John Nolan
June 22, 2016
ISO 45001:2018 is the standard guide for many businesses on how to establish an OHSMS (Occupational Health & Safety Management System) and ensure that the workplace is safe for employees. Given that this standard is used worldwide, there is understandably a constant demand by organizations who feel they need a consultant to help demonstrate both exactly what the clauses of the standard dictate, and how those specific requirements can relate and be applied to their particular business and its sector. Therefore, it stands to reason that many people wish to become a consultant, so what is the best way to go about achieving this?
Whether working for a consultancy or becoming self-employed, the ISO 45001 consultant differs from many other professions in that there is no single prescribed route to this position in terms of formal qualification and experience. Qualifications such as NEBOSH (National Examination Board in Health & Safety) or IOSH (Institute of Safety & Health), however, can provide a strong foundation for a consultant’s knowledge base, as can the assistance of a degree or diploma from a university or college. Similarly, courses such as those run for ISO 45001 lead auditors can be very informative and helpful, but it is advisable to ensure that the training provider is credible. Over and above formal qualifications there is a special set of skills that a consultant will need to be effective and successful though, so what are they and can they be developed?
It is safe to say that a successful consultant will require a special set of skills, so let us examine them in more detail:
This should all make sense, but is there anything else you can do to prepare yourself?
In one word, “yes.” Just as you wouldn’t let someone drive your car without any experience or driving lessons, it is not wise to appoint a consultant with absolutely no experience. Gaining experience in the workplace, speaking to employees, and finding out how processes work can be the key foundation to undertaking a career as an ISO 45001 consultant. The more industries you work in, the more rounded your experience will be and the greater your ability to identify and find solutions to problems.
While there is no given prescription for success, I would suggest that a balance between formal education and workplace experience is the place to start. Consider key training like internal audit courses, for example – every consultant needs the knowledge of how they work to ensure they are effective, and likewise, the more training you can undertake on relevant components of the standard like audit, hazard, and risk, the better. Use online training, whether for lead auditor, internal auditor, or simply on the standard itself. Read case studies, and if possible, speak to fellow consultants who can provide you with guidance. Vitally, learn from any mistakes you make – you are now part of the continual improvement cycle, too!
Why not use our free Gap Analysis Tool to compare your OH&S system against the requirements of the standard once you start the implementation.