A temporary fix has a way of becoming permanent. A guard comes off for a repair, a barrier goes up, an extra worker joins for a busy week, and months later nobody remembers why things are the way they are. ISO 45001 deals with this directly. This guide explains how the standard covers temporary changes and how an auditor checks them. It is for auditors and for anyone preparing for the CQI (Chartered Quality Institute) and IRCA (International Register of Certificated Auditors) ISO 45001 Lead Auditor course. Always check the exact wording in the current standard.

What does clause 8.1.3 say about temporary changes?

It names planned temporary changes next to permanent ones, so both need control.

The clause does not treat temporary changes as lesser. It asks for processes to implement and control planned temporary and permanent changes that affect OH&S performance. The word temporary tells auditors to look beyond big projects and check small, short-term changes as well. Our guide to auditing management of change in ISO 45001 covers the whole clause, and our guide to how an ISO 45001 audit works shows where this check fits.

What counts as a temporary change in ISO 45001?

Any short-term change to equipment, layout, people, materials or work methods that affects OH&S performance.

A temporary change with no end date is a permanent change nobody has assessed.

Why are temporary changes risky?

They skip the usual checks, get forgotten and quietly become permanent.

• Speed. People are in a hurry, so the risk assessment is skipped.
• Informality. A verbal instruction replaces a recorded approval.
• Forgetting. Nobody owns the end date, so the change stays in place.
• Training gaps. Workers meet the change without being told about it.
• Layered risk. Several temporary changes in one area add up to a new hazard.

Our guide to auditing contractor management in ISO 45001 covers temporary workers and contractors, and our guide to auditing emergency preparedness and response in ISO 45001 shows how temporary changes can affect emergency routes.

What controls should a temporary change have?

A record, a risk assessment, an approval, an end date and a check on removal.

1. Record it as a change, even if it is small.
2. Assess hazards and risks before it starts, and choose controls using the hierarchy of controls.
3. Get approval from a named person.
4. Set an end date and review it if it needs to be extended.
5. Tell and train the people affected, and consult workers.
6. Remove or make permanent through the proper process, and check the result.

Our guide to auditing the hierarchy of controls shows how to judge the controls, and our guide to worker consultation and participation in ISO 45001 explains how workers should be involved.

How do you audit temporary changes in ISO 45001?

Ask for the register, walk the site for temporary fixes and trace a few to their records.

Our ISO 45001 audit plan and checklist guide shows how to add this to your checklist, and our guide to documents required for an ISO 45001 audit helps you decide what to read first.

How do you interview people about temporary changes?

Ask who authorized it, when it ends and what workers were told.

1. Ask the supervisor which temporary arrangements are in place now.
2. Ask who approved each one and where it is recorded.
3. Ask for the end date and what will happen at that date.
4. Ask workers what changed and what training or briefing they had.
5. Confirm every comment with a record or something you can see.

Our guide to how to interview workers in an ISO 45001 audit shows how to ask the questions.

Which gaps do auditors find in temporary changes?

Common gaps are missing end dates, no assessment, verbal approvals and forgotten fixes.

• No end date. A temporary fix has been in place for months.
• No assessment. The risk assessment is missing or dated after the change.
• Verbal approval. Nothing is written down and nobody can say who agreed.
• Not logged. Staffing or material changes never reach the register.
• Not reviewed. Nobody checks the effect when the change ends.

Treat these as prompts and confirm each one with evidence before you raise a finding. Our guide to auditing management review in ISO 45001 shows where changes should be reviewed.

Frequently asked questions

Where 3FOLD Training fits

3FOLD Training is a CQI IRCA Approved Training Partner (ATP 6039853), licensed by the Knowledge and Human Development Authority (KHDA) in Dubai. The ISO 45001 Lead Auditor course is delivered as 40 hours of Virtual Instructor Led Training (VILT), with learning management system (LMS) access for class recordings and mock exams, and you can check the next available batch on the course page. We prepare you for the exam; CQI and IRCA examine and certify. Before you book, read what you need in our eligibility guide.