One of the fundamental components of any ISO 45001-certified OHSMS is the function of the ISO 45001 Auditor Training. 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 identification of gaps and areas where performance could be adjusted for the better. It therefore stands to reason that to maximize the benefits of the internal audit function, you must have the correct internal auditor in place, and that person should have a unique and defined skillset.
What skills must an OHSMS auditor possess?
After deciding whether qualifications are necessary or not, it is wise to build up a profile of the person you need to become your OHSMS auditor Training. There are several ways of doing this, but perhaps the most effective is building a “job specification” type of document that can match the requirements of the audit in line with the ISO 45001 standard. After doing this, you can then more easily match the skills of the individual you are considering for the position or task of internal auditor. Here are key competences you should look for:
- 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 OHSMS auditor.
- An understanding of the company structure and procedures: While not strictly necessary – for example, the external auditor will not have this knowledge – good insight into the way your organization works will help your auditor understand the processes, people, and the risks and opportunities that arise from your organization’s activities.
- A solid understanding of risk: Risk is the key factor in any OHSMS, and an effective auditor will have a keen eye for identifying the main risk points within a business.
- A methodical way of thinking: Your auditor should be able to think logically and methodically. Without this ability, you may find gaps in your audits, leading to non-conformances for your organization when it comes time for your certification audit, and daily risks to your employees.
- Good evaluation skills: Collecting findings accurately and methodically is vital, but evaluating these correctly and formulating actions is equally important. An auditor with the ability to do this will be of great value to your organization.
- Good written skills: As internal audit recording is mandatory and critical. It is also easy to imagine that the better the structure and content of an internal audit report, the more advantageous the outcome will be for your OHSMS and employees.
- Excellent knowledge of root cause and corrective action processes: Having an auditor with this key skill is vita. The ability to analyse root cause, suggest an effective corrective action, and the intelligence to recognize if reoccurrence is likely, possible, or unlikely.