OHSAS 18001 Certification in Dubai: Migrating to ISO 45001

If you are searching for OHSAS 18001 certification in Dubai, there is an important fact to know first: OHSAS 18001 has been withdrawn and replaced by ISO 45001:2018. New OHSAS 18001 certificates are no longer issued, and existing ones are no longer recognised. The good news is that the work you did for OHSAS 18001 gives you a strong head start. BRSM Global helps UAE organisations that still reference OHSAS 18001 in contracts, procedures or old certificates move to ISO 45001:2018 quickly and with minimum disruption.

What is OHSAS 18001 Certification?

OHSAS 18001 (Occupational Health and Safety Assessment Series) was a British Standards-led specification, first published in 1999 and revised in 2007, that set requirements for an occupational health and safety (OH&S) management system. It was never an ISO standard. It was developed by a group of national standards and certification bodies because no international standard existed at the time, and it became the world's most widely used OH&S certification.

ISO then developed ISO 45001, published in March 2018, as the first international OH&S management system standard. OHSAS 18001:2007 was withdrawn, and certified organisations were given a three-year migration period that ended in March 2021. Because of COVID-19, the International Accreditation Forum extended the deadline for accredited certificates by six months, to 30 September 2021. After that date, OHSAS 18001 certificates stopped being valid for accredited certification purposes. Any company still holding or quoting an OHSAS 18001 certificate today should migrate to ISO 45001:2018.

Benefits of OHSAS 18001 Certification for UAE Businesses

Keep your certification credible

Tenders, client audits and vendor portals in the UAE now expect ISO 45001. An OHSAS 18001 certificate will not satisfy that requirement.

Build on what you already have

Hazard registers, risk assessments, procedures and training records created for OHSAS 18001 remain useful. Migration is about closing gaps, not starting again.

Stronger leadership and worker involvement

ISO 45001 places safety responsibility on top management and requires consultation and participation of workers, which raises real safety culture.

Better integration with ISO 9001 and ISO 14001

ISO 45001 uses the same high-level structure, so one integrated management system becomes straightforward.

Fewer incidents and lower cost of incidents

A mature system reduces injuries, downtime, insurance claims and regulatory problems.

OHSAS 18001 Requirements

OHSAS 18001 and ISO 45001 are similar in aim but differ significantly in structure and depth. If you are moving from OHSAS 18001, expect to address these key differences:

Context of the organisation (new): understanding internal and external issues and the needs of workers and other interested parties.
Leadership and worker participation (strengthened): top management is accountable for the system, and non-managerial workers must be consulted and involved.
Risks and opportunities (new): OH&S risks and opportunities, not only hazards, must be assessed and addressed.
Hierarchy of controls: elimination and substitution must be considered before administrative measures and personal protective equipment.
Management of change and outsourcing: contractors, procurement and outsourced processes are explicitly controlled.
Performance evaluation and improvement: a stronger emphasis on monitoring, evaluation of compliance and continual improvement of OH&S performance.
Terminology and structure: the high-level structure (clauses 4 to 10) replaces the OHSAS 18001 clause layout.

OHSAS 18001 Certification Process: How BRSM Global Gets You Certified

Our approach follows the four-stage process that BRSM Global applies to every management system project: guidance, implementation, auditing and post-certification. For OHSAS 18001 Certification, that translates into the following eight practical steps.

Step 1: Free consultation and scope definition

We start with a conversation about your business, sites, activities and customers. We confirm whether OHSAS 18001 fits your goals, define the scope of certification and agree a realistic timeline.

Step 2: Gap analysis

Our consultants compare your current practices, documents and records with the requirements of OHSAS 18001. You receive a clear gap report with priorities, so effort goes where it matters.

Step 3: Planning and fixed quote

Based on the gap analysis we prepare a project plan with responsibilities and milestones and a fixed written quote, so you know the investment before work begins.

Step 4: Documentation and implementation

We help you develop the policies, procedures, registers and records the standard requires, in plain language and sized to your organisation, and we help your team put them into daily practice. This is the 'Guidance' and 'Implementation' stage of our process.

Step 5: Training and awareness

Management and staff are trained on their responsibilities under OHSAS 18001. Where relevant we also train internal auditors, who will later audit your system.

Step 6: Internal audit and management review

Once the system has been operating, we help you run an internal audit and a management review. These are mandatory and give you the chance to fix issues before the external audit.

Step 7: Independent certification audit (Stage 1 and Stage 2)

The certification audit is carried out by an independent certification body, never by your consultant. Stage 1 reviews documentation and readiness. Stage 2 verifies implementation on site through interviews, observation and records. We prepare your team and support you during the audit; this is the 'Auditing' stage of our process.

Step 8: Certificate issue and post-certification support

After any nonconformities are closed, the certificate is issued, normally for three years with annual surveillance audits. We stay with you after certification, advising on changes, standard updates and surveillance audit preparation, which is our 'Post-certification' stage. Our article on leading ISO transitions with people at the centre explains why this support matters.

Documents Required for OHSAS 18001

A gap analysis against ISO 45001:2018 will usually find that the following documents need to be created or updated when migrating from an OHSAS 18001 system:

Scope of the OH&S management system and updated OH&S policy
Context analysis and interested-parties register (including workers)
OH&S risk and opportunity register aligned to the hierarchy of controls
Legal and other requirements register
OH&S objectives and action plans
Procedures for worker consultation and participation
Contractor and procurement control procedures
Emergency preparedness and incident investigation records
Competence, training and induction records
Internal audit and management review records covering ISO 45001 requirements

How Long Does OHSAS 18001 Certification Take?

Because most of the system already exists, migration from OHSAS 18001 to ISO 45001 typically takes about 4 to 10 weeks, depending on how well the original system was maintained and how large the organisation is. If your OHSAS certificate has already lapsed, treat the project as a new ISO 45001 certification, which usually takes 8 to 14 weeks for small and medium companies. Certification includes a two-stage audit, then a three-year certificate cycle with annual surveillance audits. See our dedicated page on ISO 45001:2018 certification for the complete process.

Who Needs OHSAS 18001 Certification?

This certification is relevant to a wide range of organisations, including:

Companies still holding old OHSAS 18001 certificates or quoting OHSAS 18001 in procedures and tender documents
Contractors and subcontractors on construction, oil and gas and industrial sites in the UAE
Manufacturers, warehouses and logistics operators with higher-risk activities
Organisations asked by clients to provide ISO 45001 evidence

OHSAS 18001 in Dubai and the UAE

Occupational safety is closely monitored in Dubai, with municipal and sector regulators, strict site controls and demanding client requirements on construction, energy and industrial projects. Main contractors routinely request current ISO 45001 evidence from subcontractors. Our Business Bay team can review your existing OHSAS 18001 documentation, run a gap analysis and rebuild only what ISO 45001 needs, so you can move forward without paying to start again.

Why Choose BRSM Global in Dubai & UAE?

Choosing the right partner is as important as choosing the right standard. BRSM Global is an international inspection, training and certification group with a one-stop approach to ISO and related certifications, and our Dubai team is close to your business.

Local presence in Dubai and the UAE

Our UAE office is at Executive Towers, Tower 1, Office 1102, Business Bay, Dubai. We meet you on site, understand local practice and respond quickly. We also have offices in Riyadh (Al Olaya, Al Faisaliah Tower) and Muscat (Al Khuwair), which helps if your organisation operates across the Gulf.

Proven experience

BRSM Global has completed more than 5,000 projects for over 2,500 clients in more than 10 countries, working with 20+ associations. Our consultants combine hands-on industry experience with deep knowledge of the standards.

Practical systems, not paperwork

We design systems that fit your size and your sector, so your team actually uses them. Our experience across the Construction sector and our other industry sectors means we speak your language from the first meeting.

Complete one-stop service

From gap analysis and documentation to training, internal audit, certification audit support and ongoing advice, one team supports you at every stage. You can read more about our company on the About Us page or browse practical insights on our blog.

Transparent and independent

We give you a fixed written quote after the gap analysis, explain what is included, and keep consultancy separate from the independent certification audit so that your certificate retains its credibility. Before you commit to any certification body, we recommend you verify its accreditation status for your scope.

Frequently Asked Questions About OHSAS 18001

Is OHSAS 18001 still valid?

No. OHSAS 18001:2007 was withdrawn when ISO 45001:2018 was published. The migration period ended on 30 September 2021 after a COVID-19 extension, and OHSAS 18001 certificates are no longer valid for accredited certification.

What replaced OHSAS 18001?

ISO 45001:2018, Occupational health and safety management systems - Requirements with guidance for use, published in March 2018.

Can I still get an OHSAS 18001 certificate in Dubai?

Accredited certification bodies no longer issue OHSAS 18001 certificates. If a provider offers one, treat it as a warning sign and ask about accreditation.

What is the difference between OHSAS 18001 and ISO 45001?

ISO 45001 adds context of the organisation, stronger leadership accountability, worker participation, risk and opportunity thinking, and a high-level structure. OHSAS 18001 focused mainly on hazard control and procedures.

How do I migrate from OHSAS 18001 to ISO 45001?

Run a gap analysis, update documents and processes, train your team, run an internal audit and management review, then complete the certification audit. We guide each step.

My OHSAS 18001 certificate has expired. What should I do?

Start a new ISO 45001:2018 certification project. Your previous documents and records will shorten the work.

Related Services

Many organisations combine standards in one integrated management system. You may also be interested in:

Get Your OHSAS 18001 Certification with BRSM Global

Ready to start your OHSAS 18001 Certification journey in Dubai or anywhere in the UAE? Tell us about your business and we will respond with a gap analysis plan and a fixed quote.