According to the International Labour Organization (ILO), currently more than 2.78 million deaths occur as a result of work-related illness or disease, and occupational accidents every year. This is only a fraction of the 347 million non-fatal work-related injuries and illnesses that occur annually, resulting in extended employee absence and turnover, decreased productivity, and increases in insurance premium costs. Not only does poor occupational health and safety management within an organization have negative repercussions from a business and economic standpoint, but beyond that, it impacts families and the communities we are a part of.

While there are existing occupational health and safety management system standards that are popularly employed by organizations, we’re still seeing the number of work-related deaths, illnesses and injuries remain at alarming levels. This is why ISO has created the first global occupational health and safety management system standard, building on OHSAS 18001, and taking into consideration other related standards, occupational health and safety management, and the International Labour Organization’s ILO-OSH 2001 guidelines.