Sunchang County Earns International Standard Certification for Occupational Health and Safety Management System

Audit Includes Manuals, Procedures, and Guidelines

Sunchang County in North Jeolla Province has obtained the international standard certification for Occupational Health and Safety Management Systems (ISO 45001) from the Korea Management Registrar (KMR).

A view of Sunchang County Office. Provided by Sunchang County

According to the county on November 19, this certification is the result of Sunchang County's efforts to establish a systematic and proactive occupational health and safety management system across the entire organization.

In September, the Korea Management Registrar formed a panel of three auditors to evaluate Sunchang County's occupational health and safety management system.

The certification audit included a comprehensive review of various items, such as: standard documents like the occupational health and safety management system manual, procedures, and guidelines; management policies, objectives, and performance management; management review and internal audits; the effectiveness of measures addressing risks and opportunities; follow-up actions after communication and feedback; and the ongoing suitability and effectiveness of the system.

The purpose of this certification audit was to assess the actual implementation of the occupational health and safety management system in terms of planning, documentation, and record-keeping, and to evaluate its suitability and effectiveness as a management system that meets international standards. In addition, the audit comprehensively reviewed whether legal and regulatory requirements, as well as customer requirements, were being met.

As a result of the audit, the county received high marks for faithfully reflecting organizational policies and objectives in its occupational health and safety management system, as well as for its outstanding efforts to improve risk management and establish a safety culture. Based on this evaluation, Sunchang County was awarded the ISO 45001 certification.

Choi Youngil, Governor of Sunchang County, stated, "This ISO 45001 certification is the result of Sunchang County's continuous efforts to make safety a core value of our organizational culture," adding, "We will continue to actively operate and improve our occupational health and safety management system to create a work environment where both residents and employees can feel safe."

Meanwhile, the county plans to use this certification as an opportunity to further strengthen its occupational health and safety management system across all departments and enhance its overall safety management capabilities, thereby spreading a culture of safety throughout the local community.