Risk-based audit planning
Define ownership, expected evidence, monitoring and escalation before relying on this control.
World time
Managed Services / COHSEW knowledge
Auditing
Independent evidence about whether controls are designed, implemented and effective.
Objective
What this area means for safer, healthier and more responsible operations.
A useful audit goes beyond document presence. It follows risk, samples objective evidence, listens to workers, tests implementation and reports findings in a way that supports correction and learning. Audit scope, criteria, competence and independence should be agreed before work begins.
COHSEW principleUse competent, risk-based assurance to prevent harm, verify control and support continual improvement.
Priority controls
Where organisations should focus.
Priorities must be adapted to the organisation, activity, location, affected people and applicable legal requirements.
Document, interview, observation and data evidence
Define ownership, expected evidence, monitoring and escalation before relying on this control.
Clear findings linked to criteria
Define ownership, expected evidence, monitoring and escalation before relying on this control.
Correction, root cause and effectiveness review
Define ownership, expected evidence, monitoring and escalation before relying on this control.
How COHSEW supports you
From risk question to measurable assurance.
Our specialists help organisations select proportionate methods, preserve independence and turn technical evidence into action.
- 01Build annual and multi-site audit programmes
Agree the scope, accountable owner, evidence and success measures, then review effectiveness over time.
- 02Train internal auditors and technical specialists
Agree the scope, accountable owner, evidence and success measures, then review effectiveness over time.
- 03Analyse recurring findings and systemic themes
Agree the scope, accountable owner, evidence and success measures, then review effectiveness over time.
Authoritative guidance
Continue with the primary sources.
These external resources informed this page. Always confirm current national law, regulator guidance and contractual requirements for your location.
01International Labour Organization
Guidelines on occupational safety and health management systems
Open official source ↗02International Organization for StandardizationISO 45001 occupational health and safety
Open official source ↗03International Organization for StandardizationInternational standards overview
Open official source ↗Information on this page supports awareness and programme design. It is not legal, medical or regulatory advice, does not reproduce the full text of any standard and does not replace competent assessment of your specific circumstances.
Need a programme for Auditing?