The ISO 45001 Lead Auditor Course prepares professionals to plan and conduct audits of Occupational Health and Safety Management Systems (OH&SMS), assessing conformity and effectiveness against ISO 45001 requirements. The training covers the complete audit cycle, with a focus on evidence, consistency, risk-based critical assessment and the ability to analyse and conclude.
Quick Access: Introduction· Why this course exists· What this course enables· Frameworks and standards· Value· Objectives· Target audience· Prerequisites· Programme· Exam & Certification· Other information· Benefits· Logistics· Registration
Upcoming dates
Confirmed dates.
Synchronous, live training. Interaction with the trainer and the group.
Live Online • next edition
Live Online • base price
Language: available in Portuguese or English
Training: practical and case-study based
Exam: 4h
SPECIALIST LEVEL — advanced competences to address critical challenges in the area.
Why this ISO 45001 Lead Auditor course exists
To transform ISO 45001 requirements into real, evidence-based auditing aligned with international audit best practices.
Many organisations implement or maintain an OH&SMS, but struggle when they need to demonstrate legal conformity, auditable evidence and readiness to respond to internal and external audits. This course prepares professionals to structure an Audit Programme, lead teams and conduct audits of an Occupational Health and Safety Management System, with method, consistency and results orientation.
What this course enables you to do
Structure
Design and maintain an audit programme — internal and/or external — aligned with ISO 45001 and audit best practices.
Plan
Prepare and plan audits — objectives, criteria, scope, team, plan and approach — including Stage 1 and Stage 2 audits.
Conduct
Perform audits using appropriate evidence collection and verification methods, effective communication and team management in a real context, including on-site verification and interviews.
Conclude
Record findings and nonconformities, build conclusions, produce the report and manage audit follow-up, supporting continuous improvement and maintenance of ISO 45001 certification.
Frameworks, standards and best practices addressed throughout the course
ISO 45002
ISO 45003
ISO 45004
ISO 19011
ISO/IEC 17021-1
ISO/IEC 17021-10
ISO/IEC 17024
Audit Programme
Stage 1 & Stage 2
BEHAVIOUR methodology — step by step
OHS legislation and regulation — Portugal and EU
Value for the organisation
- Greater governance and control capability over the OH&SMS, with structured internal audits and consistent evidence.
- Reduced risk of critical nonconformities in external audits through preparation, method and practical training.
- Better OHS legal conformity, supported by evidence-oriented auditing — requirements, obligations and proof.
- Continuous improvement based on findings, corrective actions and auditable follow-up.
- More competent teams to interact with Certification Bodies and support the maintenance of ISO 45001 certification.
Introduction
The ISO 45001 Lead Auditor course is supported by practical exercises and challenges participants to audit an Occupational Health and Safety Management System (OH&SMS) based on the requirements of ISO 45001 and internationally recognised audit best practices.
In addition to mastering concepts, principles and requirements, the course focuses on the ability to put an Audit Programme into practice, through a customised audit methodology proposed by BEHAVIOUR. This approach includes programme design, audit planning and execution, evidence collection and validation — documentary and on-site — recording findings, conclusions and follow-up, supported by templates, tools and resources that accelerate application in an organisational context.
The ISO 45001 Lead Auditor course is also articulated with best practices from the ISO 45000 family — including ISO 45002, ISO 45003 and ISO 45004 — and with audit principles based on ISO 19011, ensuring an integrated view of conformity, evidence and continuous improvement within the OHS scope.
This Training Plan and all associated documents are protected by Copyright and registered as a literary work with IGAC.
General Objectives
At the end of this course, participants will be able to:
- Understand the fundamental concepts of Occupational Health and Safety and the main requirements of ISO 45001.
- Know the correlation within the ISO 45000 family — ISO 45002, ISO 45003, ISO 45004 — and relevant practices, legislation and regulation.
- Understand the ISO 45001 certification process.
- Understand fundamental audit concepts and principles based on ISO 19011.
- Establish, implement, maintain and improve an internal audit programme aligned with ISO 45001 and supported by audit best practices.
- Prepare and plan ISO 45001 audits of an OH&SMS, defining objectives, criteria, scope, team, plan and approach.
- Understand roles, including the auditor role, competence requirements and communication requirements for successful audits.
- Conduct ISO 45001 internal and external audits — first-, second- and third-party audits — including Stage 1 and Stage 2.
- Identify and record findings, including nonconformities, establish conclusions and prepare the audit report.
- Complete an ISO 45001 audit, ensuring follow-up activities and closure.
- Use the audit process to support continuous conformity, continuous improvement and maintenance of ISO 45001 certification.
- Acquire the knowledge required to succeed in the BEHAVIOUR Certified Occupational Health & Safety 45001 Lead Auditor exam.
Target Audience
- Occupational Health and Safety technicians, managers and leaders who need to perform internal audits or support external audits.
- Internal auditors who participate in or lead ISO 45001 audits.
- External auditors — contracted auditors — and professionals who wish to work with Certification Bodies in ISO 45001 certification audits.
- Managers or leaders of audit functions/departments who wish to consolidate a conforming audit programme.
- Project managers and consultants who lead, or are preparing to lead, ISO 45001 implementation programmes and need to understand audit requirements.
- Professionals involved in the implementation or operation of an OH&SMS who wish to understand the audit process in depth.
Prerequisites
There are no mandatory formal prerequisites. However, previous experience or exposure to OHS, OH&SMS, audits, risk management, governance and operations is recommended, as well as familiarity with legal obligations and good practices applicable to Occupational Health and Safety.
In addition, other specific requirements may apply, where relevant, depending on the quotation or proposal presented.
Programme
Occupational Health and Safety, ISO 45001 and related best practices
- Introduction to the course
- OHS standards, conformity requirements, relevant legislation and regulation — Portugal and EU
- Preparation for ISO 45001 certification
- OHS foundations: hazards, risks, opportunities, culture, consultation and participation
- Presentation and overview of OH&SMS requirements — Part 1: Clauses 4 to 7
OH&SMS and fundamental audit principles
- Presentation and overview of OH&SMS requirements — Part 2: Clauses 8 to 10
- Introduction to audit concepts and principles based on ISO 19011
- Competence framework for audits and certification — ISO/IEC 17021-1 and ISO/IEC 17021-10
Preparing, planning and initiating the audit; performing documentary and on-site audit
- Internal audit programme
- Preparation and planning of OH&SMS audits, including legal conformity
- Audit communication and stakeholder management, including consultation/participation where applicable
- Audit planning and initiation
- Documentary audit execution — Stage 1
- Synthesis of information and planning for the on-site audit — Stage 2
- On-site audit execution — Stage 2
Concluding on-site activities and closing the audit
- Obtain and verify information: audit methods and testing
- Identify and record audit findings, including nonconformities
- Prepare audit conclusions
- Audit closure; prepare and distribute the report
- Follow-up activities
- Maintenance of ISO 45001 certification
- Personal certification and training closure
Exam(s) and Certification
Exam “Certified Occupational Health & Safety 45001 Lead Auditor”
The exam covers the following competence domains:
- Domain 1: OHS foundations and ISO 45001 requirements
- Domain 2: Fundamental audit concepts and principles based on ISO 19011
- Domain 3: Establishing and maintaining an ISO 45001 internal audit programme
- Domain 4: Preparing and planning ISO 45001 audit activities
- Domain 5: Conducting ISO 45001 audit activities
- Domain 6: Completing and closing ISO 45001 audit activities
Language(s): Portuguese and English. Please contact BEHAVIOUR regarding availability in other languages.
Duration: 4 hours (240 minutes).
Format: Multiple-choice questions and open questions, based on a main case study and related to the competence domains.
Number of questions: 48 questions.
Pass mark: 700/1000 points.
Results: Pass or Fail.
Issuing entity: Behaviour (legal entity), through its certification service Behaviour Certification Services.
Retake: 1 free retake within a maximum period of 1 year after the date of the initial exam.
Certification — levels and requirements
After successfully completing the exam and accepting or signing the applicable agreement and Code of Ethics, the candidate may apply for one of three levels, according to experience:
- Certified Occupational Health & Safety 45001 Associate Auditor: no previous experience required
- Certified Occupational Health & Safety 45001 Auditor: 2 years of experience in OHS and audits
- Certified Occupational Health & Safety 45001 Lead Auditor: 5 years of experience in OHS and audits
A Certificate and a Digital Certification Badge will be issued to participants who successfully complete the certification exam and satisfy all requirements of the certification for which they are applying. The certification is issued by Behaviour (legal entity), through its certification service Behaviour Certification Services.
Behaviour® professional certification — proprietary scheme — with international recognition in the market. The scheme is designed and operated based on best practices for certification of persons, principles of impartiality and exam quality, and applicable international references, including the principles of ISO/IEC 17024.
Certification programmes are valid only for individuals, and the award and maintenance of certification depend on the exam result, professional experience and compliance with the applicable agreement and Code of Ethics.
If the professional does not comply with the agreement or the Code of Ethics, the certification is not granted or is revoked.
Other Information
General Information
- Training available in Portuguese or English.
- Online training materials available in Portuguese or English, with online access, in accordance with the awarded conditions.
- Practical step-by-step audit methodology.
- Behaviour digital Training Attendance Certificate with 40 CPD/CPE credits.
- Online Certification Exam, in Portuguese or English. The exam may be taken up to 2 months from the course start date.
- If the candidate does not pass the exam, they are entitled to one free retake within a maximum period of 2 months from the release date of the initial exam result.
- Digital Certification Diploma and Digital Certification Badge after passing the exam and completing the application process. This registration process has no associated cost.
Trainer(s)
Benefits
View benefits
- ISO 45001 defines an auditable and certifiable Occupational Health and Safety Management System (OH&SMS), recognised internationally.
- ISO 45001 supports certification and international recognition, access to markets, operational optimisation and reinforced trust with clients, partners and regulatory entities.
- The course is based on the BEHAVIOUR pedagogical model, with a personal certification programme in accordance with ISO/IEC 17024.
- Audit-oriented course, with a step-by-step process covering audit programme, planning, evidence collection, findings and follow-up.
- Preparation for internal and external audits, including best practices based on ISO 19011 and requirements applicable to certification audits.
- Customised methodology that transforms knowledge into practice, with tools and techniques applicable to real contexts.
- Certification exam supervised by an official BEHAVIOUR administrator.
- Exam with multiple-choice questions and open questions, based on a case study, to assess competences more effectively.
- After passing the exam and applying for certification, the professional reaches the applicable level. In case of failure, there is a free retake within the period defined in the scheme.
Logistics
Useful information
- Live Online (synchronous time): 09h30–13h00 and 14h00–17h30 (Lisbon time), with short breaks
- Classroom (synchronous time): 09h30–13h00 and 14h00–17h30 (Lisbon time), with short breaks
- 28 hours of synchronous training, distributed across 4 consecutive days
- Estimated 12 hours of guided autonomous work, intended for content consolidation and exam preparation, carried out flexibly outside synchronous sessions
- Requirements: computer with stable internet, updated browser, PDF reader and audio/video
Hotels in Lisbon
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Frequently Asked Questions
Objective answers to the most common questions about the ISO 45001 Lead Auditor Course
What is the difference between auditing ISO 45001 and auditing other systems, such as ISO 9001 or ISO 14001?
Auditing ISO 45001 requires more field-based verification focused on OHS: hazard identification, OHS risk assessment, effectiveness of operational controls, contractor management, emergency preparedness/response and evidence of consultation and participation of workers and, where they exist, their representatives.
The ISO 45001 Lead Auditor course focuses on OH&SMS auditing. However, when the organisation has an integrated management system — for example, Quality/Environment/OHS — the integration bridge is explained: how to align the audit plan, sampling and interviews to avoid duplication and ensure coverage of interfaces and legal obligations.
Do I need to already have an OH&SMS implemented to benefit from the course?
What types of evidence are typically analysed in an ISO 45001 audit — Stage 1 and Stage 2?
Stage 1 — documentary / readiness: scope, OHS policy and objectives, process and responsibility map, methodology for hazard identification and risk and opportunity assessment, applicable legal obligations and update method, system planning, definition of operational controls and criteria, and available planning and/or evidence of internal audits and management review, where applicable, supporting preparation for Stage 2.
Stage 2 — on-site / implementation: evidence of implementation and effectiveness in the field: application of operational control, observations and interviews, competences and training records, inspections/monitoring, management of alterations, incidents and investigations, corrective actions and effectiveness verification, consultation/participation in practice, and operational proof of legal conformity — records, evidence of fulfilment and treatment of deviations.
How is the OHS legal conformity component addressed during the audit?
Is the course useful for audits of operations involving subcontractors and multiple sites?
For general questions about registration, delivery modes, exams, certification and recertification, please consult the BEHAVIOUR® FAQs.
Registration
Complete the form to request your registration for the preferred edition. Check the upcoming dates.
Request more information
If you would like help to frame the course within your professional or organisational context, contact us and we will indicate the most suitable path.
Companies: request a proposal
For team registrations, we provide volume conditions and a proposal tailored to the organisational need.
This course can be attended by individual professionals. It may also be integrated into capability-building paths for audit, OHS, conformity and risk teams that need to evaluate OH&SMS with rigour, consistency and evidence.