ISO 45001 Occupational Health and Safety Audit Checklist

ISO 45001 Occupational Health and Safety Audit Checklist

This checklist is designed to assist organizations in evaluating their compliance with ISO 45001:2018 standards. Use this document to conduct internal audits, identify non-conformities, and verify that your occupational health and safety management system (OHSMS) is effectively implemented.

Audit Details

• Auditor Name: [Auditor Name]
• Audit Date: [Date]
• Department/Area: [Department Name]
• Audit Reference Number: [Reference Number]

1. Context of the Organization

• Have internal and external issues relevant to the OHSMS been identified?
• Are the needs and expectations of workers and other interested parties documented?
• Is the scope of the OHSMS clearly defined and available as documented information?

2. Leadership and Worker Participation

• Does top management demonstrate leadership and commitment regarding the OHSMS?
• Is there an established OHS policy that is appropriate to the purpose and context of the organization?
• Are roles, responsibilities, and authorities for relevant OHSMS roles assigned and communicated?
• Is there a process in place for the consultation and participation of workers at all levels?

3. Planning

• Have hazards been identified and are they updated on a regular basis?
• Is there a process to assess OHS risks and opportunities?
• Are legal requirements and other requirements identified and accessible?
• Have OHS objectives been established at relevant functions and levels?

4. Support

• Has the organization determined and provided the resources needed for the OHSMS?
• Is there evidence that personnel are competent on the basis of appropriate education, training, or experience?
• Is OHS awareness training provided to all workers?
• Is communication (internal/external) regarding the OHSMS effective and documented?

5. Operation

• Are operational controls established to manage identified risks?
• Is there a process for the management of change (MOC) to mitigate new risks?
• Are emergency preparedness and response plans established, maintained, and tested?

6. Performance Evaluation and Improvement

• Are monitoring, measurement, analysis, and evaluation processes in place?
• Is there a schedule for internal audits to provide information on whether the OHSMS conforms to requirements?
• Does management review the OHSMS at planned intervals to ensure its continuing suitability?
• Is there a process for reporting, investigating, and taking action on incidents and non-conformities?

Pro Tips

• Evidence-Based: Always request objective evidence (records, logs, certificates) rather than relying solely on verbal confirmation.
• Continuous Improvement: Use audit findings to drive corrective actions rather than just checking boxes for compliance.
• Worker Engagement: Interview workers during the audit to verify that safety policies are understood and practiced on the floor.

FAQ

How often should this audit be conducted?

ISO 45001 requires that internal audits are conducted at planned intervals to ensure the management system conforms to the organization's own requirements and the standard itself. Most organizations perform these audits annually.

What happens if a non-conformity is found?

If a non-conformity is identified, you must document the nature of the issue, take action to control and correct it, and address the consequences. You should also evaluate the need for action to eliminate the root cause.

Who should perform the audit?

The audit should be conducted by individuals who are competent and objective. They should be independent of the specific activity being audited whenever possible to ensure impartiality.