AS/NZS 4801 or ISO 45001?

We get questions from clients who are confused with which safety system they should have.

For years the majority of Australian organisations operated a safety system based on the Australian safety standard AS/NZS 4801. Organizations were also able to choose a system that meet the requirements of the intranational safety standard OHSAS 18001. In March 2018 a new international safety standard ISO 45001 has been published and replaced OHSAS 18001. Organizations who are already certified to OHSAS 18001 will need to upgrade to ISO 45001 by March 2021.

There are many similarities between AS/NZS 4801 and OHSAS 18001. The choice between AS/NZS 4801 and OHSAS 18001 was up to the organization. Most of our clients choose to be certified under the Australian standard AS/NZS 4801. Few who operated internationally asked to be certified under the international standard. Organisations that had a 4801 system were able to easily make the changes required to be certified under the international 18001.

is AS/NZS 4801 still Current?

Standards Australia has marked 4801 as ‘Superseded’ and ‘Published, Obsolete’.  As such, any organisation which previously had 4801 should move to 45001 if they do not require 4801 for legislative or contractual reasons.

The reason 4801 has not been withdrawn is that several states and territories still have it as a legislated requirement for tenders in certain spheres.  Once this legislation is revoked in those states and territories, Standards Australia will be able to and shall, revoke 4801.  Until that time 4801 remains in force but only for whom those organisations have a requirement to meet the Standard.

What is the timeline for Migration from AS/NZS 4801 to ISO 45001?

The timeline for certified organisations to migrate from AS/NZS 4801 to ISO 45001:2018 has been extended to 13 July 2023. If you do not have contractual or legislative requirements for 4801 you must transition to 45001. 

How to Migrate from AS /NZS 4801 to ISO 45001?

ISO Global senior consultants have reviewed the ISO 45001 and the differences between AS/NZS 4801 and ISO 45001 and our team are ready to assist you in the transition or the development of a new system based on ISO 45001.

Contact us today to learn how our consultants can assist you to easily transition your 4801 to the 45001.