Expert ISO 45001 certification support for Kent SMEs. We help you build a proactive health and safety management system that protects your people and satisfies your clients.
ISO 45001 replaces the old OHSAS 18001 standard and provides a framework for managing workplace health and safety risks. It requires a proactive approach — identifying hazards before incidents occur rather than simply reacting to them.
For Kent SMEs, ISO 45001 certification demonstrates to clients, insurers, and regulators that your business takes worker safety seriously. It's increasingly required in construction, manufacturing, and any industry with significant health and safety risks.
ISO 45001 replaced OHSAS 18001 in 2018 and introduced a more proactive approach to managing OH&S risks, with greater emphasis on leadership, worker participation, and organisational context. If you hold OHSAS 18001 certification, it is no longer valid — you'll need to transition to ISO 45001.
A health and safety policy is a legal requirement, but it's not the same as ISO 45001 certification. ISO 45001 requires a fully documented and audited management system, including hazard identification, risk assessment, objectives, monitoring, and management review. Certification demonstrates to clients that your H&S management meets an internationally recognised standard.
SSIP accreditation (CHAS, SafeContractor, etc.) assesses your health and safety competence against a set of core criteria. ISO 45001 certification is a more comprehensive, independently audited management system. Having ISO 45001 can support your SSIP application, but they are separate processes. ISOHS can help with both.
Most SMEs achieve certification within 6–12 months. The timeline depends on the size and complexity of your operations and the maturity of your existing safety management. We'll give you an honest programme at our first meeting.
Yes — all three standards share the same Annex SL high-level structure and can be integrated into a single management system. An integrated system is simpler to maintain and reduces duplication of policies, audits, and reviews. ISOHS specialises in integrated systems for Kent SMEs.
Based in Kent, we support SMEs across the county — from Sittingbourne and Canterbury to Maidstone, Medway, Ashford, Tonbridge, Dartford, Folkestone, Tunbridge Wells and Sevenoaks. On-site where needed, remote where it's quicker.
Get in touch for a free consultation. We'll review your current H&S arrangements and explain what certification involves for your business.
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