IRCA Certified Health & Safety Lead Auditor Training ISO 45001

Build auditing expertise for proactive OH&S systems

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ISO 45001:2018 provides organisations with a framework to proactively improve safety and prevent work-related injury and ill-health. Delivered in association with CQI and IRCA Approved Training Partner Antaris, the course is aligned with international best practices and provides a pathway to globally recognised auditing credentials. It provides learners with the practical skills and essential knowledge to confidently carry out first, second and third-party audits of occupational health and safety management systems against ISO 45001, in accordance with ISO 19011 and ISO/IEC 17021.

Regulatory bodies, accreditation agencies and client organisations must have confidence that auditors are capable of conducting thorough, consistent and impartial evaluations. This programme ensures that certified auditors meet the highest standards of competence, helping to uphold safety, compliance and public trust.

The course incorporates the most up to date approaches to auditing, real-world case studies, exercises and accelerated learning methods. Learners will leave ready to conduct effective first, second and third-party audits of entire OH&S management systems, helping organisations to meet legal, regulatory and strategic health and safety objectives.

This comprehensive five-day course covers all key areas of ISO 45001:2018 auditing. Through workshops, case studies and roleplay, learners will engage with the following topics:

Purpose, structure and key benefits of OH&SMS and ISO 45001
PDCA cycle and OH&S process approach
ISO 45001 requirements and definitions
Understanding Annex SL structure
Types of audits (first, second, third-party)
Auditor roles, responsibilities and certification
Planning and conducting audits
Reporting and follow-up

Please note:
This course is intensive (containing a total of 40 hours study time) which necessitates some evening study to reinforce daily learning. Learners should be prepared to commit time outside of the scheduled sessions to review materials and prepare for assessment.

This programme is ideal for learners who intend to become practising auditors or those involved in the design, implementation and management of OH&S Management Systems. It is particularly relevant to individuals from any background who are responsible for performing or managing audits.

This course will benefit:

Individuals responsible for internal, external or cross-audits of OH&S management systems
Health and Safety Officers and Managers
Technical, Quality and Environmental Managers
Safety Representatives
Sub-contractors and suppliers engaging with client OH&S audits
Those applying for CQI IRCA OH&SMS Auditor grades

On successful completion of this course, learners will be able to:

Explain the purpose and benefits of OH&S management systems and ISO 45001
Describe the principles and practices of effective auditing based on ISO 19011 and ISO/IEC 17021
Plan, conduct, report and follow up audits to assess conformity to ISO 45001
Apply key audit techniques, including evidence collection, interviewing and reporting
Evaluate audit findings and make informed recommendations
Interpret ISO 45001 requirements within real-world organisational contexts
Demonstrate understanding of auditor responsibilities and certification pathways

These outcomes are grounded in practical auditing scenarios to prepare learners for application in their own organisations.

Elizabeth Walker

Elizabeth has extensive industry experience planning, establish...

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Finbarr Stapleton

Finbarr Stapleton, Antaris, has a B.Sc. in Industrial Chemistry...

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Gerry Higgins

With extensive experience of implementing quality, environmenta...

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Peter Fleming

Peter Fleming is an accomplished EHSQ professional with credibl...

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CQI IRCA expect learners to have the following prior knowledge before attending this course:

The Plan, Do, Check, Act (PDCA) cycle
Management systems structures and the interrelationship between leadership, planning, implementation and review processes.
OH&S principles including hazard identification, risk control, legal compliance
How OH&S management supports safe workplaces, injury prevention and continuous safety improvement.
Common examples of relevant national and local OH&S legislation and requirements.
ISO 45001 standard and its terminology

Prior completion of an ISO 45001 Foundation course or equivalent is highly recommended.

If you have access to a copy of ISO 45001, please have it available for the course.

Please note: The final examination for this course is challenging and requires a strong grasp of ISO 45001 principles and audit methodology. Meeting the entry criteria is key to engaging effectively with the course and succeeding in the final exam.

English Language Competency
A good standard of written and spoken English is important to engage effectively with this programme.

Assessment for this programme is based on two key components that evaluate both participation during the course and applied knowledge after completion:

Continuous assessment
Open-book online exam (within 30 days from last day of training)

Continuous assessment (70% pass mark):
Learners are assessed continuously throughout the course via interactive exercises and engagement in Q&A sessions:

Role-playing audit scenarios
Involvement in case study exercises
Active participation in course discussions
Tutor-led evaluation of individual contributions

Full attendance and participation are required for successful completion.  Feedback on individual learner's performance is provided (confidentially) during the week.

Open-book online exam (50% pass mark):

Learners have 30 days from the final day of training to complete the online exam.

 Questions include:

Multiple choice, matching, sequencing and drag-and-drop formats
Scenario-based tasks that assess audit planning, execution and decision-making
Evaluating real-world cases and select appropriate audit actions

Exam Preparation and Conditions
Learners are provided with 24 practice questions to familiarise themselves with the online SARAS exam format. These are accessible towards the end of the course and are strongly recommended.

The final exam is computer-marked and open book; to maintain exam integrity, submitted answers cannot be changed, so accuracy on first attempt is essential.

The exam is open book, allowing use of course notes and a copy of the ISO 9001 standard in either paper or electronic format, internet use is strictly prohibited.

IT Requirements
It is strongly recommended that learners review the IT requirements for the SARAS proctoring exam platform before the course begins. A reliable internet connection, a supported browser and access to a quiet test environment are essential for successful exam completion.

Assessment criteria:

70% pass mark for continuous assessment
50% pass mark for the open-book online exam

Exam results will be issued 7 weeks after course completion.

Our training approach is practical, highly interactive and discussion-based, with flexibility to meet organisational needs:

Learners receive:

Pre-training consultation to align with your OH&SMS (for In-Company courses)
Where appropriate, exercises incorporate the organisation’s own OH&SMS documentation, offering learners the opportunity to practise audit techniques in a relevant and realistic setting.
Access to practice questions and exam simulator
Support through SQT's online learning platform
Real-time support from expert tutors

Class sizes are generally limited to 10–12 to support personalised learning and individual support.

This course is:

Certified by CQI IRCA (Course Certificate No. 1942)
Recognised as meeting the training requirements for CQI IRCA OH&SMS Auditor certification (subject to additional criteria)*

Learners who successfully complete this CQI and IRCA Certified ISO 45001:2018 Lead Auditor (OHSMS) training course within five years of applying will meet the training requirement for initial IRCA OHSMS auditor certification. Additional education, work and auditing experience are also required (see https://www.quality.org/).

Following this course, learners may wish to:

Apply for CQI IRCA OH&SMS Auditor certification
Complete ISO 9001 Lead Auditor Training
Complete ISO 14001 Lead Auditor Training
Complete ISO 50001 Lead Auditor (EnMS)

These options support continuous professional development in the auditing and OH&S fields.

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Snapshot

Accreditation

This Programme (PR357) is presented by Antaris (01185832)

CQI and IRCA Certified - Programme Ref 1942

Online Learning FAQ >

Course Code

HS018

Duration

5 training days

Public Price

Virtual Training: €995

+ €70 for CQI IRCA Course Certification

Delivery Mode

This programme is delivered by Classroom, Virtual Training, or In-Company training

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News & Updates

ISO 45001: Clause 7 – Support

Clause 7 of ISO 45001 provides guidance on the support required to ensure that the OH&S management system is functioning effectively. The organisation must ...

ISO 45001:2018 Clause 4: Context of the Organisation (Part 1 of 7)

Clause 4 of ISO 45001:2018 focusses the organisation on defining what it is and does, and on what can affect its ability to manage its occupational health and s...

ISO 45001:2018 Lead Auditor (OH&SMS) – CQI and IRCA Certified

Build auditing expertise for proactive OH&S systems

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