Lead Auditor
ISO 45001 Lead Auditor
2026 edition
Self-paced PECB training delivered via myPECB.
Global training partner Aegentra is an official PECB authorised training partner and an official CompTIA partner.
Audit an occupational health and safety management system rather than build one. Covers ISO 45001 requirements across Clauses 4 to 10 from an auditor’s perspective, the auditing guidelines of ISO 19011, and the certification process requirements of ISO/IEC 17021-1 — audit preparation and initiation, on-site activities, drafting findings, closing the audit, and managing an audit programme. Concludes with the official PECB certifying exam.
- Typical study effort
- 35–45 hours
- CPD credits
- 31
- Course languages
- English
Who it is for
- Auditors interested in performing and leading OH&S MS certification audits
- Managers and consultants advancing their OH&S MS audit knowledge
- Internal auditors responsible for ISO 45001 conformity
- Technical experts preparing for an OH&S MS audit
- Expert advisers in occupational health and safety management
What you will learn
- Explain the fundamental concepts and principles of an OH&S management system based on ISO 45001.
- Interpret the ISO 45001 requirements from the perspective of an auditor.
- Evaluate OH&S MS conformity to ISO 45001 requirements.
- Plan, conduct, and close an ISO 45001 compliance audit in accordance with ISO/IEC 17021-1 requirements and ISO 19011 guidelines.
- Manage an ISO 45001 audit programme.
Course content
Day 1 — Introduction to the OH&S MS and ISO 45001
- Fundamental principles and concepts of an OH&S management system
- Standards, regulatory frameworks, and the certification process
- ISO 45001 requirements — Clauses 4 to 10 from an auditor’s perspective
Day 2 — Audit principles and preparing for and initiating an audit
- Fundamental audit concepts and principles
- Evidence-based auditing
- Risk-based auditing
- Initiation of the audit process
- Stage 1 audit
Day 3 — On-site audit activities
- Preparing for the Stage 2 audit
- Stage 2 audit
- Communication during the audit
- Audit procedures and audit test plans
- Auditing hazard identification, worker participation, and operational control
Day 4 — Closing the audit
- Drafting audit findings and nonconformity reports
- Audit documentation and quality review
- Closing of the audit
- Evaluation of action plans by the auditor
- Managing an audit programme
Day 5 — Certification exam
- PECB Certified ISO 45001 Lead Auditor exam
- Seven competency domains
Prerequisites
- A fundamental understanding of ISO 45001 and a comprehensive knowledge of audit principles — PECB’s published prerequisite for this course.
- Prior audit experience is helpful but not required — audit method is taught from first principles under ISO 19011.
The exam
- Format
- Open-book, multiple-choice
- Duration
- 3 hours
- Questions
- 80 multiple-choice questions in the current English PECB examination record
- Pass mark
- 70%
What is included
Course materials
- PECB ISO 45001 Lead Auditor slide deck (digital)
- Over 450 pages of instructional materials with explanations, guidance, and practical examples
- 12 months access via myPECB
- Attestation of course completion worth 31 CPD credits
Exam package
- Certification and examination fees included in the course price
- Exam covering seven competency domains
- First exam attempt plus one free retake within 12 months
- PECB Provisional / Auditor / Lead Auditor credential on pass