Does ISO 9001 cover health and safety?

Does ISO 9001 Include Health and Safety?

It’s a question that we are asked often: “If my business is ISO 9001 certified, does that mean we’ve got health and safety covered?”

The short answer? Not quite; but it’s worth unpacking why that’s the case and where the overlap exists.

What ISO 9001 Is Really About

ISO 9001 is all about quality; specifically, helping businesses build systems that consistently deliver reliable products and services. It's designed to keep operations lean, customer-focused, and continuously improving.

ISO 9001’s Focus

ISO 9001 is the international standard for Quality Management Systems (QMS). Its core objective is to ensure consistent product and service delivery that meets customer and regulatory expectations. While it doesn't explicitly deal with occupational health and safety, certain clauses subtly support safer working conditions through the lens of quality.

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Key Clauses That Overlap with Health & Safety

Let’s look at two important clauses that indirectly contribute to workplace well-being:

·         Clause 7.1.3 – Infrastructure

This clause requires businesses to determine, provide, and maintain infrastructure necessary for process effectiveness and product conformity. That includes:

·        Buildings and workspace design

·        Equipment and technology

·        Transport and communication systems

 A well-maintained infrastructure contributes to a safe and efficient working environment, reducing physical hazards that could disrupt quality.

·        Clause 7.1.4 – Environment for the Operation of Processes

This clause addresses the conditions in which work is performed, covering both physical and psychological aspects:

·        Lighting, temperature, humidity, noise

·        Cleanliness and ergonomics

·        Employee well-being, morale, and mental focus

While framed around productivity, these requirements often promote safer, more supportive work environments.

What ISO 9001 Doesn’t Cover

ISO 9001 does not include specific health and safety controls like incident reporting, hazard identification, or emergency response planning. For that, organizations should look to ISO 45001, the dedicated standard for Occupational Health & Safety Management Systems (OHSMS).

Why Integration Matters

Many forward-thinking businesses choose to implement ISO 9001 and ISO 45001 together. Their shared high-level structure makes integration smooth, enabling companies to unify their approach to quality and safety.

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Conclusion

While ISO 9001 isn’t a substitute for a formal health and safety system, its emphasis on infrastructure, environment, and risk-based thinking provides a solid foundation that complements safety efforts. For full coverage, ISO 45001 is the essential standard; but don’t underestimate how ISO 9001 can support a safer, more resilient workplace.

Contact APIC management to discuss your ISO Certification needs.