What Is an ISO 45001 Internal Auditor?

An ISO 45001 Internal Auditor is responsible for checking an organisation's own Occupational Health and Safety Management System. The purpose of an internal audit is to determine whether the organisation's processes are being followed and whether the OHSMS is effective.

During an internal audit, the auditor may examine how the organisation identifies workplace hazards, assesses OH&S risks, manages legal requirements, provides employee training, handles incidents, prepares for emergencies, and implements corrective actions.

The auditor collects objective evidence through document reviews, interviews, observations, and other appropriate audit methods. The findings are then communicated to the relevant people within the organisation so that identified gaps can be addressed.

If you are new to the subject, you can first understand the fundamentals through our ISO 45001:2018 OHSMS Training for Beginners guide.

What Is an ISO 45001 Lead Auditor?

An ISO 45001 Lead Auditor has a broader role in managing an audit. In addition to understanding ISO 45001 requirements, the Lead Auditor needs to understand how to plan, coordinate, conduct, and report an audit.

Before an audit begins, the Lead Auditor may review relevant information, determine the audit scope and objectives, prepare an audit plan, and coordinate the activities of the audit team. During the audit, the Lead Auditor may communicate with the organisation's representatives, coordinate auditors, review evidence, and ensure that the audit objectives are being addressed.

At the end of the audit, the Lead Auditor reviews the findings with the audit team and conducts the closing meeting. The audit results are then documented in an audit report.

This means that a Lead Auditor needs not only auditing knowledge but also good communication, planning, coordination, and reporting skills. You can learn more about Lead Auditor training through the ISO 45001 Lead Auditor Training page.

ISO 45001 Internal Auditor vs Lead Auditor

The main difference between an Internal Auditor and a Lead Auditor is the level of responsibility they have during the audit.

An Internal Auditor generally focuses on evaluating the organisation's own processes and determining whether its OHSMS is meeting the planned requirements. The audit is often part of the organisation's internal audit programme and is used to identify areas for improvement.

A Lead Auditor has responsibility for managing the audit process as a whole. This can include preparing the audit plan, coordinating the audit team, managing audit activities, reviewing findings, and overseeing the final audit report.

The exact responsibilities can vary depending on the organisation, audit programme, audit scope, and type of audit being conducted. Therefore, the terms should be understood in the context of the specific audit role.

What Does an ISO 45001 Internal Auditor Do?

An Internal Auditor mainly evaluates whether the organisation's OHSMS processes are working as planned. For example, the auditor may check whether workplace hazards have been identified and whether OH&S risks have been properly assessed.

The auditor may also review training and competence, emergency preparedness, operational controls, incident investigations, corrective actions, and other processes related to occupational health and safety.

The auditor does not simply look at documents. They also collect objective evidence by speaking with employees, observing workplace activities, and checking whether documented procedures are actually being followed.

After completing the audit, the Internal Auditor records the findings and communicates the results to the appropriate people. These findings can help the organisation identify weaknesses and improve its OHSMS.

What Does an ISO 45001 Lead Auditor Do?

A Lead Auditor takes responsibility for managing the audit from the planning stage through to reporting.

Before the audit, the Lead Auditor may review information about the organisation and prepare an audit plan based on the agreed scope and objectives. If an audit team is involved, the Lead Auditor may assign responsibilities and coordinate the team's activities.

During the audit, the Lead Auditor ensures that audit activities are properly managed. They may participate in interviews, review evidence, communicate with the organisation, and monitor the progress of the audit.

Once the audit activities are completed, the Lead Auditor reviews the findings with the audit team. The findings are then presented during the closing meeting, and the audit report is prepared or overseen by the Lead Auditor.

Because of these responsibilities, Lead Auditing involves both technical auditing skills and audit-management skills.

Is an Internal Auditor the Same as a Lead Auditor?

No. Although both roles involve auditing an OHSMS against ISO 45001 requirements, they are not necessarily the same role.

An Internal Auditor generally works within an organisation's internal audit programme and evaluates its own management system. A Lead Auditor has broader responsibility for organising and managing an audit and may coordinate other auditors as part of the audit team.

Can an Internal Auditor Become a Lead Auditor?

Yes. An Internal Auditor can develop towards Lead Auditor responsibilities by gaining relevant knowledge, training, and practical auditing experience.

A professional may start by learning the requirements of ISO 45001 and developing internal auditing skills. With practical audit experience, they can then develop additional skills in audit planning, team coordination, reporting, and audit management.

ISO 45001 knowledge → Internal Auditor training → Practical audit experience → Lead Auditor training → Advanced audit responsibilities

Professionals interested in this career path can also read Steps to Become a Certified ISO 45001 Lead Auditor for additional information.

What Skills Are Important for an ISO 45001 Auditor?

Both Internal Auditors and Lead Auditors need a good understanding of ISO 45001 requirements and auditing principles. They should be able to collect and evaluate objective evidence and communicate audit findings clearly.

An auditor also needs good observation and interviewing skills. During an audit, it is important to ask relevant questions, listen carefully to employees, review available evidence, and determine whether processes meet the applicable requirements.

Lead Auditors additionally need strong planning and coordination skills because they may be responsible for managing audit activities and working with other members of an audit team.

Why Is the Difference Important?

Understanding the difference between an Internal Auditor and a Lead Auditor can help professionals choose training that matches their current role and career goals.

Someone who is responsible for conducting internal audits within an organisation may find Internal Auditor training relevant to their responsibilities. Someone who wants to develop skills in planning, coordinating, and managing audits may consider Lead Auditor training.

It is also important to understand that training is only one part of developing auditing competence. Practical experience and the ability to apply auditing principles in real situations are important for building professional auditing skills.

Frequently Asked Questions

Conclusion

An ISO 45001 Internal Auditor and an ISO 45001 Lead Auditor both contribute to the effective auditing of an Occupational Health and Safety Management System.

The Internal Auditor generally focuses on evaluating an organisation's own OHSMS and identifying areas that may need improvement. The Lead Auditor has broader responsibility for planning, coordinating, managing, and reporting on the audit.

Understanding these differences can help professionals decide which type of ISO 45001 auditor training is more closely aligned with their current responsibilities and future career development.