Pickerings Lifts is pleased to announce that it is one of the first companies in the UK to achieve ISO 45001 accreditation – the new occupational health and safety standard.

What is ISO 45001?

ISO 45001 was introduced in March 2018 and supersedes the existing OHSAS 18001 standard. Over 70 countries were involved in its creation.

Organisations have until March 2021 to migrate to ISO 45001.

ISO 45001 serves as a framework in establishing, implementing, maintaining and improving occupational health and safety standards across an organisation. It allows organisations to prove that they are able to keep staff as well as members of the public safe from workplace injury and disease.

‘An ongoing commitment to safety’

Amanda Stonier, QHSE Manager at Pickerings Lifts oversaw the move from the old standard to the new standard. She said “Pickerings Lifts has a reputation for being one of the most long-standing, reliable engineering companies in the country.

Our accreditation was not due for renewal until 2020, however we were keen to achieve the new standard as quickly as possible to show our ongoing commitment to safety.”

“There is a greater emphasis on manager and worker commitment in ISO 45001 than there was in OHSAS 18001, meaning that companies need to be more proactive in identifying risks and taking responsibility for their actions, something that we know that we are achieving as a business.”

In order to achieve the standard, Pickerings Lifts existing health and safety management systems and processes were externally audited by Independent European Certification Limited.

Amanda said: “We’re delighted to achieve ISO 45001. The standard is a testament to our staff and the hard work they do to keep themselves, their colleagues, and our customers, safe.”

Pickerings Lifts also holds accreditation for ISO 9001 (quality management) and ISO 14001 (environmental management).