ISO 45001 Occupational Health & Safety Lead Auditor Training

Why This Course

Occupational health and safety has become a strategic priority for organizations operating in high-risk, regulated, and people-intensive environments. ISO 45001:2018 provides a robust framework for managing OHS risks, improving performance, and protecting workers—but its effectiveness depends heavily on the quality of auditing.

The ISO 45001:2018 OHSMS Lead Auditor Excellence Program is an intensive five-day course designed to equip professionals with the competence required to plan, conduct, lead, and report on Occupational Health and Safety Management System audits. The program goes beyond standard interpretation, focusing on risk-based thinking, audit leadership, and real-world audit application.

By combining ISO requirements, auditing best practices, and hands-on audit simulations, this course prepares participants to perform effective audits that add real value to organizational OHS performance.

What You’ll Learn and Practice

By the end of this program, participants will be able to:

• Interpret and apply ISO 45001:2018 requirements in an audit context
• Plan, conduct, and report on OHSMS audits in line with ISO 19011
• Apply risk-based thinking when auditing OHS processes and controls
• Collect and evaluate audit evidence effectively
• Identify, document, and report clear nonconformities
• Lead audit teams and manage the full audit lifecycle
• Contribute to continual improvement of OHS management systems

The Program Flow (5-Day Structure)

Day 1 – Introduction to OHSMS & ISO 45001

• Overview of ISO 45001:2018 structure, intent, and requirements
• Principles of OHS management and risk-based thinking
• Context of the organization and interested parties
• Leadership, worker participation, and OHS policy
• Planning requirements for an effective OHSMS

Day 2 – Auditing Fundamentals & Techniques

• Audit principles, types, and auditor competencies
• Roles and responsibilities within the audit team
• Audit planning, scope definition, and audit programs
• Document review and audit checklist development

Day 3 – Conducting the OHSMS Audit

• Opening meeting objectives and communication techniques
• Audit evidence collection: observation, interviews, and records
• Interviewing skills and effective questioning techniques
• Identifying, classifying, and documenting audit findings

Day 4 – Audit Reporting & Follow-Up

• Evaluating audit evidence against ISO 45001 requirements
• Writing clear, objective, and value-added nonconformity statements
• Preparing professional audit reports
• Conducting effective closing meetings
• Corrective action follow-up and verification

Day 5 – Leading Audit Teams & Continuous Improvement

• Managing and leading audit teams effectively
• Handling difficult situations, conflicts, and resistance
• Using audit results to drive continual improvement
• Auditor professionalism and ethical considerations
• Final examination and course wrap-up

Individual Impact

Participants will leave the program with:

• The competence and confidence to conduct ISO 45001 audits
• Practical experience in audit planning, execution, and reporting
• Strong skills in identifying risks and improvement opportunities
• Enhanced leadership and communication capabilities as lead auditors
• Improved career prospects in OHS management and auditing

Organizational Impact

Organizations will benefit through:

• More effective and consistent OHSMS audits
• Improved identification and control of health and safety risks
• Stronger compliance with ISO 45001 requirements
• Better use of audits as a tool for continual improvement
• Enhanced OHS performance and workforce protection

Training Methodology

The program follows a structured, auditor-focused learning approach, including:

• ISO 45001 clause-by-clause interpretation
• Practical audit case studies and scenarios
• Role-play exercises for audit interviews and meetings
• Nonconformity writing and reporting workshops
• Knowledge checks and final competency assessment

Beyond the Course

After completing the program, participants will be ready to:

• Conduct internal, supplier, and certification audits against ISO 45001
• Lead OHSMS audit teams professionally and confidently
• Support organizations in improving OHS performance and compliance
• Contribute to safer, healthier, and more resilient workplaces