COR audit

ISO 45001 Audits (or COR audit in CAN)

Streamline your COR processes with Safety Software

ISO 45001 - Health and Safety Excellence Certification

The ISO 45001 certification is granted to UK companies by accredited health and safety organizations, showcasing their commitment to surpassing the legal requirements outlined in the workers’ legislation. ISO 45001 continues to gain traction and significance throughout the UK. Although participation in the ISO 45001 program is presently voluntary, an increasing number of municipalities exclusively grant specific contracts to ISO 45001-certified companies. Moreover, companies affiliated with the ISO 45001 program attain a competitive advantage when vying for public and private contracts due to their demonstrated health and safety excellence.

The Importance of ISO 45001 for Companies

Achieving ISO 45001 brings a slew of advantages, including:

  • Enhanced eligibility for public and private contracts
  • Elevated employee morale and satisfaction stemming from a safer work environment
  • Perceived assurance of a safe work environment for clients, prospective employees, and investors
  • Reduced costs associated with workplace incidents, accidents, and injuries
  • Greater efficiency in health and safety management practices, resulting in time savings

Discover the benefits of EHS software for your ISO 45001 management. Reach out to us to explore how our software can support your safety protocols and enhance your workplace safety standards.

What is an ISO 45001 Audit?

An ISO 45001 audit involves assessing an organization's Occupational Health and Safety Management System (OHSMS) to ensure compliance with the ISO 45001 standard requirements. The audit aims to identify any gaps, non-conformities, and areas for improvement in the organization's safety practices. While the specific steps may vary depending on the audit scope and the certification body, here are the general stages involved in an ISO 45001 audit:

The organization prepares for the audit by gathering relevant documents, policies, procedures, and records related to the OHSMS. They may review the ISO 45001 standard requirements and conduct an internal audit to identify potential areas of non-compliance.
The auditor, either from the certification body or an external party, plans the audit process. This includes determining the audit scope, objectives, and criteria, as well as scheduling the audit with the organization.
The audit typically begins with an opening meeting between the auditors and the organization’s management. The purpose of this meeting is to discuss the audit objectives, scope, and timelines, as well as to address any initial questions or concerns.

The auditors examine the organization’s documentation, including policies, procedures, risk assessments, incident reports, training records, and other relevant records. They assess the documentation for compliance with ISO 45001 requirements and evaluate the effectiveness of the OHSMS.

The auditors conduct a physical inspection of the organization’s facilities, work areas, equipment, and practices. They observe the implementation of safety measures, hazard controls, emergency procedures, and employee engagement in safety programs. The auditors may also interview employees to gather further information.

The auditors identify any non-conformities or deviations from the ISO 45001 standard requirements. Non-conformities can be major (significant breach) or minor (limited breach). The auditors document these findings and provide objective evidence for each non-conformity.

The auditors prepare an audit report summarizing their findings. The report includes the identified non-conformities, observations, and suggestions for improvement. The organization receives a copy of the report to review and respond to the findings.

The organization develops and implements corrective actions to address the identified non-conformities and improve their OHSMS. They provide evidence of the actions taken to resolve the non-conformities within a specified timeframe.
In some cases, particularly for major non-conformities, a follow-up audit may be conducted to verify the effectiveness of the corrective actions implemented by the organization.

How Does BIStrainer Make ISO 45001 Easier?

  • Documentation Management: Our software can help streamline the management of documents related to the OHSMS. It can provide a centralized repository for storing, organizing, and version-controlling policies, procedures, and other relevant documents.

  • Checklist and Evidence Management: Our digital forms can facilitate the creation and management of checklists to ensure auditors cover all relevant areas during the audit. It can also help in capturing and organizing audit evidence, such as photos, videos, and interview notes, for easy reference and retrieval.

  • Non-Conformance Tracking: BIStrainer can aid in tracking identified non-conformities, assigning responsible parties, and monitoring the status of corrective actions. It can automate notifications, reminders, and escalation processes, ensuring the timely resolution of non-conformities.

What is covered in ISO 45001 audits?

The audits, both internal and external, involve reviewing documents, making observations, and conducting interviews. While specific audit criteria may vary among certifying associations, the general focus of the audit includes:

Policy Statement

A company's policy statement consists of guiding principles and rules that direct health and safety actions within the organization.

Hazard Analysis

Identifying workplace hazards that could potentially cause harm, damage, or adverse effects to people or the environment.

Safe Work Practices

Written methods that outline how to perform key job tasks with minimal risks to individuals, equipment, processes, and the work environment.

Safe Job Procedures

Procedures that provide detailed, step-by-step instructions to workers, similar to Standard Operating Procedures, ensuring tasks are performed correctly.

Company Rules

Rules that govern the actions and behavior of all employees, clearly defining what is acceptable and unacceptable in the workplace.

Personal Protective Equipment

Also known as PPE, these items, such as safety glasses, hats, boots, breathing apparatuses, and uniforms, are designed to protect employees from hazards.

Preventative Maintenance

Regular servicing of work vehicles, equipment, and tools to prevent major problems and enhance operational efficiency.

Training and Communication

Effective health and safety management relies on consistent communication and training employees on the components of the system.

Workplace Inspections

Thorough examinations to identify and document potential workplace hazards, requiring corrective action, often conducted and recorded through reports.

Investigations and Reporting

A reporting process for workplace incidents, accidents, injuries, and emergencies, either outlined in the company's policy statement or as a separate policy.

Emergency Preparedness

Comprehensive plans for addressing emergencies such as fires, explosions, natural disasters, and violent incidents, reinforced by communication, training, and drills.

Field-Level Assessments

Ensuring adequate supplies in key locations, designating and training first aid attendants, and providing consistent training to all staff for proper readiness.

First Aid Readiness

Maintaining adequate supplies in key locations, identifying and training designated first aid attendants, and providing consistent training to all staff for proper readiness.

Statistics and Records

Maintaining centralized health and safety statistics and records that are easily searchable and reviewable.

Violence and Harassment Policies

Demonstrating a commitment to a workplace free of violence and harassment, outlining reporting roles and responsibilities within the organization.

BIS Makes ISO 45001 Easier

BIS Safety Software assists companies in attaining and upholding ISO 45001 certification. The software aids in monitoring training and validating essential skills, ensuring that all necessary training areas are addressed. With the inclusion of ISO 45001 requirements, managers can conveniently retrieve and assess information whenever necessary or for planned audits.

Ready to Begin?

ISO 45001 certification is granted to UK firms that surpass health and safety requirements. Utilizing our Digital Forms feature can assist your organization in obtaining an ISO 45001 audit and gain a competitive advantage.
Discover how in these three simple steps.

Step 1 - Connect with Our Team

Reaching out to our team will provide your business with insights into our EHS software and its benefits for the ISO 45001 program.

Step 2 - Launch Your Personalized Portal

Drawing inspiration from your company's colours and assets, we can create a customized portal for your forms, automated workflows, reporting, and more.

Step 3 - Expert Onboarding

Our team of dedicated onboarding specialists will collaborate with you to ensure your business comprehends the BIStrainer system and maximizes its potential.

Want to learn more about ISO 45001 certification and how the BIStrainer system can assist you in acquiring and maintaining it? Contact us today!