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What Skills should an ISO 45001 internal auditor have?

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What Skills should an ISO 45001 internal auditor have?

One of the fundamental components of any ISO 45001-certified OHSMS (Operational Health and Safety Management System) is the function of the internal audit. As a mandatory part of the ISO 45001 standard itself, the internal audit is essential for checking your system’s performance and compliance.

It is also an excellent tool to ensure continual improvement through the identification of gaps and areas where performance could be adjusted for the better. The following examples illustrate the kind of general knowledge and skill that occupational health and safety management auditors need to have. They should:-

  • Proper understanding of the audit trail

As companies are responsible to choose their internal auditor, they must ensure that he/she can identify the type of documents required, when they need to be submitted, and who needs to be involved. These may entail examining a company’s internal controls around corporate governance, reporting, and evaluating efficiencies of the same. And auditor should know all these aspects.

  • They don't get self-conscious

Auditors need to be objective. When something doesn't look right, objectivity enables them to ask tough questions, notify management, and work through the issue by professional standards. The best internal auditors have the self-confidence to comment and challenge the status quo.

  • Good knowledge of the ISO 45001 standard

This seems obvious, but unless the person being considered for the task has good knowledge of the standard, it is highly unlikely that he/she will be suitable. In other words, a person with little experience with OH&S in the workplace may not make the best OHSAS auditor.

  • Time management

Keeping to the proposed schedule, attending meetings on time, prompting feedback on the work progress – these characteristics are also important for an effective auditor. The company’s operations may be impacted by spending the worker's time for audit interviewing. Therefore, it is vital that the auditor follows their guidelines and completes the work on time. So that other work of management should not delay.

  • Effective communication skills

Clear communication throughout the entire audit process will create a positive working environment for both the auditee as well as the auditor. It is important to discuss any observations / non-conformances so there are no surprises within the audit report. On the other hand, if there’s something that’s working well in the company’s system, the auditor should emphasize it and acknowledge the great work.

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