ISO 45004
ISO 45004 occupational health and safety performance evaluation
ISO 45004 consulting helps companies use occupational health and safety data in management decisions. Vosurein works with safety and operations teams to define what to assess, how to collect data and how results will inform improvements, so reports lead to action.
Discuss ISO 45004 occupational health and safety performance evaluation consulting
For Your Business
Who this service is for and when to start
Suitable for companies that already have occupational safety indicators but find it difficult to interpret effectiveness, or wish to integrate data from multiple sites. Before updating annual goals, conducting management reviews, or implementing major measures, indicators can be reviewed to see if they sufficiently reflect the issues that need management.
The Challenge
Common challenges faced by businesses
A low number of incidents does not necessarily mean good control; it may also relate to scale, exposure level, or reporting method. Using only the number of cases to compare different sites can easily lead to incorrect conclusions.
If an indicator only requires a decrease in numbers, problems may not be reported easily; it is also necessary to check data quality, interpretation conditions, and management behaviors.
Our Approach
Methods and applicable requirements
ISO 45004:2024 provides guidance on monitoring, measuring, analysing and evaluating occupational health and safety performance, including relevant indicators. It can be used independently or within systems such as ISO 45001. Improving indicators does not create a separate certification scheme.
The priorities below depend on the organisation’s context. Confirm the scope and level of supporting evidence at the start.
Indicator Planning
Start from the management questions that need answers, while also reviewing preventive activities and outcomes. Each indicator should explain how it supports decision-making.
Data Quality
Define data sources, calculation boundaries, denominators and frequency. Align definitions across sites and document conditions that prevent direct comparison.
Analysis and Interpretation
Understand trends in the context of workload, exposure, and management changes, distinguishing real improvement from changes in statistical scope.
Decision-Making and Improvement
Connect assessment results to actions, resources, and responsibilities; if an indicator cannot provide effective judgment, it should be adjusted rather than permanently retained.
Process
Consulting scope and process
Identify management issues
Organize existing indicators and management needs, and confirm the assessment scope that needs improvement this time.
Align data definitions
Check sample data, sources, and denominators to establish a consistent collection and verification method.
Trial calculation and discussion
Test indicators using actual period data and discuss whether the results can support management decisions and what limitations exist.
Incorporate into the management cycle
Confirm update frequency, responsible persons, and improvement tracking, and record reasons for indicator adjustments.
Preparation
What documents do companies need to prepare?
- Occupational safety and health (OSH) goals: Management issues, annual targets, and actions.
- Indicators and definitions: Calculation methods, data scope, and sources.
- Basic records: Working hours, activities, incidents, and inspection data.
- Review results: Meeting records, analyses, and improvement decision documentation.
An index or summary is enough for an initial discussion. Before sharing personal data, confidential contract information or system records, agree on access authorisation, redaction and retention.
Project Planning
Estimating time and cost
Costs depend on the number of indicators, differences between sites’ data and the historical period to review. Assign data-cleaning responsibilities if records are scattered. Dashboard development, system integration and specialist measurements need separate scopes.
FAQ
Frequently asked questions
Is zero incidents the best performance?
Not by itself. Understand exposure to hazards, reporting practices and implementation of controls before interpreting the result.
Can different plants be compared directly?
First confirm if definitions, denominators, and operating conditions are consistent; when differences are large, analyze in groups and explain limitations.
Are more indicators more complete?
Not necessarily. Indicators that do not inform decisions add to the data collection burden. Focus on the issues that need management attention.
Can it be used without ISO 45001?
Yes, this guideline can be independently used for OSH performance assessment but still needs to align with the company’s actual management and legal work requirements.
Will a digital dashboard be built?
Indicators and data requirements can be organized first; whether system development and integration are included needs separate agreement.
How to compare after data corrections?
Record the reason for a correction and its effects. Recalculate comparable periods where needed, and explain any use of different definitions or calculation methods.
Related
Related services and enquiries
Tell us your industry, the activities you want to improve, your existing system and your target completion date so we can define the scope together.
Content checked: . Applicable versions and requirements depend on the company’s circumstances.
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