The Importance of an Internal Audit Checklist OHSAS 18001

An internal audit checklist OHSAS 18001 should take many factors into consideration. Some elements may pertain to your business type and its unique risks and hazards while others are mandated by the standard itself.

Lumiform provides an efficient low-code platform that enables you to easily create an internal audit checklist to meet these needs.

Identifying the Auditors
An organized checklist is key to the success of any internal audit. It helps auditors accurately compare requirements of OH&SAS 18001 standard and your EQMS with actual business practices, recording evidence gathered during the audit process as well as improving current processes.

Audit checklists are utilized by safety officers to test an organization’s existing Occupational Health and Safety Management System against the requirements of OHSAS 18001 for compliance, as well as third-party certification. They typically cover topics like documentation of OHSMS, identification and risk analysis of hazards, workplace activities safety controls and controls to reduce workplace injuries.

An effective OH&SAS 18001 audit checklist template should be divided into two sections; department-wise and clause-wise. This makes it easier for auditors to quickly identify which areas require more focus or which questions need answering, while providing ample space for recording details on every item in detail.

Planning the Audit
Establishing a checklist can help ensure all necessary elements are addressed during audits. Becoming familiar with OHSAS 18001 requirements and standards as well as those specific to your organization is vital.

Planning and establishing an OHS management system that fulfills the demands of OHSAS standard requires planning an audit program to determine its scope, frequency, methodologies and competencies for audits.

Verifying that internal auditors possess the requisite skills is also critical in conducting effective audits, and can be accomplished through an assessment of their competencies, experience, training and independence. Doing this will help ensure audits run efficiently with all identified issues resolved promptly while helping reduce risks of noncompliance which could result in lost productivity, fines and premium increases.

Conducting the Audit
An internal audit is an invaluable way to ensure your OH&S procedures are up to date, but its success depends on more than simply planning and recording information; its success also lies in taking measures to address any noncompliance issues which arise during its process.

At your audit, it’s vitally important to identify who is accountable for resolving any findings and identify who plans on taking actions to address any identified issues in order to ensure your OH&SMS continues to progress smoothly and promptly deals with any concerns that may arise. This will help ensure OH&SMS improvement over time as any issues are promptly dealt with and dealt with swiftly.

Implementing OHSAS 18001 can reduce downtime due to work-related accidents or incidents, and help avoid costly fines or prosecution from non-compliance. Furthermore, adopting it can create a safe and healthy workplace environment for employees which in turn boost morale and productivity. With low-code software platforms like DATAMYTE’s low-code platform you can easily build custom OH&S audit checklists while conducting process audits that monitor overall OH&S performance.

Reporting on the Audit
Once an audit has concluded, it’s crucial that you document its findings. Doing this will enable you to identify areas for improvement and avoid future issues while meeting all legal requirements – something especially vital if your business falls under government regulation.

With DATAMYTE’s low-code software platform, it is possible to easily create mobile-ready checklists for health and safety audits, allowing your team to conduct inspections on-the-go instead of waiting for your safety officer to return from their office.

Documenting everything correctly will ensure you have an exhaustive and accurate set of documentation, while your management systems comply fully with industry standards. Furthermore, documenting will reduce downtime, boost employee morale, save on operational costs and liability insurance, ultimately increasing productivity and profits while building your company image within its industry and drawing in new clients.