Complete guide
ISO 45001 in Romania
The international standard for occupational health and safety. How it reduces accidents, exposure to labour inspectorate fines, and the cost of workplace incidents.
What ISO 45001 is and what it changes from OHSAS 18001
ISO 45001:2018 is the international standard for an occupational health and safety management system. It replaced OHSAS 18001 in March 2018 and is currently the most widely used health and safety standard in the world.
Compared with OHSAS 18001, ISO 45001 brings a fundamental shift of perspective: it is no longer a system for managing incidents — it is a system of proactive prevention. The standard requires risks to be identified before the accident happens, not afterwards.
Another new element: worker participation is no longer optional. ISO 45001 requires employees to be consulted and actively involved in identifying hazards and in taking health and safety decisions.
Why ISO 45001 matters in Romania
Romania has one of the highest rates of fatal workplace accidents in the EU. The highest-risk sectors are construction, agriculture, extractive industry and manufacturing. The cost of a serious workplace accident (including litigation, fines and lost productivity) frequently exceeds EUR 50,000.
Lower legal exposure
An ISO 45001 system demonstrates due diligence to the labour inspectorate, prosecutors and courts in the event of an accident.
Lower incident costs
Accidents cost: sick leave, replacement staff, damages, fines. Prevention is far cheaper.
Access to contracts
Large companies and multinationals increasingly require ISO 45001 from their subcontractors.
Public tenders
SEAP tender documents for works and services with safety risk increasingly include an ISO 45001 requirement.
Legislative compliance
ISO 45001 incorporates Law 319/2006 and the safety rules — you demonstrate compliance structurally, not ad hoc.
Integration with ISO 9001 and 14001
Implemented together with the other standards → a saving of 30-40% against separate implementation.
The main requirements of ISO 45001
Context of the organisation
Identifying health and safety hazards and risks, and understanding the requirements of workers and interested parties.
Leadership and worker participation
Management demonstrates its commitment to health and safety. Workers are consulted and take part in decisions.
Planning
Assessment of health and safety risks and opportunities, objectives with action plans and indicators.
Operational control
Procedures for activities with safety risk: work at height, hazardous substances, equipment, contractors.
Performance evaluation
Monitoring of safety indicators, internal audit, management review.
Improvement
Investigation of incidents, nonconformities and corrective actions. Documented continual improvement.
How long it takes and what it costs
Implementation time
4–7 months
Varies with the complexity of the safety risks and the maturity of the existing system. High-risk sectors (construction, industry) need longer.
Total cost over 3 years
EUR 7,500–13,000
Covers consultancy plus an accredited certification body. Lower if implemented together with ISO 9001 or 14001.
Frequently asked questions about ISO 45001
Does ISO 45001 replace Romanian health and safety legislation?
No. Law 319/2006 and Government Decision 1425/2006 remain mandatory. ISO 45001 is the system that demonstrates you comply with those laws in a structured and documented way.
Is OHSAS 18001 still valid?
No. OHSAS 18001 certificates expired in September 2021. Companies that held them had to transition to ISO 45001 or obtain a new certificate.
Can I combine ISO 45001 with ISO 9001 and 14001?
Yes — integrated implementation (IMS) is the most efficient approach. The documentation is unified, the audit is carried out at the same time, and the total cost is 30-40% lower than implementing them separately.
Which sectors need ISO 45001 most?
Construction, industry (manufacturing, extractive, chemical), agriculture, transport, healthcare and energy. Any sector where the risk of injury is significant, or where contracts demand it.
Related standards
Read more about ISO 45001
ISO 45001 certification for your company
We talk it through free of charge: the safety risks specific to your activity, what implementation involves, and what it costs.