Unit of competency Outline
Date retreived
22/07/2026 10:23 PM AWST
22/07/2026 10:23 PM AWST
Whilst all efforts are made to provide accurate and timely information from the relevant source/documentation, please be aware that the information supplied may not be the most current version. The accuracy of the detail has not been confirmed by the Department and therefore should not be relied upon without first confirming the contents.
Conduct an OHS audit
Conduct an OHS audit
Unit of competency
National Code
BSBOHS608B
BSBOHS608B
State Code
D0919
D0919
TGA Status
Replaced
Replaced
DTWD Status
Replaced
Replaced
State Implementation and Classification
Approved Date
31/07/2014
Field of Education
061301 - Occupational Health And Safety
Original Release Date
31/07/2014
Nominal Hours
60
Description
This unit describes the performance outcomes, skills and knowledge required to conduct an internal or external occupational health and safety (OHS) audit that may or may not be part of certification against a recognised benchmark.It involves systematic examination against audit criteria to determine conformance with planned arrangements and the effectiveness of the organisation's approaches to managing OHS.No licensing, legislative, regulatory or certification requirements apply to this unit at the time of endorsement.
Notes
Elements and Performance Criteria
1. Plan an OHS audit
- 1.1. Define the scope, objectives and benchmark of the audit
- 1.2. Identify and obtain relevant documentation, including preliminary material, on the operation of the organisation
- 1.3. Identify and arrange resources required to conduct the audit
- 1.4. Assign timing, schedule and responsibilities for the audit
2. Develop an OHS audit plan
- 2.1. Ensure nature of information and data collected provides valid and reliable evidence of the systematic approach to managing OHS and risk controls within the context of the organisation
- 2.2. Include in sources of evidence key personnel and stakeholders
- 2.3. Ensure information and data collection strategies address issues of security, confidentiality, impartiality and equity
- 2.4. Include opportunities for corroborating evidence in information and data collection strategies
- 2.5. Develop and document the audit plan and submit to client
- 2.6. Modify the audit plan as a result of client input and preliminary trialling, and to adapt to contingencies as they arise
- 2.7. Re-submit audit plan to client for comment as appropriate
- 2.8. Negotiate issues concerning the audit plan with the client and amend documents where required
3. Develop an OHS audit tool
- 3.1. Ensure audit tool/s accurately reflect the criteria of the benchmark, nature of risks, identified relevant information and data types
- 3.2. Ensure audit tools focus on evaluation of performance of the OHS management processes
- 3.3. Ensure audit tools can be used with consistent outcomes by all members of the audit team
- 3.4. Enable audit tools to collect evidence in a timely and efficient manner
- 3.5. Modify audit tools as a result of preliminary trial/s
4. Gather information, data and OHS records
- 4.1. Consult a broad range of workplace personnel during evidence gathering activities throughout the audit
- 4.2. Gather types and sources of evidence, compare this evidence with the audit plan and identify reasons for discrepancies
- 4.3. Identify and use alternative methods when evidence is not forthcoming using planned methods
- 4.4. Check information and data reliability with a number of sources
5. Undertake OHS audit activities
- 5.1. Undertake preliminary evaluation
- 5.2. Undertake initial meetings and worksite familiarisation
- 5.3. Monitor progress of the audit plan with the client and/or audit team members to ensure resources are being used as planned, and that the audit objectives and audit time lines are being achieved
- 5.4. Progressively document and retain records of evidence and findings, in an appropriate format
- 5.5. Report in a prompt manner to the appropriate person/s, including supervisor and/or person in control of the workplace, hazards identified during the audit
- 5.6. Address own health and safety during the audit in accordance with organisational requirements and standards for safe work practices
- 5.7. Ensure information and data collection and evaluation activities comply with legal requirements and are carried out ethically
- 5.8. Undertake exit meetings with key personnel and stakeholders as appropriate
6. Report on the outcomes of the OHS audit
- 6.1. Present summary audit findings and recommendations to the client at the closing meeting, after consultation with key personnel and stakeholders
- 6.2. Compare results of the evaluation against the audit criteria
- 6.3. Present objective evidence with clear and concise findings, including benefits to be achieved by adoption of the audit report recommendations
- 6.4. Anticipate possible challenges to the report and prepare further explanations to promote acceptance
- 6.5. Recommend to the client corrective action and follow-up processes
Australian or international standards
industry standards
standards developed by OHS authorities
standards developed internally by the organisation or by commercial organisations
codes of practice
guidance material
industry standards
OHS legislation
organisational documents
equipment
specialist personnel
claims
legal reports
complaints
hazard logs
incident and injury reports
enforcement notices and actions
surveillance audits
information and data changes since last audit such as new equipment, processes, products, substances or projects
interviews with management, supervisors, work groups, employees and other parties across a range of levels and roles including:
health and safety representatives
OHS committee members
design personnel
contractors
management system documentation including:
policies and procedures
position descriptions
duty statements
observations in the workplace, work operations and records
operational documentation including:
completed forms
schedules
checklists
log books
minutes of meetings
action plans
maintenance reports
health surveillance records
previous management system reports and industry risk profiles
reports and management reviews
training materials and records
comprehensive set of processes that are combined in a methodical and ordered manner to minimise the risk of injury or ill health in the workplace such as:
allocation of resources
review and evaluation for ongoing OHS improvement
communication and consultation
hazard management
processes of OHS planning
record keeping and reporting
training and competency
management, persons in control of the workplace, supervisors
employees and other parties across a range of levels and roles including:
health and safety representatives
OHS committee members
design personnel
where appropriate, contractors
customers/clients
information and data required to be on hand
locations to be inspected
meetings to be scheduled, people to be interviewed
personnel involved
sampling methodology including statistical measures
scope of audit
time lines
instruments for collecting evidence and conducting the analysis and evaluation (they are not the same as the audit criteria or benchmark), which may be:
adapted from existing tools
developed specifically for the purpose
purchased or accessed from existing tools
and may include:
descriptions of required characteristics to be checked
limitations for and instructions for use
performance checklists
sets of questions to be asked
alternate sampling methodologies
alternative information and data
discussion groups
how evidence deficiencies will be addressed
interviewing
modified audit checklists
observation
surveys
off-site consultations
reviews of relevant organisational documentation, information and data
information and data obtained through observation, measurement, tests or other means
agreed meeting date with the client organisation, following sufficient time for implementation of corrective actions, and may include:
checks of the rigour of original audit findings
provision of new non-conformance report/s if required
verification of effectiveness of recommendations and control action/s, particularly in correction of non-compliance
industry standards
standards developed by OHS authorities
standards developed internally by the organisation or by commercial organisations
codes of practice
guidance material
industry standards
OHS legislation
organisational documents
equipment
specialist personnel
claims
legal reports
complaints
hazard logs
incident and injury reports
enforcement notices and actions
surveillance audits
information and data changes since last audit such as new equipment, processes, products, substances or projects
interviews with management, supervisors, work groups, employees and other parties across a range of levels and roles including:
health and safety representatives
OHS committee members
design personnel
contractors
management system documentation including:
policies and procedures
position descriptions
duty statements
observations in the workplace, work operations and records
operational documentation including:
completed forms
schedules
checklists
log books
minutes of meetings
action plans
maintenance reports
health surveillance records
previous management system reports and industry risk profiles
reports and management reviews
training materials and records
comprehensive set of processes that are combined in a methodical and ordered manner to minimise the risk of injury or ill health in the workplace such as:
allocation of resources
review and evaluation for ongoing OHS improvement
communication and consultation
hazard management
processes of OHS planning
record keeping and reporting
training and competency
management, persons in control of the workplace, supervisors
employees and other parties across a range of levels and roles including:
health and safety representatives
OHS committee members
design personnel
where appropriate, contractors
customers/clients
information and data required to be on hand
locations to be inspected
meetings to be scheduled, people to be interviewed
personnel involved
sampling methodology including statistical measures
scope of audit
time lines
instruments for collecting evidence and conducting the analysis and evaluation (they are not the same as the audit criteria or benchmark), which may be:
adapted from existing tools
developed specifically for the purpose
purchased or accessed from existing tools
and may include:
descriptions of required characteristics to be checked
limitations for and instructions for use
performance checklists
sets of questions to be asked
alternate sampling methodologies
alternative information and data
discussion groups
how evidence deficiencies will be addressed
interviewing
modified audit checklists
observation
surveys
off-site consultations
reviews of relevant organisational documentation, information and data
information and data obtained through observation, measurement, tests or other means
agreed meeting date with the client organisation, following sufficient time for implementation of corrective actions, and may include:
checks of the rigour of original audit findings
provision of new non-conformance report/s if required
verification of effectiveness of recommendations and control action/s, particularly in correction of non-compliance
Overview of assessment
Critical aspects for assessment and evidence required to demonstrate competency in this unit
Evidence of the following is essential:
conduct of an internal or external OHS audit. ensuring underpinning knowledge of hazard identification, risk assessment and OHS risk management approaches are reflected in the audit tool/s and the methods used for collecting evidence
products developed for the design and development of audit plans, tools, associated documentation and the systematic examination against defined criteria to determine conformance to planned arrangements
how these products were developed
use of these products
knowledge of auditing methods and techniques.
Context of and specific resources for assessment
Assessment must ensure:
access to organisation documentation, information and data
access to workplace, including personnel involved in areas audited.
Method of assessment
A range of assessment methods should be used to assess practical skills and knowledge. The following examples are appropriate for this unit:
analysis of responses to case studies and scenarios
direct questioning combined with review of portfolios of evidence and third party reports of on-the-job performance by the candidate
demonstration of techniques used in conducting an OHS audit
observation of performance in role plays
observation of presentations
oral or written questioning to assess knowledge of nature of workplace processes (including work flow, planning and control) and hazards relevant to the particular workplace
review of audit plan
evaluation of audit tools developed and appropriateness of modifications
assessment of reporting on hazards identified during the audit
review of audit findings and recommendations.
Guidance information for assessment
Holistic assessment with other units relevant to the industry sector, workplace and job role is recommended, for example:
BSBOHS609B Evaluate an organisation's OHS performance.
Critical aspects for assessment and evidence required to demonstrate competency in this unit
Evidence of the following is essential:
conduct of an internal or external OHS audit. ensuring underpinning knowledge of hazard identification, risk assessment and OHS risk management approaches are reflected in the audit tool/s and the methods used for collecting evidence
products developed for the design and development of audit plans, tools, associated documentation and the systematic examination against defined criteria to determine conformance to planned arrangements
how these products were developed
use of these products
knowledge of auditing methods and techniques.
Context of and specific resources for assessment
Assessment must ensure:
access to organisation documentation, information and data
access to workplace, including personnel involved in areas audited.
Method of assessment
A range of assessment methods should be used to assess practical skills and knowledge. The following examples are appropriate for this unit:
analysis of responses to case studies and scenarios
direct questioning combined with review of portfolios of evidence and third party reports of on-the-job performance by the candidate
demonstration of techniques used in conducting an OHS audit
observation of performance in role plays
observation of presentations
oral or written questioning to assess knowledge of nature of workplace processes (including work flow, planning and control) and hazards relevant to the particular workplace
review of audit plan
evaluation of audit tools developed and appropriateness of modifications
assessment of reporting on hazards identified during the audit
review of audit findings and recommendations.
Guidance information for assessment
Holistic assessment with other units relevant to the industry sector, workplace and job role is recommended, for example:
BSBOHS609B Evaluate an organisation's OHS performance.
Replaces
| State Code | National Code | Title | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| C7809 | BSBOHS608A | Conduct an OHS audit | Unit of competency |
Replaced By
| State Code | National Code | Title | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| WE748 | BSBWHS606A | Conduct a WHS audit | Unit of competency |
| State Code | National Code | Title | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| D728 | FNS60811 | Advanced Diploma of Integrated Risk Management | Qualification |
| D721 | FNS50811 | Diploma of Integrated Risk Management | Qualification |
| D186 | BSB60607 | Advanced Diploma of Occupational Health and Safety | Qualification |