ISO 45001 Clause 9.2.2 Internal Audit Programme

Introduction

ISO 45001 is an internationally recognized standard for occupational health and safety management systems. Clause 9.2.2 of ISO 45001 focuses on the internal audit program, which plays a crucial role in ensuring the effectiveness of the occupational health and safety management system within an organization. This clause outlines requirements for planning, conducting, and reporting internal audits to identify areas for improvement and compliance. In this blog post, we will discuss the importance of ISO 45001 Clause 9.2.2 and how organizations can effectively implement an internal audit program to meet the standard's requirements.

Importance of a Well-Established Internal Audit Programme

A well-established internal audit programme is crucial for ensuring the effectiveness of an organization's occupational health and safety management system. This is outlined in ISO 45001 Clause 9.2.2, which emphasizes the importance of regular and systematic internal audits to evaluate the performance of the OH&S management system.

Some key benefits of a well-established internal audit programme include:

• Identification of Non-Conformities: Internal audits help to identify any gaps or deficiencies in the implementation of the OH&S management system. This allows the organization to take corrective actions to address these issues and improve overall performance.

• Continuous Improvement: Internal audits provide valuable feedback on the effectiveness of the OH&S management system, enabling the organization to continually improve and enhance its processes and procedures.

• Compliance With Regulations: By conducting internal audits, organizations can ensure that they are meeting the requirements of ISO 45001 and other relevant OH&S regulations. This helps to reduce the risk of non-compliance and potential legal issues.

• Increased Accountability: An internal audit programme promotes accountability within the organization by requiring regular monitoring and evaluation of OH&S performance. This helps to ensure that all employees are aware of their responsibilities and are committed to maintaining a safe and healthy working environment.

Overall, a well-established internal audit programme is essential for ensuring the ongoing effectiveness and continual improvement of an organization's occupational health and safety management system. It helps to identify areas for improvement, ensure compliance with regulations, and promote a culture of accountability and responsibility for health and safety within the organization.

Designing an Effective Internal Audit Schedule

An effective internal audit schedule is crucial for ensuring compliance with ISO 45001 standards and continuously improving occupational health and safety management systems. Below is a guide on designing an internal audit schedule in accordance with Clause 9.2.2 of the ISO 45001 standard:

• Establish Objectives and Scope: First, define the objectives and scope of the internal audit program. Identify the specific processes, activities, and areas of the organization that will be audited to ensure compliance with ISO 45001 requirements.

• Identify Audit Criteria: Determine the audit criteria based on the organization's policies, procedures, and legal requirements related to occupational health and safety. These criteria will serve as the benchmark for evaluating the effectiveness of the management system.

• Determine Audit Frequency: Establish a regular audit frequency based on the size, complexity, and risk profile of the organization. Consider scheduling audits at least annually or more frequently if necessary to identify and address any non-conformities in a timely manner.

• Assign Audit Responsibilities: Designate qualified and competent internal auditors to conduct the audits. Ensure that auditors have the necessary knowledge, skills, and training to effectively assess the organization's compliance with ISO 45001 requirements.

• Develop an Audit Plan: Create a detailed audit plan that outlines the audit objectives, scope, criteria, and timelines. Include a list of audit activities, resources required, and the audit schedule for each audit cycle.

• Conduct Audits: Follow the audit plan and schedule to conduct internal audits of the organization's occupational health and safety management system. Use appropriate audit techniques and tools to gather evidence and assess the system's performance against the audit criteria.

• Document Audit Findings: Record and document audit findings, observations, and any non-conformities identified during the audit process. Ensure that all audit records are accurate, complete, and maintained in accordance with ISO 45001 documentation requirements.

• Report Audit Results: Prepare an audit report summarizing the findings, conclusions, and recommendations from the audit. Communicate the audit results to relevant stakeholders, including management, to facilitate corrective actions and improvements to the management system.

• Follow-Up and Monitor: Track and monitor the implementation of corrective actions and improvements resulting from the audit findings. Conduct follow-up audits as needed to verify the effectiveness of the corrective actions taken and ensure ongoing compliance with ISO 45001 requirements.

By following these steps and designing an effective internal audit schedule, organizations can maintain compliance with ISO 45001 standards, identify areas for improvement, and enhance their occupational health and safety management systems.

Selection of Qualified Internal Auditors

ISO 45001 Clause 9.2.2 requires organizations to establish an internal audit programme to determine whether the occupational health and safety management system conforms to planned arrangements and is effectively implemented and maintained. When selecting internal auditors for this programme, it is important to choose individuals who possess the necessary qualifications and skills to effectively carry out the audit process.

Some factors to consider when selecting internal auditors include:

• Knowledge and understanding of the ISO 45001 standard and its requirements.

• Training and experience in conducting audits.

• Ability to objectively assess the organization's occupational health and safety management system.

• Communication and interpersonal skills to effectively engage with employees at all levels of the organization.

• Attention to detail and analytical skills to identify non-conformities and areas for improvement.

• Independence and impartiality in conducting audits without bias or conflict of interest.

Overall, the selection of qualified internal auditors is essential to ensure that the internal audit programme is conducted effectively and contributes to the continual improvement of the occupational health and safety management system.

Conducting Thorough Internal Audits

Internal audits are an essential part of maintaining an effective occupational health and safety management system under ISO 45001 standards. Clause 9.2.2 of the ISO 45001 standard specifically outlines the requirements for conducting internal audits within an organization.

To ensure compliance with this clause, organizations must establish and maintain an internal audit program. This program should include a schedule for conducting audits at planned intervals, based on the organization's needs and the results of previous audits.

The internal audit program should also consider the importance of ensuring audits are conducted by competent auditors who are independent of the activities being audited. Auditors should have a good understanding of the organization's occupational health and safety management system, as well as the ISO 45001 standard.

During internal audits, auditors should review relevant documentation, observe workplace conditions, and interview employees to assess the effectiveness of the occupational health and safety management system. Audit findings should be documented and communicated to management for timely corrective action.

Ultimately, conducting thorough internal audits in accordance with ISO 45001 Clause 9.2.2 helps organizations identify areas for improvement in their health and safety practices, leading to a safer and healthier work environment for all employees.

Recording and Reporting Audit Findings

Clause 9.2.2 of ISO 45001 outlines the requirements for recording and reporting audit findings as part of the internal audit programme.

When conducting internal audits, it is important to thoroughly document all findings, including any observations, non-conformities, and opportunities for improvement. This documentation should be detailed and objective, and should include evidence to support the findings.

Once the audit findings have been recorded, they should be reported to the relevant parties, such as management, in a timely manner. The report should clearly communicate the findings, including any corrective actions that are required, as well as any recommendations for improvement.

It is important to ensure that the audit findings are communicated effectively to all relevant stakeholders, and that appropriate follow-up actions are taken to address any issues identified during the audit.

By following these requirements for recording and reporting audit findings, organizations can ensure that their internal audit programme is effective in identifying areas for improvement and promoting continual improvement in health and safety performance.

Conclusion

Implementing an effective internal audit program is crucial for organizations looking to achieve and maintain ISO 45001 certification. Clause 9.2.2 of the ISO 45001 standard specifically outlines the requirements for an internal audit program, which plays a key role in identifying areas for improvement and ensuring compliance with occupational health and safety management systems. In this article, we will discuss the conclusion of ISO 45001 Clause 9.2.2 Internal Audit Programme and provide insights into how organizations can successfully implement and maintain an internal audit program that meets the requirements of the standard. Stay tuned to learn more about how to effectively conclude your internal audit program and achieve ISO 45001 certification.