The objective of this blog post is to explain the dependency of the respective clauses referencing back to clause 4 within ISO 9001:2015, ISO 14001:2015 and ISO 45001:2018.
There is a crucial link to be maintained from the requirements within clause 4 right through to all other clauses within these international standards.
Clause 4
Starting Point – Clause 4 requirements:
4.1
Identify and understand the circumstances, and the market in which the organization operates. To be compliant, evidence should be obtained that proves, that the organization is reviewing all pertinent internal and external issues at periodic intervals.
4.2
Identify and understand the needs and Expectations of Interested Parties. Provide evidence that the organization has undergone a process to initially identify these groups, and then to identify any of their requirements that are relevant to the organization’s management system/s.
4.3
This is the first reference back to 4.1 and 4.2 – This is the starting point of the golden thread to the top.
Provide confirmation that the organization has determined the boundaries and applicability of the MS, to establish its scope with reference to any external and internal issues referred to in 4.1 and the requirements of relevant interested parties referred to in 4.2.
Clause 5
5.4
Consultation and participation of workers ISO 45001:2018
The organization shall:
d) emphasize the consultation of non-managerial workers on the following:
1) determining the needs and expectations of interested parties (see 4.2);
Clause 6
6.1
When planning for the management system (MS), the organization shall consider the issues referred to in 4.1 (context), the requirements referred to in 4.2 (interested parties) and 4.3 (the scope of its management system) and determine the risks and opportunities that need to be addressed to:
a) give assurance that the management system can achieve its intended outcome(s);
b) prevent, or reduce, undesired effects;
c) achieve continual improvement.
Maintain record evidence of the following types of input that might be used by the organization for risk and opportunity determination:
1. Analysis of external and internal issues;
2. Strategic direction of the organization;
3. Interested parties, related to its Management System/s, and their requirements;
Clause 7
7.4
The ISO 9001:2015 standard includes the requirement to also communicate with external parties, e.g. those previously defined in Clause 4.2. You should maintain evidence to confirm that your organization has identified the necessary internal and external communications that are required for the operation of the Management System.
Clause 9
9.3
9.3 Management review
Top management shall review the organization’s OH&S management system, at planned intervals, to ensure its continuing suitability, adequacy and effectiveness.
The management review shall include consideration of:
a) the status of actions from previous management reviews;
b) changes in external and internal issues that are relevant to the OH&S management system,
including:
1) the needs and expectations of interested parties;
2) legal requirements and other requirements;
3) risks and opportunities;
The traceability of clause 4.1 and 4.2 needs to be addressed within the respective clauses to ensure compliance to these requirements.
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