ISO 45001:2018 Occupational Health & Safety Management System (OHSMS) Lead Auditor Training
Course Overview
The ISO 45001:2018 Occupational Health & Safety Management System (OHSMS) Lead Auditor Training is an advanced professional course designed to equip participants with the knowledge, skills, and competencies required to conduct and lead audits of Occupational Health & Safety Management Systems against the ISO 45001:2018 standard.
This training enables participants to understand the principles of effective auditing, interpret ISO 45001:2018 requirements, and apply internationally recognized auditing techniques in accordance with ISO 19011 (Guidelines for auditing management systems) and ISO/IEC 17021 requirements.
Upon successful completion, participants will be able to plan, conduct, report, and follow up on OHSMS audits as a Lead Auditor in various organizational settings.
Course Objectives
By the end of this course, participants will be able to:
- Understand the structure, scope, and intent of ISO 45001:2018
- Interpret key clauses and requirements of an Occupational Health & Safety Management System
- Apply audit principles, procedures, and techniques in accordance with ISO 19011
- Plan and manage an end-to-end audit program
- Conduct opening and closing meetings effectively
- Lead audit teams and manage audit processes
- Identify nonconformities and evaluate evidence objectively
- Prepare audit reports and ensure proper follow-up actions
- Assess organizational compliance with legal and regulatory OH&S requirements
- Support continual improvement of occupational health and safety performance
Target Audience
This course is designed for:
- Health & Safety professionals
- Internal and external auditors
- Compliance officers
- Quality managers and consultants
- Operations and facility managers
- Safety supervisors and engineers
- Individuals aspiring to become certified Lead Auditors in ISO 45001:2018
Prerequisites
- Basic understanding of Occupational Health & Safety principles is recommended
- Familiarity with management systems (ISO 9001, ISO 14001, or similar) is beneficial but not mandatory
Course Content / Modules
Module 1: Introduction to Occupational Health & Safety Management Systems
- Overview of OH&S concepts and principles
- Importance of workplace safety management
- Introduction to ISO 45001:2018 framework
Module 2: ISO 45001:2018 Standard Requirements
- Context of the organization
- Leadership and worker participation
- Planning and risk-based thinking
- Support and operational controls
- Performance evaluation and improvement
Module 3: Hazard Identification and Risk Assessment
- Hazard identification techniques
- Risk assessment methodologies
- Control measures and hierarchy of controls
Module 4: Audit Fundamentals
- Definition and purpose of auditing
- Types of audits (first, second, third party)
- Roles and responsibilities of auditors and lead auditors
Module 5: Audit Process (ISO 19011 Guidelines)
- Audit planning and preparation
- Audit checklist development
- Conducting opening meetings
- Evidence collection techniques (interviews, observation, documentation review)
- Sampling techniques
Module 6: Conducting the Audit
- On-site audit execution
- Communication skills for auditors
- Managing audit teams
- Identifying and recording nonconformities
Module 7: Audit Reporting
- Structuring audit reports
- Classification of findings
- Writing clear and objective nonconformities
- Closing meeting procedures
Module 8: Corrective Actions and Follow-Up
- Root cause analysis
- Corrective action planning
- Verification of corrective actions
- Continual improvement process
Module 9: Lead Auditor Competencies
- Leadership in audit teams
- Conflict management during audits
- Ethical behavior and auditor integrity
Module 10: Certification Exam Preparation
- Sample questions and case studies
- Exam strategies
- Final review of key concepts
Training Methodology
- Instructor-led interactive sessions
- Case studies and real-life examples
- Group discussions and role-playing exercises
- Practical audit simulations
- Mock audit exercises
Duration
Typically 5 days (35–40 hours) depending on certification body requirements.
Assessment & Certification
Participants are evaluated through:
- Written examination
- Practical audit exercises
- Participation in group activities
Upon successful completion, participants receive a Lead Auditor Certificate in ISO 45001:2018 Occupational Health & Safety Management System, which may be internationally recognized depending on the certification body.
Learning Outcomes
Participants will gain the ability to:
- Lead and manage OH&S audits confidently
- Ensure compliance with ISO 45001:2018 requirements
- Improve workplace health and safety performance
- Support organizations in achieving ISO certification or maintaining compliance
- Contribute to safer and more sustainable workplaces
