What is ISO 39001

The ISO 39001 provides assurance that the Logistic Service Provider (LSP) has a good, established and operational Safety Assurance system in managing their fleet responsibly taking into account all facets of the Road Transport (RT) activity, some of which, includes fundamental reference, governance and controls in…

• Senior Management Commitment (Visibility)Route & Journey Management,

• Driver Management,

• Fleet Management

• Load Hazards Management

• Emergency Response & Crisis Management

• Training & Competency Assurance Management

• Vehicle & Equipment Integrity Management

• Vehicle Integrity & Maintenance Management

• 3rd Party Contract & Support Services Management

• Hazards & Risk Register and Incident Management

• Regulatory Compliance (Register) Management

• Customer/Client Feedback & Close-out Management

Why ISO 39001

The ISO 39001 is a demonstrable tool to help organisations to systematically reduce road & driving accident/incident exposure and can hence culminate to a more cost-effective and efficient RT operations.

The ISO 39001 document provides pointers for organizations wishing to use ISO 39001 to improve their road safety performance. The guide provides a brief introduction to what is involved in developing and implementing an ISO 39001 Road Traffic Safety Management System and encourages further probing, enquiry, evaluation and consideration.

The ISO 39001 aligns with the best practice Safe System approach to Road Safety and the latest ISO management system standard framework. Its best practice Road Safety focused content is not found in other management system standards on Occupational Health and Safety.

The ISO 39001 is fully aligned with other ISO management system standards, including ISO 9001 (Quality Management Systems) and ISO 14001 (Environmental Management Systems). While ISO 39001 provides direction on key safety issues and a strong focus on achieving better results for the interim and long-term, it does not prescribe specific safety measures. These are left for the organisation to determine through their Safety Management Processes.

ISO 39001 is also fully aligned with the Safe System approach to road safety, which is embedded in the UN Global Plan for Road Safety, and the UN Sustainable Development Goals. The ISO 39001 is designed to help organisations reduce, and ultimately eliminate, the incidence and risk of death and serious injury related to road traffic crashes.

The ISO 39001 is a member of ISO’s family of Management System Standards

ISO 39001 assists organisations in integrating road safety as a core objective into their management systems. As one of a family of ISO management system standards, it is based on the latest common management standard framework developed by ISO and a Plan, Do, Check & Act process.

The road safety management system can be integrated with the general management system of an organization and with several parallel disciplines of management system standards, e.g. ISO 9001, and ISO 14001. Organisations that already hold certification to these will find it easier to establish a road traffic safety specific component to their existing management system, as well as offer added benefit from the unique elements provided by ISO 39001 that are not covered by any other ISO

Who should acquire ISO 39001

The ISO 39001 is the International Standard for Best Practice in Road Traffic Safety Management System, for any organization, particularly those that manages Road Transport (RT) operations OR those that provides RT Services to clients.

Most demanding clients/customers will generally insist on their Logistic Service Providers (LSP) to acquire the ISO 39001, at bidding stage, as it assures a demonstrable assurance that the LSP has a robust and fundamental system in managing their fleet safely, responsibly with controls and commitment that is expected of a Professional Transporter.

Who should acquire ISO 39001

Organisations that implement road safety management systems will generally be well placed to:

• Contribute to national and global efforts to prevent death and serious injury in road crashes.

• Demonstrate organisational commitment to an issue of significant public concern.

• Address one of the organisation’s primary occupational safety risks.

• Reduce organizational road crash and incident costs, and working days lost to injury.

• Make the best use of available resources to target safety risks on the road.

• Promote the organisation, improve its profile and increase business.

• Increase competitive advantage in tendering processes.

• Reduce insurance premiums and repair bills.

The benefits of ISO 39001

Organisations that implement road safety management systems will generally be well placed to:

• Contribute to national and global efforts to prevent death and serious injury in road crashes.

• Demonstrate organisational commitment to an issue of significant public concern.

• Address one of the organisation’s primary occupational safety risks.

• Reduce organizational road crash and incident costs, and working days lost to injury.

• Make the best use of available resources to target safety risks on the road.

• Promote the organisation, improve its profile and increase business.

• Increase competitive advantage in tendering processes.

• Reduce insurance premiums and repair bills.

When to apply for ISO 39001

As the Transport Industries gets more and more competitive with regards to RT safety & efficiency, the ability of LSP to be able to show demonstrable capability through ISO 39001 Certification would certainly get favorable ranking in any contractual evaluation.

The path to preparing an organization for ISO 39001 is not easy, but with the right management commitment, preparation, training and guidance, it is very achievable.

It would generally take organization anything from 9 – 18 months to be ready for ISO39001 Audit for Certification.