Legal Requirements for Workplace Safety: A Compliance Guide by ISOHS

International Standards

ISO 45001:2018 (OHSMS)

• Requirement: Implement a risk-based occupational health & safety management system

• Scope: Applies to all organizations globally

• Key Obligations:

  • Hazard identification & risk assessment

  • Worker participation in safety decisions

  • Continuous improvement of OHS performance

ILO Conventions

• C155 (Occupational Safety & Health): National OHS policies

• C187 (Promotional Framework): Continuous OHS improvement

Regional Regulations

United States (OSHA)

• General Duty Clause (Sec. 5(a)(1)): Employers must provide hazard-free workplaces

• Key Standards:

  • 29 CFR 1910 (General Industry)

  • 29 CFR 1926 (Construction)

  • Recordkeeping (1904): 300/301 logs for injuries

European Union

• Framework Directive 89/391/EEC:

  • Risk prevention principles

  • Worker consultation requirements

• Machine Directive 2006/42/EC: Equipment safety standards

Middle East (GCC Countries)

• UAE OSHAD SF v4.0: Mandatory for all Abu Dhabi businesses

• Saudi OHS Law (Royal Decree M/83): Requires safety officers for high-risk industries

3. Industry-Specific Mandates

4. Compliance Roadmap

1. Identification

   • Maintain updated register of applicable laws

   • Subscribe to regulatory updates (e.g., OSHA/NEBOSH alerts)

2. Implementation

   • Documented safety policies & procedures

   • Training programs with attendance records

3. Verification

   • Internal audits (minimum annual)

   • Third-party certifications (ISO, ANSI, etc.)

4. Reporting

   • Incident notifications (within 8-24 hours for fatalities)

   • Annual safety performance reports

5. Emerging Legal Trends

• Climate Change Laws: Increasing OHS impacts (extreme heat protocols)

• Mental Health Regulations: Mandatory psychosocial risk assessments

• AI Governance: Safety standards for human-robot collaboration