ISO 39001 - Road traffic safety (RTS) management systems

 

What is ISO 39001?

ISO 39001 specifies requirements for a road traffic safety management system which enables an organisation to reduce death and serious injuries related to road traffic crashes. The requirements set out in this standard include development and implementation of an appropriate RTS policy. development of RTS objectives and action plans.

Once certified, organisations can proudly promote themselves as certificate holders in any of their promotional materials and can include the URS certification logo free of charge.

 

Who requires an ISO 39001 certification?

Any organisation that has an involvement with the road traffic system, and is looking to implement or improve a Road Traffic Safety Management System, should consider becoming certified for ISO 39001. Applicable sectors include:

 

• Taxi services


• Schools


• Road construction services

Becoming certified for ISO 39001 can bring a wide range of benefits to your organisation, including:

Becoming certified for ISO 39001 can bring a wide range of benefits to your organisation, including:

 

• Prevention of avoidable injuries


• Demonstrating your commitment to safety and social responsibility


• Improved planning and design of road traffic systems

How can you prepare for an ISO 39001 Certification?

Although the thought of starting the certification process may seem daunting, there are a variety of steps you can take to make the process to becoming certified far more streamlined:

 

• Familiarise yourself with the ISO 39001 standard


• Carry out a Road Traffic Safety assessment to highlight areas where your current practices do not meet the standard


• Provide training to staff members to increase awareness of the ISO 39001 standard

What are the key requirements ISO 39001?

When working towards becoming certified for ISO 39001, there are various areas that will be a focus during the audit. These areas include:

 

• Identifying Road safety risks


• Implementation of procedures


• Competency


• Commitment to policies

What clauses make up the structure of ISO 39001?

 

Clauses 1-3 – Introductory clauses:

The first three clauses of ISO 39001 introduce the overall scope of the standard and outline the various sectors that it can be applied to. Alongside this guidance, clause 3 also provides an expansive list of definitions for various terms that feature throughout the document. A thorough understanding of these terms will allow organisations to better approach the requirements in this standard.

 

Clause 4 – Context of the organisation:

Clause 4 requires organisations to understand their role within the Road Traffic System, and demonstrate their awareness. This involves identifying internal and external factors that effect road safety, and considering how the needs of employees and customers can be met.

Climate Change Amendments:

The amendments have not changed the requirements of clause 4.1 and 4.2, rather they have added an assurance that climate change is considered for the management system. Due to the necessity of climate awareness, it should be considered by organisations and is therefore included as part of the standard.

Rather than a transition being required, organisations should instead consider and apply the guidance provided in the amendment. Should a company minute their considerations during their Management Review regarding CCC as well as evidence of their considerations and any actions, a discrepancy shall NOT be raised. However, should no minute exist for any considerations, then a discrepancy will be raised.

Where a minute and evidence does exist but is clearly of little relevance to CCC an Opportunity for Improvement (OFI) will be raised.

 

Clause 5 – Leadership:

Clause 5 focuses on the responsibilities that accompany leadership and top management in establishing and maintaining the Road Traffic Safety Management System. This section also requires top management to demonstrate their commitment through the creation of policies and objectives and by assigning and communicating responsibilities.

 

Clause 6 – Planning:

Clause 6 approaches methods of identifying any risks and opportunities related to road traffic safety and introduces the practice of setting objectives to address them. These methods include identifying RTS performance factors and establishing measurable objectives.

 

Clause 7 – Support:

Clause 7 outlines each of the resources required to effectively implement and maintain the Road Traffic Safety Management System. Resources covered in this section include competency, awareness and documentation.

 

Clause 8 – Operation:

Clause 8 provides requirements for the implementation and control of the operational processes related to the RTS management system. Such as addressing risks and establishing procedures for emergency preparedness.

 

Clause 9 – Performance evaluation:

Clause 9 focuses on methods of evaluating the overall performance of the Road Traffic Safety Management System, and highlighting areas for improvement. This section is where internal audit and management review procedures are introduced.

 

Clause 10 – Improvement:

Building on from the previous section, clause 10 highlights the importance of establishing improvement process in your organisation. The most common method of this is raising nonconformities and implementing corrective actions to resolve them. This two factor process can be found in most standards, and is a time proven way of establishing fact improvements in any organisation.

 

How long will your ISO 39001 certificate be valid for?

Your ISO 39001 certificate will be valid for at least three years; dependent on the type of site that is being certified.

 

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