Clauses 7.2 and 7.3 of ISO 45001:2018 require organizations to ensure workers are competent to perform their tasks safely and are aware of the OH&S policy, their contribution to the management system, and the implications of not conforming to requirements. Training management is the primary mechanism for achieving competence, but experience and education also qualify.
Clause 7.2: Competence
Organizations must determine the necessary competence of workers that affects or can affect OH&S performance, ensure workers are competent based on appropriate education, training, or experience, take actions to acquire and maintain necessary competence (and evaluate the effectiveness of those actions), and retain documented information as evidence of competence.
Best Practices for Competence
- Develop a competence matrix linking job roles to required safety competencies
- Use training management software to track and automate training requirements
- Include competence verification (testing, observation) beyond just attendance records
- Address contractor competence through pre-qualification and onsite verification
- Plan refresher training at defined intervals for critical safety tasks
- Maintain training records demonstrating both initial and refresher training
Clause 7.3: Awareness
Workers must be aware of the OH&S policy and relevant objectives, their contribution to the effectiveness of the OHSMS (including benefits of improved performance), the implications of not conforming to OHSMS requirements, relevant incidents and outcomes of investigations, hazards and OH&S risks relevant to them, and the ability to remove themselves from work situations they consider to present imminent danger to their life or health.
Best Practices for Awareness
- Use multiple communication methods: toolbox talks, digital displays, posters, mobile apps
- Share incident investigation results (lessons learned) promptly and broadly
- Include OH&S awareness in new employee orientation and contractor onboarding
- Conduct periodic awareness assessments through quizzes or conversations
- Ensure awareness materials are available in languages understood by all workers
Common Pitfalls
- Tracking training attendance without verifying competence was achieved
- Not including contractors and temporary workers in competence requirements
- Failing to update training when processes, equipment, or hazards change
- Not informing workers of their right to remove themselves from dangerous situations
