Standards🇦🇺🇳🇿 Australia + New ZealandUpdated 2026-05-11
What does ISO 45001 clause 7.4 (Communication) require?
Short answer
Clause 7.4 requires the organisation to determine internal and external communications relevant to the OH&S management system — including what is communicated, when, with whom, and how. The output is effectively a Communication Plan or matrix.
ISO 45001:2018 clause 7.4 has three sub-clauses:
- 7.4.1 General — determine the internal and external communications relevant to the OH&S management system, including: *what* will be communicated, *when*, *with whom* (internal/external), *how*, and how to receive, maintain and respond to communications.
- 7.4.2 Internal communication — communicate internally, including changes to the OH&S MS, ensure communication enables workers to contribute to continual improvement.
- 7.4.3 External communication — communicate externally as established by communication processes and as required by legal and other requirements.
The practical output is a Communication Plan (or communication matrix) that answers, for each topic:
| What | When | With whom | How | Owner | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Safety performance | Monthly | All workers | Toolbox / dashboard | HSE Manager | ||
| Material incident | Within 24 h | Workers, board, regulator | Email + meeting | CEO | ||
| Policy update | On change | All workers + posted | Email + intranet | HR / HSE |
The Communication Plan is also assessed during internal audits (clause 9.2) and reviewed at management review (clause 9.3).
RAE IQ's Communication Plan Builder (feature #33) produces exactly this matrix, plus auto fan-out of communication events on domain triggers (a new incident, a CAPA opened, a policy published).
Key terms
ISO 45001clause 7.4communicationcommunication plancommunication matrixinternal communicationexternal communication