This book is a leadership guide to the effective implementation of the ISO 45001:2018 standard. It takes the high-level leadership and top management principles put forward in ISO 45001 and develops them into a comprehensive discourse on how, at the very top of any organization, large or small, leaders can drive the occupational health and safety (OH&S) agenda and ensure the effective implementation of the OH&S management systems.

While the standard sets out expectations for top management, this book provides a clear explanation of the OH&S roles, responsibilities, and accountabilities between those who direct the organization and drive it towards achieving its strategic aims and those who lead the day-to-day operations. It puts forward a purposeful, easy-to-follow, and effective system for the implementation of ISO 45001 whilst also, and more importantly, maximizing the value proposition of such a global standard, regardless of industry.

The book is written for top management teams of both non-executive and executive leadership, as well as senior advisors, in all organizations seeking to effectively implement OH&S policies and management systems. It can also be utilized to create training and learning materials to assist with implementation.

Waddah S. Ghanem Al Hashmi is considered one of the global authorities on governance and leadership in EHS. He is the Hon. Chairman of the Energy Institute Middle East, Chairman of the UAE Occupational Health and Safety Standards Committee, and President of the Professional Engineering Chapter for the UAE Society of Engineers. His current occupation is a Senior Director at the Emirates National Oil Company, Dubai, UAE (ENOC), and his previous roles in the past 20 years included Senior Director for Sustainability, Operational, and Business Excellence and EHS Director for the ENOC Group. His publications include various research, practitioner journal, and conference papers in addition to seven internationally published books mainly in safety management, operational excellence, reflective learning, HSE practitioner executive development, governance and leadership, process safety management, and human factors as well as theology.

Bob Arnold has been a project manager for major projects mainly in the United Kingdom and has held the positions of Director and Executive Director for national companies. He is a chartered engineer, a chartered health and safety practitioner, and a chartered environmentalist. In 2010 he became the founder and Director of the Multiplex CDM consultancy and in 2014 SHEQ Director Canada, Europe, and the Middle East. He was formerly a visiting Fellow at the European Health and Safety Law Unit at the University of Salford. He is a Fellow of the Institution of Civil Engineers, ICE H&S Registered (Advanced), and a Member of the Institute of Directors, UK. His publications include various technical and conference papers and several internal training books including Health and Safety Leadership for Directors and Senior Managers.