Hazard identification, risk assessment, legal compliance, OH&S objectives
Clause 6 is the analytical engine of ISO 45001 — Cl.6.1 actions to address risks and opportunities (including hazard identification per Cl.6.1.2, legal and other requirements per Cl.6.1.3, planning action per Cl.6.1.4), and Cl.6.2 OH&S objectives and planning to achieve them. The clause is where hazard analysis (HAZOP / LOPA / JSA), legal compliance, and target setting converge.
Planning quality determines management-system effectiveness. Organisations that conduct rigorous hazard identification, maintain live legal registers, and set quantitative OH&S objectives drive measurable performance improvement. Those that treat planning as documentation accumulate paper without operational outcomes.
Cl.6 converts the strategic context from Cl.4 and the leadership direction from Cl.5 into specific risk-management actions and measurable objectives. Outputs feed Cl.7 support (resources, competence), Cl.8 operation (operational planning and control), and Cl.9 performance evaluation (monitoring against objectives).
A focused 6-step methodology calibrated to deliver planning as a working capability — not a documented compliance artefact.
Per Cl.6.1.1, establish framework for identifying risks and opportunities to the OH&S MS — internal / external, organisational change, regulatory change, technology change.
Per Cl.6.1.2.1, identify hazards across routine / non-routine activities, normal / abnormal / emergency conditions, past / future activities, internal / external; integrate JSA / HAZOP / PHA.
Per Cl.6.1.2.2, assess OH&S risks using risk matrix appropriate to organisation; document acceptance criteria; integrate with PHA / LOPA where applicable; align with corporate risk framework.
Per Cl.6.1.3, build live register of legal and other requirements (Factory Act, OSHA, EU Directive, Industry consensus); specify update mechanism and applicability review.
Per Cl.6.1.4, plan actions to address risks via hierarchy of controls — elimination → substitution → engineering → administrative → PPE; align with MOC and operational control per Cl.8.
Per Cl.6.2, set SMART OH&S objectives at relevant functions / levels; integrate with API RP 754 PSE indicators, ISO 45001 KPIs, corporate ESG / TCFD / BRSR targets.
Decision-gated workflow showing the actual sequence of activities — from initiation through steady-state operation — with key decision points highlighted.
We can scope this element implementation against your facility, regulatory context, and existing management-system maturity — and integrate it with the other ISO 45001 — Occupational Health & Safety Management System elements you already operate.