Auditing OHSAS 18001

Implementing OHSAS 18001 is one way of ensuring the high-standard health and safety management which is critical to an organisation’s overall quality performance. Internal auditing is fundamental to any quality improvement initiative and OHSAS 18001 requires that an organisation conduct regular internal Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) audits to determine the effectiveness of its health and safety management. However, if the auditing process is to deliver, the auditors carrying out these internal audits must be competent. Otherwise, the internal audits carried may be little more than safety inspections with hardly any business benefit. This course focuses on building auditing skills for OHSAS 18001 to identify real, ‘value added’ system improvements rather than just basic compliance. This course first develops an understanding of the purpose and structure of OHSAS 18001 and then nurtures the skills necessary to be an effective internal OHS auditor.

Course objectives

The training is designed to meet IRCA criteria for this course. On completing this course the participant will:

– Understand the purpose, structure and different elements of the OHSAS 18001 Occupational Health and Safety standard,

– Have a knowledge of how to implement an OHSAS 18001-based system,

– Understand the importance of internal auditing for improvement of OHS management systems,

– Have a knowledge of managing audit programmes,

– Understand the competencies and responsibilities of internal auditors,

– Be able to plan and develop an internal audit based on appropriate audit criteria,

– Be able to conduct an effective internal audit by proper gathering of evidence and interview,

– Collect and objectively analyse the evidence and produce an internal audit report.

Course programme

– Introduction to Occupational Health and Safety Management Systems,

– The purpose, structure and elements of OHSAS 18001,

– Implementation of OHSAS 18001 and use of OHSAS 18002,

– Introduction to 19011 auditing standard,

– Establishing and managing an audit programme.

– Pre-audit activities : Objectives, scope, planning and preparation of work documents,

– Conducting audits–communications,managing audit teams, document review, physical observation, questioning skills and good interview technique,

– Analysis of evidence, findings, conclusions and preparation of audit report,

– Completion of audits and audit follow-up,

– Competencies, responsibilities and CPD of auditors,

Case studies and interactive individual and group training exercises are used throughout the course to reinforce delegates’ learning.

Who should attend

Personnel responsible for conducting internal audits, managing audit programmes and developing and implementing Occupational Health and Safety systems. The course will be of interest to Departmental managers and line management, Health and Safety Managers, Health and Safety Co-Coordinators and supervisory staff or anyone who wishes to gain an understanding of the requirements of an OHS management system.

In-House courses

All our courses are available in-house. We can run in-house courses either at your premises or at a location of your choosing. We also customise our courses according your organisation’s requirements.