I'm working on this as part of our traansition from OHSAS 18001 to 45001. I'm considering a SWOT analysis as the basis for completing this, but am really struggling with it. I work for an asbestos consultancy so there are going to be many different factors at play here, but cannot seem to put anything into words.

Can anyone offer any wisdom please?

PESTLE Analysis works better for 45001.

I concur that PESTLE analysis is the favoured method under the Annex SL standards such as 9001, 14001 and now 45001.  Remember, you are not trying to change the world, these are the things that affect your ability to achieve the outcome of your OHS system - not everything in the organisation.

For example, under Polical you might put "Brexit" because the laws, regulations, courts and judicial system may change when we leave the EU.

On the same theme, Economic could also include Brexit because where do you get your replacement materials for the asbestos being stripped out? Does it come from Europe, is it going to take longer to get?  Does this impact your OHS system?  Yes, because it leaves potentially dangerous asbestos in situ for longer.

Social: Does leaving the asbestos in place longer cause a problem to your neighbours - well, yes it might.  If you guarantee to remove the asbestos within 48 hours and you can't because you cannot get replacement materials then this impacts.  If a neighbour is then exposed to asbestos dust because faulty materials were left longer than your guarantee - you could be liable.

Technology - what different materials are coming out that will make the replacement easier.  Not just materials but what access equipment, what PPE, vacuum extraction, etc.  All these things will impact your OHS either positively or negatively and remember that they are not just looking for negatives.  They want positives and impacts as well.  I used H,M,L traffic light system on mine for 14001 and it seemed to pass muster.

Hope this guides you somewhere close to where you're going ...