Steps for OHSAS 18000 audit readiness:
Book a consultation with us if you need assistance with OHSAS 18000 certification audit readiness.
Step 1: Scope Identification and OH&S-MS Implementation
The organisation looking to become certified should identify the scope and the site of its certification effort. In order to evaluate its initial level of conformance to OHSAS 18001, the organisation’s current procedures, processes, and practices should be reviewed. The organisation itself is responsible for conducting this mentioned review. The certification process will only begin once the organisation has implemented the OH&S-MS successfully and feels that it meets all the OHSAS 18001 requirements. The organisation will then submit a formal application to a selected certification body.
Step 2: Hiring a Certification Body
The next logical step is to hire a certification body. This body will assist you in all the steps hereafter. We are a one stop shop. Contact us for for certification readiness.
Step 3: Submitting an Application
The rights and obligations of both the organisation and the certification body should be set out clearly in the submitted application. The following are some of the issues addressed in the application: instructions on how the certificate of registration is to be used, the right to appeal and dispute assessment findings, as well as some confidentiality issues.
Step 4: Reviewing Documents
The gathering and reviewing of already existing documentation that is related to the OH&S-MS need to be certified. The certification body carries out the document review before the actual on-site assessments take place. Off-site conduction of the document review does take place, but is not that typical.
Step 5: Conducting a Pre-Audit/Pre-Assessment
The pre-audit is an on-site audit. An initial understanding of all the organisation’s operations that is to be certified is gained by the certification body. The pre-audit also allows for the opportunity to have a look at the functioning of the organisation’s OH&S-MS. The two main purposes of the pre-audit can be taken together as follows: preparing all involved parties for the upcoming process by means of providing an overview of operations and the audit process; and determining the overall readiness of the OH&S-MS for a comprehensive audit.
Step 6: Conducting a Comprehensive Audit/Assessment
An assessment team will visit the organisation as soon as the existing OH&S-MS is found to be at an adequate level to be audited. The assessment team comprises a lead auditor accompanied by one or two support auditors. By conducting site inspections, interviews with key personnel, and reviewing the OH&S-MS, auditors are able to verify whether the organisation’s OH&S-MS conforms to the OHSAS 18001 requirements.
Step 7: Outcome of Certification
Your organisation will acquire one of the following three outcomes:
- Approval The OH&S-MS of your organisation has demonstrated acceptable conformance with the requirements of OHSAS 18001.
- Conditional/Provisional Approval The OH&S-MS has of your organisation has minor non-conformances that are easy to rectify and reassess within a specified time frame.
- Disapproval The OH&S-MS of your organisation has not demonstrated conformance with OHSAS 18001. Disapproval is acquired in cases where some basic elements of the standard (such as the OH&S-MS auditing or corrective action) has not been addressed. Before the certification body can conduct a reassessment, the organisation should correct the deficiencies within its OH&S-MS.
Step 8: Conducting Surveillance Audits
Periodic surveillance audits will be performed by the certification body to ensure that the organisation’s OH&S-MS continues to be in conformance after the initial assessment. It is usually conducted on an annual basis.
Contact Sher-Q Management Consultants for any Health and Safety Management System needs and certification.
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