ISO 45009 – Leadership and governance

What is ISO 45009?

ISO 45009, Leadership and governance in an occupational health and safety management system, is a forthcoming international standard that gives top management and boards a clear and practical foundation for strengthening leadership and governance in occupational health and safety work. The standard serves as a supplement to ISO 45001 and helps organisations ensure accountability, transparency and effective management of occupational health and safety risks – both strategically and operationally.

ISO 45009 can be used by any organisation, regardless of size or sector, wishing to professionalise its occupational health and safety efforts through stronger management commitment, clearer roles and better decision-making.

The purpose of ISO 45009 is to:

• ensure that occupational health and safety management is integrated into the organisation's overall governance and business strategy
• clarify roles, responsibilities and decision-making authority among the board, executive management and leadership teams
• create systematic processes for supervision, evaluation, reporting and follow-up
• support a culture in which occupational health and safety is seen as a core element of organisational value creation

ISO 45009 provides concrete examples and principles for: leadership and responsibility, strategic management, and governance processes.

With ISO 45009, you will gain:

• an internationally recognised foundation for good leadership and governance in occupational health and safety work
• clearer distribution of roles and responsibilities between the board, executive management and leaders
• stronger strategic integration between business, risk management and occupational health and safety
• clear processes for reporting, evaluation and follow-up
• a solid foundation for continuous improvement, culture development and maturity