PECB ISO-45001-Lead-Auditor - PECB Certified OHSMS ISO 45001 Lead Auditor Exam

The correct answers are D, F, H .

ISO 19011 guidance on generating audit findings says that nonconformities can be graded depending on the context of the organization and its risks . That directly supports D , because any grading should reflect the risk the nonconformity presents to the organization. The same guidance also says this grading can be quantitative (for example 1 to 5) or qualitative (for example minor/major) , which makes F correct. Because the wording is “can be graded” , grading is optional rather than mandatory, so H is also true. ( Synersia Foundation )

Why the other options are not true:

A is not a requirement in ISO 19011. An organization may define grading rules in its audit programme or procedure, but there is no rule that grading must be agreed with the individual(s) managing the audit programme. ( ISO )

B is false. ISO 19011 does not recommend that top management grade nonconformities. Audit findings are generated by auditors based on objective evidence and audit criteria. ( ISO )

C is false. A second-party audit team does not have to adopt the auditee’s grading system. The grading approach can follow the auditing organization’s own rules and purpose for the audit. ( ISO )

E is false. Additional documented information at the closing meeting does not mean the grading must be changed. The evidence should be reviewed, but unresolved issues may simply remain recorded in the audit report. ( Synersia Foundation )

G is false. There is no requirement that extra grading categories must be agreed with the auditee before the closing meeting. The auditee should understand the findings, but the grading framework is not something ISO 19011 requires to be negotiated at that point. ( ISO )

The best answer is B .

Under ISO 45001, worker consultation and participation is required by Clause 5.4 , but the standard does not require a specific documented procedure for that clause. The organization must provide mechanisms, information, time, training, and resources for consultation and participation, but ISO 45001 does not say it must maintain a formal procedure specifically for this.

Also, ISO 45001 Clause 7.5.3 requires documented information to be controlled so that it is available and suitable for use, and adequately protected. An “obsolete” document is not automatically a nonconformity just because it exists. It may be retained for reference or historical reasons, provided the organization controls it properly and it is not being used unintentionally as current information. That is why the correct audit reaction is to note it and verify on site whether it is actually part of the current controlled documented information .

Why the other options are not the best:

A is weak because using an obsolete procedure to prepare the checklist risks relying on invalid information before confirming what the current controlled version is.

C is unnecessary as the first response. You already have enough evidence to note a potential document-control point and verify it during the audit.

D is incorrect because you should not raise a nonconformity before verifying the facts on site. An obsolete-marked document alone does not prove a breach of Clause 7.5.3. A nonconformity must be based on objective evidence gathered during the audit.

ISO 45001 Clause 5.2 OH and S policy requires top management to establish, implement and maintain an OH and S policy that includes a commitment to provide safe and healthy working conditions, fulfill legal and other requirements, and achieve continual improvement of the OH and S management system. It also requires the policy to be communicated within the organization and to be available to interested parties, as appropriate .

B. The management is committed to health and safety improvement is correct because the policy states: “Continual health and safety improvement is a permanent objective of the organisation.” That clearly demonstrates commitment to improvement, which aligns with Clause 5.2.

C. The organisation intends to communicate its policy to external parties is correct because the policy says: “Where required, the policy shall be communicated to all interested parties.” This matches the ISO 45001 requirement that the OH and S policy be available to interested parties, as appropriate.

G. The organisation is committed to continual health and safety improvement is also correct because the statement explicitly says: “Continual health and safety improvement is a permanent objective of the organisation.” This directly reflects the requirement for continual improvement in the OH and S policy.

Why the other options are not supported by the policy statement:

A is not correct because the policy expresses intent to work in accordance with regulations, but it does not prove the organization meets all statutory requirements in practice.

D is not correct because the policy does not provide evidence of reputation.

E is not correct because the policy does not prove that processes actually deliver improvement; it only states commitment.

F is not correct because the policy mentions contractors, but it does not prove that contractors themselves are committed to health and safety.

H is not correct because the policy mentions safe experiences and customers, but it does not prove that customer health and safety requirements are satisfied.

Therefore, the three options for which the organization is meeting ISO 45001 policy requirements are:

B, C, G

The two options that give the strongest cause for concern are E and F .

E. The oil on the floor might spread to other areas of the kitchen is a clear OH and S concern because the spilled oil already presents a slip hazard in the work area and could increase the risk further if it spreads. ISO 45001 requires the organization to eliminate hazards and reduce OH and S risks through operational control. A spreading oil spill shows inadequate control of a workplace hazard and poor housekeeping in an active kitchen environment.

F. Fire protection may be inadequate without adjacent safety equipment is also a strong concern. In a kitchen with hot oil, boiling water, and multiple ignition sources, the absence of visible fire extinguishers or fire blankets raises concern about the adequacy of emergency preparedness and operational control. ISO 45001 requires organizations to establish processes for emergency preparedness and response , including provision for relevant emergency equipment where needed.

Why the other options are weaker:

A is speculative and refers to the storeroom, even though the immediate issue is the unsafe condition in the kitchen.

B is an assumption about workload, not objective evidence of a system failure.

C may be true, but impurities in waste oil are not the key OH and S issue identified here.

D focuses on whether cleaning arrangements are documented, but ISO 45001 does not require every control to be a documented procedure; the stronger evidence is the unsafe condition itself.

Clause 5.1 of ISO 45001:2018 requires top management to demonstrate leadership and commitment to the OH and S management system. This includes awareness of the OH and S policy and its objectives.

Analysis of Options:

A. As a member of the management team, the Deputy College Principal is not aware of the OHSMS policy: Correct. A lack of awareness of the policy reflects poor leadership commitment, which violates Clause 5.1.

B. OH and S improvement is not possible due to the lack of awareness of the OHSMS: Incorrect. While improvement may be hindered, this is not the main issue in this scenario.

C. The Deputy College Principal is not competent to manage the OHSMS: Incorrect. The Deputy’s competence to manage the OHSMS is not in question; the issue is their lack of awareness of key elements.

D. The OH and S policy only exists as a document in the College Principal’s office: Incorrect. The policy may be accessible but not effectively communicated or understood by management.

ISO References:

Clause 5.1: Leadership and commitment.

Clause 5.2: OH and S policy.

Corrections address immediate issues, such as errors or omissions, without addressing root causes. Clause 10.2 of ISO 45001:2018 allows for corrections alongside corrective actions.

Analysis of Options:

A. Adding a missing signature to a corrective action record: Correct. This is a correction addressing an administrative oversight.

B. Changing a process to reduce its inherent risk: Incorrect. This is a corrective action aimed at addressing root causes, not a correction.

C. Changing the name of a tutor that did not deliver a course to the name of the tutor that did: Correct. This corrects an error in records without addressing systemic issues.

D. Reviewing workers’ training records: Incorrect. This is part of ongoing monitoring or auditing, not a correction.

E. Updating the emergency preparedness plan as a result of carrying out a practical test: Incorrect. This is a corrective action resulting from performance evaluation, not a correction.

F. Using OHSMS induction training to address an identified lack of OHSMS awareness among workers: Incorrect. This is a preventive or corrective action, not a correction.

ISO References:

Clause 10.2: Nonconformity and corrective action.

Clause 7.5: Control of documented information

Clause 0.2 of ISO 45001 emphasizes the involvement of top management and alignment of OH and S objectives with the organization’s OH and S policy.

Nonconformities Identified:

The objectives were developed by an external consultant without involving top management, which undermines leadership accountability and commitment.

The objectives were based on a competitor’s framework, not aligned with the organization’s unique OH and S policy or context.

Analysis of Options:

A. Establishing OH and S objectives did not include top management. True. Clause 5.1 (Leadership) and Clause 6.2 (Objectives) emphasize that top management must be involved in defining and supporting OH and S objectives.

B. OH and S objectives are not being implemented by personnel. Implementation relates to operationalization, not the development phase, and is not relevant to Clause 0.2.

C. OH and S objectives are not maintained as documented information. While documentation is required, the absence of documented information is a separate issue under Clause 7.5, not Clause 0.2.

D. OH and S objectives were not established in alignment with the organization’s OH and S policy. True. Clause 6.2.1 requires objectives to align with the OH and S policy, which reflects the organization’s commitment to safety and health.

E. The consultant has not interpreted ISO 45001 correctly. While possibly true, the issue here is the organization’s failure to involve top management, not the consultant’s interpretation.

F. The organization cannot afford to undertake OH and S objectives all at once. Financial constraints are not relevant to Clause 0.2; objectives can be prioritized for phased implementation.

ISO References:

Clause 0.2: Leadership commitment and alignment with organizational policy.

Clause 5.1: Top management’s role in leadership and participation.

Clause 6.2.1: Establishing OH and S objectives aligned with the policy.

Audit objectives for the audit team focus on ensuring the audit process is executed effectively, efficiently, and without causing undue disruption to the organization being audited. ISO 19011:2018 provides guidance on setting audit objectives.

Analysis of Options:

A. To reduce instances of injury and ill health: Incorrect. This is an objective of the OH and S management system, not of the audit itself.

B. To minimise risk resulting from the audit process: Correct. ISO 19011 emphasizes managing risks to the auditee and the audit process during audits (Clause 5.4).

C. To improve overall health and safety performance: Incorrect. Improving health and safety performance is an outcome of the OH and S management system, not the audit team ' s objective.

D. To complete the audit on time: Correct. Ensuring timely completion of the audit aligns with effective audit management.

E. To implement any necessary corrective action: Incorrect. Implementing corrective actions is the auditee’s responsibility, not the audit team’s.