The U.S. Department of Labor estimates that 2.2 million workers worldwide lose their lives each year due to workplace-related accidents, injuries, and diseases, and that another 4.1 million workers in the United States suffer serious work-related illnesses or injury. These and other sobering statistics and news headlines about workplace deaths and injuries underscore the importance of programs to protect the health and safety of workers. They also explain the growing interest among organizations in occupational health and safety (OH&S) management systems, and their potential to reduce workplace-related accidents.

In an effort to address this interest, the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) is involved in a multi-year process to develop a recognized international standard detailing the requirements of OH&S management systems. The standard development process, which began in October 2013, is expected to result in the publication of ISO 45001 in late 2016 or early 2017. When published, ISO 45001 will likely become the primary standard for OH&S management systems, supplanting OHSAS 18001 and other national standards addressing OH&S issues.

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