The OHSAS 18001:1999 standard was revised in July 2010. The transition period is expected to last until July 1, 2009. An important change is that OHSAS 18001 now refers to itself as a standard, not a specification or document as in the earlier edition. This reflects the increasing adoption of OHSAS 18001 as the basis for national standards on occupational health and safety management systems.

On a high level, changes include:

• Numbering now aligns with ISO 14001:2004.
• The importance of "health" has been given greater emphasis.
• Scope excludes property damage, employee wellness programs, product safety and environmental impacts. 
• Policy includes a commitment to prevention of injury and ill health.
• Factors to “take into account” in conducting a hazard identification / risk assessment.
• Explicit requirement for “management of change.” 
• Clarification of the requirements related to communication, consultation and opportunity for participation in 4.4.3.
• Difference with ISO 14001 regarding “persons working for or on behalf” – instead the term is used is “persons working under the control of the organization” – as it related to training requirements.

Click here for a clause-by-clause overview of the changes in OHSAS 18001:2010, and comparisons to ISO 14001:2004.