by ISO 45001:2018. The official transition period closed in March 2021, and certificates under the older standards are no longer valid for new business use.
If your organization still operates under a legacy system, the practical path is:
- Run a gap analysis against ISO 45001’s risk-based structure, which follows the Annex SL framework.
- Close the gaps in policy, risk assessment, documentation, and roles.
- Complete a transition audit with your certification body, rather than starting certification from scratch.
If you are certifying for the first time, go straight to ISO 45001. It is the current international standard your certification body will issue.
The Benefits of OHS Management Systems:
Compliance with Legislation.
Ownership of Health & Safety Issues.
Nominal effort required.
Training needs are identified & realized.
Reduce Costs.
Ongoing improvement.
Liabilities minimized.
Important Definitions to understand in OHSAS 18001:
- Hazard: Source, situation, or act with a potential for harm in terms of human injury or ill health, or a combination of these
- Hazard Identification: Process of recognizing that a hazard exists and defining its characteristics
- Risk: Combination of the likelihood of an occurrence of a hazardous event or exposure(s) and the severity of injury or ill health that can be caused by the event or exposure(s)
- Risk Assessment: Process of evaluating the risk(s) arising from a hazard(s), taking into account the adequacy of any existing controls, and deciding whether or not the risk(s) is acceptable
- Incident: work-related event(s) in which an injury or ill health (regardless of severity) or fatality occurred, or could have occurred.
NOTE 1: An accident is an incident which has given rise to injury, ill health or fatality.
NOTE 2: An incident where no injury, ill health, or fatality occurs may also be referred to as a “near-miss”, “near-hit” “close call” or “dangerous occurrence”.
NOTE 3: An emergency situation is a particular type of incident
- Acceptable risk
Risk that has been reduced to a level that can be tolerated by the organization having regard to its legal obligations and its own OH&S policy - Occupational health and safety
Conditions and factors that affect, or could affect, the health and safety of employees or other workers (including temporary workers and contractor personnel), visitors, or any other person in the workplace
NOTE Organizations can be subject to legal requirements for the health and safety of persons beyond the immediate workplace, or who are exposed to the workplace activities.
- Audit: systematic, independent and documented process for obtaining “audit evidence” and evaluating it objectively to determine the extent to which “audit criteria” are fulfilled
- Nonconformity: non-fulfilment of a requirement
The role of Continual Improvement in OHSAS 18001:
- Plan: Identify and priorities what needs to be addressed
- Do: Implementing controls to manage these issues
- Check: to ensure they are implemented
- Act: upon the results of our checks to improve the system and performance
How to comply with OHSAS 18001 clauses:
Adhering to the clause requirements of the standard is simple, please read this guide below:
4.1 General Requirements
The organization shall establish, document, implement and maintain an OHSMS, in accordance with the requirements of the OHSMS/OHSAS standards.
4.2 Occupation, Health & Safety Policy
There shall be a Policy statement authorized by top management
Appropriate to the nature & scale of the company’s OH&S Risks
That includes commitment to prevention of injury and ill health and continual improvement in OH&S management performance
That includes a commitment to continual improvement and commitment to comply with OH&S Legislation, and other requirements to which the company
subscribes code of practice which provides framework for setting and reviewing OH&S objectives
Documented, implemented maintained and communicated to all persons working under control of organization with an intent that they understand
OH&S obligation
Made available to interested parties;
Periodically reviewed
What Are the Mandatory Points to Check in an OHSMS Policy?
Checkpoint | What to verify |
Appropriateness to risks | The policy aligns with the significant risks found through hazard identification and risk assessment. |
Commitment to continual improvement | The policy includes the commitment, and records (OHS objectives and targets, monitoring and measurement records, corrective and preventive actions) show performance improving over time. |
Management commitment | The policy commits to comply with legal and other requirements, which may include corporate policies, internal standards, industry codes of practice, and related quality or environmental policies. |
Compatibility with other policies | The policy aligns with corporate or group policies and refers to internal safety standards, specifications, and industry codes. |
Legal compliance | The policy complies with applicable law and is updated when circumstances change, such as new hazards, updated group policies, or achieved objectives. |
Policy communication | Issued copies match the master version, the policy reaches all employees, and updates are shared and recorded. |
Employee awareness | Training and awareness records show employees understand the policy and their responsibilities. Interested parties such as customers, contractors, visitors, and the public receive it where applicable. |
Availability to interested parties | The policy is accessible to relevant stakeholders, and the way updates are communicated is checked. |
Periodic review | The policy is reviewed regularly for relevance and effectiveness, with management review meeting minutes as evidence. |
Conclusion
Implementing an Occupational Health and Safety Management System (OHSMS) like OHSAS 18001 or AS/NZS 4801 is a strategic step toward creating a safer workplace, reducing risks, and ensuring compliance with legal obligations. While OHSAS 18001 offers a global framework, AS/NZS 4801 caters specifically to the regulatory environment of Australia and New Zealand. With the transition from OHSAS 18001 to ISO 45001, organizations now have access to a more robust and risk-based approach to OHS management. By adopting these standards, businesses can not only minimize liabilities and costs but also demonstrate their commitment to employee well-being and operational excellence.
Learn how emergency preparedness and performance evaluation strengthen environmental management systems and ensure effective response and continuous improvement, explore here.
FAQ
What is the main difference between OHSAS 18001 and AS/NZS 4801?
OHSAS 18001 is an internationally recognized standard for Occupational Health and Safety Management Systems (OHSMS), whereas AS/NZS 4801 is specific to Australia and New Zealand. While both focus on workplace safety, AS/NZS 4801 places more emphasis on compliance with local legal requirements.
Has OHSAS 18001 been replaced, and what is its successor?
Yes, OHSAS 18001:2007 has been replaced by ISO 45001:2018, which provides a more structured and risk-based approach to occupational health and safety management. Organizations certified to OHSAS 18001 need to transition to ISO 45001.
Why should an organization implement an OHS Management System like OHSAS 18001 or AS/NZS 4801?
Implementing an OHSMS helps organizations comply with legal requirements, reduce workplace risks, improve safety culture, minimize costs related to workplace incidents, and enhance overall employee well-being. Certification also boosts credibility and stakeholder confidence.
Can I still get certified to OHSAS 18001 or AS/NZS 4801?
No. Both standards have been superseded by ISO 45001:2018. New certification should be to ISO 45001, and organizations holding a legacy certificate should complete a gap analysis and a transition audit.
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